Orthognathic Surgery
Improve Speaking, Chewing, and Breathing
Also called corrective jaw surgery, orthognathic surgery is a life-changing procedure in which an oral and maxillofacial surgeon corrects the alignment of the jaws. As part of their training, oral surgeons like Dr. Karas and Dr. Williams, undergo extensive training in the delicate process of surgically aligning the upper and lower jaws, as well as safely administering all forms of anesthesia.
Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery in Walnut Creek, CA, is happy to work with your orthodontist or care team to ensure your jaw surgery treatment is as beneficial and successful as possible.
When To Have Corrective Jaw Surgery
Dr. Karas and Dr. Williams will work with your dentist and/or orthodontist to determine whether orthognathic surgery is needed to correct oral health issues. You or your child may require jaw surgery if you experience any of the following:
- Chronic jaw pain, TMJ disorders, or headaches
- An open bite where your upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed
- Birth defects
- Facial trauma
- Inability to make the lips touch
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Excessive teeth wear
- Protruding jaw or receding chin
Orthognathic Surgery Procedure
During your first visit, Dr. Karas or Dr. Williams will take detailed 3D images of your teeth and facial structures. We offer several anesthesia and sedation options for your comfort during any procedure, although patients will undergo general anesthesia during jaw surgery.
Prior to surgery, you will wear braces to move your teeth into their proper positions. The surgery itself will last for several hours, depending on the complexity of your condition.
Dr. Karas or Dr. Williams may need to add, reshape, or take away bone. Surgical plates and screws will secure the jaws in their new locations. Some cases require incisions from the outside of the mouth, in which case we minimize the appearance of any possible scarring.
Your recovery is crucial to the overall success of your procedure, and our office provides detailed post-operative instructions that will explain everything you need to know. If you ever have questions about your treatment at any stage, please contact our office. Our skilled staff is happy to help.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Orthognathic Surgery and other procedures.
" Everyone here was just so welcoming and understanding about this whole process. Dr. Karas is very composed and [is] such a professional. Dr. Karas makes me feel so comfortable every time I see him. This surgery has been life-changing. I eat and chew so much better now. My confidence has skyrocketed, and I just feel more free to be myself."
"The staff here are fun. They are extremely kind and extremely caring, and you can tell that they care for every patient that comes through the door. My experience here was absolutely amazing. I have a healthy smile now and it’s all thanks to Dr. Karas and his team. "
"When I first walked into the practice, I felt refreshed. It's a very new and modern environment and everybody was really welcoming at the front desk. Dr. Karas for me from the moment I met him just made me feel like family. Very warm, very professional."
" When I first walked into this practice, I felt that I was the most important person in that moment, and that was important to me. Dr. Karas has a way of relating to his patients. I felt comfortable with him in terms of his professionalism and care. The staff explained everything to me and made me feel at ease."
"Dr. Karas did an amazing job, and I was very happy with the work he did. I could tell that I was working with a professional and it really showed. The staff are very friendly and caring, and they make you feel very special."
"The staff here are very personable, outgoing, and friendly, and very accommodating. Having this dental implant has given me a really new outlook on life and I'm so happy I did it. I have a beautiful, healthy smile now, and it’s all thanks to Dr. Karas and his team."
"Dr. Karas is a very warm and professional person. He makes me feel secure. I feel that he knows what he’s doing, and I felt like I was in the best hands possible. My overall experience has been absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend Dr. Karas and his team."
"Everyone here was just kind, friendly, and caring. Dr. Karas made me feel like he really cared about my needs and concerns. He talked to me in a way about my procedure that I could really understand, and I felt comfortable after my first consultation with him. I’m very happy that I chose this practice to have my procedure done."
" Everybody here really made me feel at home and at ease. Dr. Karas is a very friendly and professional person. I really knew I was in good hands with him. I had complete confidence that he would do an amazing job, and he did. I had an amazing experience here."
How Can We Help You?
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