Jaw Surgery
Reshape Your Smile
Patients who are suffering from bite misalignment, facial pain, TMJ disorders, or who have experienced a traumatic injury often turn to jaw surgery to help. Jaw surgery has the potential to completely change a patient's life and can drastically improve the ability to eat, speak, and even breathe. Oral surgeons are specially qualified to perform jaw surgery because they have completed many years of extensive hands-on training in a hospital environment and help to ensure the jaw and face both function and heal properly throughout treatment.
Some of our jaw surgery patients have shared their experiences with us. We encourage you to listen to them to learn more about the procedure and how jaw surgery could benefit you.
Jaw surgery is often known as orthognathic surgery. This procedure is used when nonsurgical procedures are unable to correct jaw issues. Jaw surgery is a perfect treatment for a patient who has experienced a facial injury, growth problems, TMJ disorders, orthodontic problems, or other unique obstacles. Issues with the jaw or TMJ should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent future problems, restore jaw function, and create a balanced facial appearance. Here at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, our first-class oral surgeon, Robert B. Ioppolo, DDS, has years of experience correcting jaw problems through corrective jaw surgery.
Jaw Surgery Corrective Improvements
Growth problems, injuries, and other jaw issues can make many everyday activities more difficult. Many of these complications affect your ability to eat, communicate, and breathe comfortably. Patients who decide to undergo jaw surgery often see many benefits:
- Reduced pain/discomfort
- Improved jaw function (eating, breathing, etc.)
- Less wear on teeth (due to improved tooth alignment)
- Improved facial appearance
Signs That Jaw Surgery is Right for You
Any of the symptoms listed below may be reason to consult with a jaw specialist:
- Breathing problems or sleep apnea
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
- Problems closing your mouth completely
- Alignment problems or poor fit when biting down on your teeth
- Chronic pain in your jaw
- Difficulty or tightness when opening your mouth wide
If you or your dentist notices any of these issues, you may want to come in for a consultation with Dr. Ioppolo. He will be able to help you decide if jaw surgery is your next step.
Orthognathic Surgery Procedure
Jaw surgery can be used to treat many problems, but the main goals of surgery are usually to improve jaw function and bite alignment while also maintaining a balanced facial appearance. Your oral surgeon and your orthodontist will work as a team to carry out your specific treatment plan.
The treatment process usually involves wearing braces for a few months before your procedure. Once your teeth are prepared for their new alignment, you will come in for your surgery appointment. After administering the proper anesthetic, Dr. Ioppolo will separate the portion of the jaw that needs movement and replace it in its new position. Usually, tiny plates, screws, or wires will secure your jaw in place. These devices will be impossible to see from the outside, and because they are made of biocompatible materials, such as titanium, they will not need to be removed after the procedure. After the procedure is finished, you will rest until your anesthetic wears off.
Sometimes, patients can return home the same day as their procedure, but most of the time, an overnight stay will be required the night of the surgery. After returning home, patients will have to rest and recover while the bone heals. Usually, the first week is the hardest; then things start to get easier. Your surgeon will provide you with pain medication to help control any discomfort. You will also receive instructions for post-operative care. Maintaining a soft foods diet and getting lots of rest will be important, especially for the first couple of weeks. After the jaw has healed fully, your orthodontist will make any fine adjustments to your braces.
Types of Anesthesia
Depending on your procedure, you will receive one of the following forms of anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Orthognathic Surgery in Lubbock, TX
Jaw surgery can be life-changing for patients who suffer from chronic jaw pain, over or underbite, or other jaw development problems. To learn more about this procedure, feel free to contact our office. One of our staff members will be happy to help you schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Jaw Surgery and other procedures.
"I would describe Dr. Ioppolo as very friendly, warming, engaging. He’s super detail-oriented, which I loved, especially about a surgeon. The surgery went really quickly. It went off perfectly. The results were phenomenal."
"I came to see Dr. Ioppolo to have my wisdom teeth removed. The office is very friendly. There's a nice atmosphere going on, and everyone is very helpful. Dr. Ioppolo is wonderful. He has a great manner, he's very kind, and he puts you at ease."
"Everybody at this office is very sweet and very accommodating. They walk you through the whole process before it happens, so you don’t feel like you’re being hit out of left field with something. Dr. Ioppolo is very endearing. He just makes you feel comfortable with what to expect."
"This office is very welcoming. The staff is really friendly. It’s like coming home. When you hire Dr. Ioppolo as your doctor, you’re not only hiring a great doctor, you’re actually going with a friend—a trusted person. I was impressed."
"The first time I met Dr. Ioppolo, I was very impressed and fell in love with him right away. I wanted to be his grandmother forever. Yet, it was a little nerve-racking, and one of the nurses sat there and patted my hands through the whole ordeal, and I think I was as comfortable as I could have been anywhere. The staff is wonderful."
"The staff was great — very friendly, very helpful. Dr. Ioppolo was great, put my mind at ease. The procedure was actually really smooth. We had an appointment within a week of actually coming in the first time, which was fantastic."
"I came to see Dr. Ioppolo because I needed my wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Ioppolo is a great guy. He’s very meticulous in what he does, and so that’s the person you want doing your surgery when you have a surgery done like this. So, you could tell that from the moment we had our initial meeting that he was going to take care of things and make sure things were done right."
"When I came in for my procedure, it probably took longer to just get set up, having the gas and all that. As far as the procedure goes, he came in, and within five seconds, he was gone. It was super fast. I highly recommend Dr. Ioppolo and his staff because they are very wonderful and great people, and they make the process completely painless, and it was a very easy thing."
"I had a wisdom teeth extraction, and Dr. Ioppolo was my doctor, and then we put in an implant. When I first met Dr. Ioppolo, he was very soothing. He was a great guy, first off. He explained front to back what was going to happen."
Outstanding Oral Surgery Services Driven By Faith and Expertise
At Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, we are dedicated to restoring optimal oral health through a variety of oral surgery procedures. Through our work, we serve our God-given purpose of serving our incredible community. When you walk into our practice, you are not just a patient—you’re a welcome member of our family who will leave here with a better and more beautiful smile. We look forward to welcoming you soon.