Jaw surgery in Vijayawada usually means orthognathic surgery: moving the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both, so that the teeth meet properly and the face sits in better balance. It is a major, planned operation, often the end point of many years of living with a bite that braces alone could not correct. At GIA Clinics it is led by Dr Sai Santosh, working with our orthodontists.
Problems it can correct
- An underbite, where the lower jaw sits too far forward
- A large overbite, or a small, set-back lower jaw
- An open bite, where the front teeth do not meet
- A chin that is set back, too prominent or off-centre
Mild differences can sometimes be managed with braces alone. When the jaw itself is out of position, moving teeth only hides the problem. A genioplasty, which reshapes the chin, can be done alone or alongside jaw surgery.
Why braces come first
This surprises many patients. Before surgery, braces line up the teeth so that they will fit together once the jaw has moved. This stage often takes 6 to 18 months, and your bite may feel worse for a time. After surgery, braces fine-tune the result.
The whole timeline
From start to finish, treatment often runs 12 to 24 months:
- Consultation with Dr Sai and an orthodontist
- Records: photographs, X-rays, digital scans and, where needed, a CT scan
- Braces before surgery
- Surgery in a hospital, under general anaesthesia
- Soft diet and reviews, then final braces work
The jaw is repositioned from inside the mouth and held with small plates and screws.
When it is usually done
Jaw surgery is usually done after the face has finished growing, so teenagers may be asked to wait. Gum disease and untreated decay should be dealt with first.
Questions to think over
Consider how the problem affects your chewing, speech or confidence, and whether you can commit to the long timeline. Ask how your face is likely to change. Jaw joint pain, clicking or locking, any medical conditions and smoking should all be raised early.
Taking the first step
A consultation commits you to nothing. Call or WhatsApp Gunadala on 090772 93949 or Gurunanak Colony on 092814 93949 and ask for a jaw assessment with Dr Sai Santosh.