Jaw Surgery for Underbite & Overbite
Correct Jaw Alignment & Improve Your Bite
Improve Your Bite With Jaw Surgery in Virginia Beach
An underbite or overbite can involve more than the position of your teeth. When the upper and lower jaws have developed out of alignment, orthodontics alone may not be enough to create a functional bite. Jaw surgery in Virginia Beach can reposition the jaws to address significant skeletal discrepancies and improve the way your upper and lower teeth come together.
Eastern Virginia OMS provides corrective jaw surgery for patients whose bite concerns stem from the size, shape, or position of the jaws. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons bring extensive surgical training to these complex cases and coordinate treatment with the patient's orthodontist. Detailed imaging and careful surgical planning help determine how the jaws should be repositioned to create better alignment.
Correcting the underlying skeletal problem can improve bite function while also creating changes in facial balance and jaw relationships. Your treatment plan is developed around your individual anatomy and functional needs.
Correct the Jaw Imbalance Behind Your Bite
A significant underbite or overbite may develop when the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both grow into positions that prevent the teeth from meeting properly. Orthodontic treatment can move teeth within the jaws, but it cannot always correct a substantial discrepancy in the position of the jawbones themselves. That's where orthognathic, or corrective jaw, surgery may become part of treatment.
With an underbite, the lower teeth sit noticeably in front of the upper teeth when the mouth closes. An overbite related to skeletal jaw position can occur when the lower jaw sits too far behind the upper jaw or another discrepancy affects the relationship between them. Depending on your anatomy, surgery may reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to create a more balanced relationship.
Corrective jaw treatment is typically planned collaboratively. Orthodontic care helps position the teeth appropriately before and after surgery, while the oral and maxillofacial surgeon plans and performs the skeletal correction. Because these cases require precise coordination, treatment progresses through carefully planned stages rather than a single procedure.
Schedule a consultation with Eastern Virginia OMS to determine whether jaw surgery in Virginia Beach could improve your bite, jaw alignment, and function.
Fix an Underbite
Reposition the jaws when skeletal alignment causes the lower teeth and jaw to project too far forward relative to the upper jaw.
Address an Overbite
Correct significant jaw-position discrepancies that cause the upper and lower jaws to meet in an imbalanced relationship.
Improve Chewing Function
Better jaw alignment can help the upper and lower teeth meet more effectively when biting and chewing.
Create Better Jaw Balance
Corrective jaw surgery changes underlying skeletal relationships, which can also improve balance among the jaw and facial structures.
Coordinate With Orthodontics
Your surgeon and orthodontist work together to align the teeth and jaws as part of a carefully sequenced treatment plan.
Treat the Skeletal Cause
Orthognathic surgery addresses significant jawbone discrepancies that cannot be corrected by moving the teeth with orthodontics alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jaw Surgery for Underbite & Overbite
Q What is corrective jaw surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, repositions one or both jaws to improve significant skeletal alignment problems. It may be recommended when the upper and lower jaws do not meet properly and orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct the underlying discrepancy. Treatment is planned according to the patient's anatomy and bite.
Q Can jaw surgery correct an underbite?
Q Can corrective jaw surgery treat an overbite?
Jaw surgery can correct significant overbites that are related to skeletal discrepancies rather than tooth position alone. For example, the lower jaw may sit too far behind the upper jaw. When orthodontics cannot adequately correct the underlying jaw relationship, orthognathic surgery may be recommended to reposition the jawbones and create a more functional bite.
Q How do I know whether I need orthodontics or jaw surgery?
Orthodontics moves teeth within the jawbones, while corrective jaw surgery changes the position of the jaws themselves. Many patients with significant skeletal bite discrepancies require both. An orthodontic and surgical evaluation can determine whether tooth movement alone can produce an appropriate bite or whether the underlying jaw position also needs correction.
Q Do I need braces before corrective jaw surgery?
Many orthognathic surgery patients receive orthodontic treatment as part of the overall process. Braces or another appropriate orthodontic approach can position the teeth in preparation for their new relationship after the jaws are repositioned. Orthodontic treatment may also continue after surgery to refine the final bite.
Q What happens during orthognathic surgery?
During orthognathic surgery, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon carefully repositions the jawbone according to the surgical plan. Treatment may involve the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, depending on the underlying discrepancy. The repositioned jaw is stabilized so the bone can heal in its corrected relationship.
Q Will corrective jaw surgery change my appearance?
Because the jaws contribute to facial structure, repositioning them during surgery can produce changes in facial proportions and balance. However, corrective jaw surgery is planned primarily around the patient's skeletal relationship, bite, and functional needs. Your surgeon can discuss anticipated changes based on the specific movements included in your treatment plan.
Q How long does recovery take after jaw surgery?
Recovery from corrective jaw surgery occurs in stages and takes longer than recovery from a routine oral surgery procedure. Swelling and dietary restrictions are expected during early healing, and normal activities are resumed gradually. Bone healing and orthodontic refinement continue beyond the initial recovery period, so patients receive detailed instructions and ongoing follow-up.
