Surgical Orthodontics in North San Antonio, TX

Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery when significant jaw differences cannot be fully addressed by moving the teeth alone. At VV Orthodontics, our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Saritha Chary-Reddy, provides surgical orthodontic care in North San Antonio, Texas, and coordinates treatment with oral and maxillofacial surgeons or other surgical specialists when jaw surgery is appropriate.

Dr. Reddy regularly prepares and manages surgical orthodontic cases, including treatment before and after surgery. With more than 21 years of orthodontic experience and more than 15,000 orthodontic cases completed, she also evaluates complex bite and jaw concerns, impacted teeth, referred cases and second opinions to help determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your needs.

What Is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, sometimes called orthognathic treatment, is used when the position or growth of your jaws creates a bite or facial imbalance that orthodontic treatment alone may not be able to correct. In these situations, orthodontics is used to position your teeth appropriately, while jaw surgery changes the relationship of the upper jaw, lower jaw or both.

Your treatment is carefully planned so the orthodontic and surgical portions work together. The goal is not simply to straighten your teeth, but to improve the relationship between your teeth and jaws while considering bite function, facial balance and long-term stability.

When Might Jaw Surgery Be Recommended?

Not every severe bite problem requires surgery. Depending on your diagnosis, age, facial structure and treatment goals, some concerns can be managed with braces, clear aligners, dentofacial orthopedics or growth-modification treatment.

Surgical orthodontics may be considered when you have a significant jaw discrepancy that cannot be adequately corrected with orthodontic tooth movement alone. Concerns may include:

• A lower jaw that sits significantly too far forward or backward
• A substantial mismatch between the upper and lower jaws
• Severe bite problems related to jaw position
• Facial asymmetry associated with skeletal imbalance
• Functional concerns related to the way your teeth and jaws meet
• Complex orthodontic problems that require coordinated jaw correction

If you are still growing, earlier treatment may sometimes help guide jaw development. Our early orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedic services address selected growth-related concerns when treatment at an earlier stage is appropriate.

How Surgical Orthodontic Treatment Works

Surgical orthodontic treatment typically takes place in stages. Your exact sequence depends on your diagnosis and the surgical plan developed for you.

• Orthodontic preparation before surgery: Your teeth may need to be repositioned before surgery so they will fit together properly once your jaws are moved into their planned positions. This part of treatment commonly involves braces, although the appropriate orthodontic appliance depends on your case.
• Corrective jaw surgery: Once your teeth and bite are adequately prepared, your surgeon performs the planned jaw procedure. Dr. Reddy coordinates with the surgical team so the orthodontic and surgical goals remain aligned throughout treatment.
• Orthodontic treatment after surgery: After your initial surgical healing, orthodontic treatment continues as needed to refine tooth positions and your bite. Our orthodontist monitors your progress and makes adjustments based on how your teeth and jaws come together following surgery.

This coordinated process is one reason surgical orthodontics requires careful planning. Your orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery are not separate goals; they are parts of the same overall treatment plan.

Who Performs the Jaw Surgery?

Our office provides the orthodontic portion of your care, including diagnosis, orthodontic preparation, coordination and post-surgical treatment. The jaw surgery itself is performed by an appropriately trained surgical specialist, such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Our orthodontist works with your surgical team throughout the process so everyone involved understands the treatment goals and planned jaw and tooth positions. Depending on your needs, this coordination may also involve other dental or medical professionals.

Experience With Complex Orthodontic Cases

Complex bite and jaw problems require more than a standard orthodontic approach. Dr. Reddy has extensive experience managing surgical orthodontic cases and coordinating treatment before and after jaw surgery. She also evaluates difficult referred cases and patients seeking second opinions when the diagnosis or treatment options are not straightforward.

Her orthodontic training included research involving genetic disorders associated with dental and facial anomalies, and her treatment planning considers tooth position, jaw relationships, facial proportions and overall balance. That perspective is especially important when your orthodontic treatment affects not only your smile but also the relationship between your upper and lower jaws.

Our office also uses digital imaging, intraoral scanning and digital treatment-planning technology to support diagnosis and treatment coordination.

Can Orthodontic Treatment Avoid Jaw Surgery?

Whether surgery can be avoided depends on your diagnosis. Some bite problems can be managed successfully with orthodontic treatment alone, while others involve a skeletal jaw discrepancy that cannot be predictably corrected by moving the teeth.

For growing children and teens, appropriately timed growth-modification treatment may help improve certain developing jaw relationships. Appliances such as the Herbst appliance or Carriere® Distalizer™ may be considered for selected conditions, depending on the type of jaw or bite problem.

If you have finished growing, the available options depend on the severity and cause of your concern. During your evaluation, our orthodontist can explain whether orthodontic treatment alone may be appropriate or whether coordinated surgical care should be considered.

What If I Have Already Been Told I Need Jaw Surgery?

If another provider has recommended corrective jaw surgery, you may still have questions about the diagnosis, timing or orthodontic portion of treatment. We evaluate complex referred cases and provide second opinions for patients who want a clearer understanding of their options.

A second opinion does not necessarily mean the original recommendation was incorrect. It gives you another opportunity to review your bite, jaw relationships and treatment goals and understand why surgery has or has not been recommended. If surgical treatment is appropriate, we can discuss the orthodontic steps involved and how your care would be coordinated.

Impacted Teeth and Other Complex Orthodontic Concerns

Not every complex orthodontic case involves jaw surgery. Dr. Reddy also treats conditions such as impacted canines and other difficult tooth-positioning problems that may require coordinated care with another dental specialist.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may involve orthodontic space creation, surgical exposure of an impacted tooth or another carefully planned approach. The goal is to determine what your specific condition requires rather than assuming that every complex case should be managed the same way.

Schedule a Surgical Orthodontic Consultation

If you have been told that you may need corrective jaw surgery, have a significant bite or jaw concern, or would like a second opinion about a complex orthodontic treatment plan, we can help you better understand your options.

Call VV Orthodontics at 830-266-9555 or contact our office to schedule a surgical orthodontic consultation in North San Antonio, TX, with our orthodontist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Orthodontics