Surgical Options for Chronic Jaw Pain
Suffering from jaw pain constantly can be a horrible experience, making you feel miserable 24/7. Whether you’re working or simply resting, you will always have aching jaws. Eating can be even more painful and merely taking over the counter meds may not help.
In cases like these, the only way to rid yourself of the pain is choosing a surgical option. Orthoganthic surgery is arguably the most common type of jaw surgery out there. The procedure is relatively straightforward and can help relieve a great deal of pain.
Why Do People Suffer from Jaw Pain
Chronic jaw pain can happen because of numerous reasons, with jaw misalignment is arguably the biggest ones. The jaw consists of the following parts: the maxilla, upper jawbone, mandible, and lower jaw bones.
There are three common types of jaw misalignments, which surgical procedures can help fix. They are:
Open Bite: This is when lower and upper jaws don’t meet when you close your mouth.
Under Bite: In this condition, your lower jaw sticks out too forward.
Overbite: When a maxilla protrudes above the lower jaw significantly, it is referred to as overbite.
Mentioned below is a list of several other symptoms people with chronic jaw pain could experience. These could also indicate that you require jaw surgery.
- Inability to clench teeth
- Chronic pain in your jaws
- Headaches
- Temporomandibular, aka chronic jaw joint pain
- Dry mouth
- Sleep apnea
- Not being able to bite or chew properly
What are the Most Common Surgical Options for Chronic Jaw Pain
Mandibular Osteotomy: This surgical option repairs sever underbites and other symptoms of receded lower jaws
Maxillary Osteotomy: Upper jaw surgery, which many know as maxillary osteotomy helps fix receded upper jaws. This surgical option manipulates and fixes the jaw using metal plates and screws, ensuring it is in the right place. Doctors often use this procedure for correcting, open bite, cross bite and over bite.
Chin Surgery/Genioplasty: This surgical option is often used for fixing lower jaws that recede severely. When performing this procedure, doctors restructure your chin as well as your jaw. One of the best things about this surgical option is that patients do not have to sit through two surgeries, as it addresses both issues.
What to Expect from Chronic Jaw Pain Surgery
Before the surgical procedure for your chronic jaw pain begins, the doctor will explain you everything that will happen. Doctors use the latest surgical procedures and technology to treat chronic jaw pain. Once your surgery is over, you might have to stay at the hospital for a day or two depending on the condition, so doctors can observe you before declaring you fit to return home.
If you are suffering from chronic jaw pain, give us a call at (435) 220-2324. We have a team of highly competitive surgeons who will analyze your condition and suggest the best surgical option to ensure your jaw is pain free.
