Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is needed when jaw misalignments negatively affect a patient’s ability to chew or speak, or when long-term oral health is compromised. Often, the problem is easily corrected with the use of orthodontics, but when the issue is more severe, an oral surgeon will step in to help. Orthognathic surgery can also surgically align the jaw to improve facial harmony.
Injury to the jaw and birth defects are common causes of jaw alignment. If you are suffering from any of these difficulties, you may be a candidate for orthognathic surgery and should come in for an evaluation:
- Difficulty in chewing, biting, swallowing, or breathing
- Difficulty with your speech
- Chronic jaw pain
- Protruding jaw
- Bite problems
The doctors at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa are specialists at corrective jaw surgery and will ensure you are well taken care of during and after your procedure. Before any treatment begins, a consultation will be held to perform a complete examination. During the pre-treatment consultation process, feel free to ask any questions that you have regarding your treatment. Once you are fully informed about your condition and your recommended care, you and your dental team can make the decision to proceed with treatment together.
How does corrective jaw surgery work?
The first step in the process of corrective jaw surgery is to meet with one of our oral surgeons to plan the surgery. Using comprehensive facial imaging, you will be able to see how your bite will function and look after treatment. At this time, your oral surgeon will discuss every aspect of your proposed treatment plan.
Your oral surgeon will work with your dentist and orthodontist during your treatment. Your orthodontist to prepare your mouth for the procedure by using braces to align your teeth to each jaw. The orthodontic phase of treatment usually lasts six to eighteen months, with periodic scheduled adjustments. The next step is to have one or both of your jaws surgically moved to their new permanent position for proper oral function and maximum facial aesthetics. This procedure is performed by your oral surgeon in the hospital using computer-aided surgical techniques and can last between one to four hours. You may stay in the hospital for one to three days post-surgery.
Patients typically may be off work or school from two weeks to one month after surgery. Weekly appointments are required for up to two months after surgery, and braces are maintained for six to twelve months after surgery. Once your braces are removed, you will wear a retainer to complete your treatment and to preserve your new smile for many years to come. It may take a couple of months to return to normal chewing function, and full function may take one year.
After treatment is complete, we find that our orthognathic surgery patients have made a remarkable positive transformation with enormous improvements in their chewing function, speech, and breathing. Improved facial aesthetics are often achieved with this surgery as well.
Types of Anesthesia
Several methods of anesthesia are available at our practice:
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Orthognathic Surgery and other procedures.
"Hi, my name’s Ashley, and I’m from Cedar Rapids. I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my teeth removed. Right as I walked into the door, it was a very comforting experience and everyone was just super friendly. The doctor here is just awesome. He is [a] very nice guy, he’s very friendly, and easy to work with. The staff answered all my questions and they put my mind at ease. It was a very successful procedure. The recovery was very easy. I am very glad I chose this place to get my tooth extracted. They did such an amazing job and I’ve gotten an amazing smile."
"Hi, my name is Austin and I am from Cedar Rapids. I came to Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa for tooth extraction. When I first walked into the Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa, I felt very comfortable. Everybody here had a smile on their face, and I felt welcomed the entire way. The doctor I worked with was a super nice guy, very easy to get along with. He made sure to get to know me as a person as well. He made me feel very calm the entire time, which was very nice. It was a successful procedure and my recovery was great, and I continue to feel awesome even right now as well, which is great. If you live in Hiawatha and need oral surgery, I absolutely recommend the team here."
"Hi, my name is Avery and I'm from Robins, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. Coming into this practice, I was greeted with a smile. Everybody here was really sweet and caring, and they took all the extra steps to make me feel right at home. The doctor made me feel very comfortable and happy. He's such a good person. It was a successful procedure and the recovery went just as expected. I am thrilled that I chose this practice to get my wisdom teeth removed. If you live in Iowa City and need your wisdom teeth removed, I highly recommend the team here."
"Hi, my name is Barb, I’m from Hiawatha, and I came to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa for a full-arch replacement. Everybody here made me feel like I was part of a family. They welcomed me with open arms. The doctor here was amazing. I just felt so comfortable and at ease with the way he spoke with me, and I had a smile on my face the whole time we were talking. My procedure went very well, it was very successful, and the recovery was everything they told me it would be. I was a Smile Again recipient, and I have never won anything in my life and it was just the most amazing moment and it’s been an amazing experience. This was a life-changing experience thanks to the team at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa."
"Hi, my name is Ben and I’m from Cedar Rapids, and I came here to get some baby teeth extracted. There are so many things to do when you’re waiting in the waiting room. You can watch TV and there’s very comfy couches you can sit on. Everybody here is just great, the staff is friendly and the doctor is awesome. The doctor here is very nice and he makes me feel very welcome here. He really knows his stuff. The procedure was a success and I was up and running in no time. Now that I’ve had these extractions, I can eat all the pizza I want, and that’s okay with me. I'm going to have an amazing smile and it’s all thanks to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa."
"Hi, my name is Bruce and I’m from Anamosa. I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get extractions, bone graft, and implants. Everybody here was awesome. They made me feel at home, comfortable. I felt very well taken care of. The doctor is great, I mean he sat and talked with me. He made sure I was at ease and what’s going to happen. He showed me what was going to happen before it even took place, and with information like that, that made me feel really comfortable. Being able to smile again is truly an amazing experience. I coach a lot of sports, so a lot of people see, you know, me and the public align and I’ve got a lot of compliments from them. I’m happy that I chose this practice to get my procedure done."
"Hi, my name is Dave, and I’m from Earlville, and I came to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get a dental implant. The doctor here is down to earth, that’s what I like, it made me feel a lot more comfortable. He just was great. The staff here was very pleasant. They are personable and kept me very comfortable here. The dental implant procedure was an absolute success and overall the recovery was great. I had a very good experience here at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa. I would give this place five stars."
"Hi, my name is David and I’m from Cedar Rapids. I came to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get a dental implant. The staff here really made it feel like a really comfortable family environment. Everyone here was super accommodating, from the people at administration to the doctor in the back who took amazing care of me. I knew I was in good hands from the start. The doctor made sure I understood every step of the process in the dental implant. I’m just so happy that I’ve got a nice healthy smile now, and it’s all thanks to the team here. I would give the team here at this practice five stars out of five."
"I’m Nelson and I live in Mount Vernon, Iowa. I had a tooth removed and a dental implant. I would say Dr. Morio is a very proficient doctor. He does a very good job. He puts me at ease whenever I’m around him. He explains procedures very well. I found the people who work here to be very caring, concerned about me, they took good care of me. I felt very comfortable. I felt that they were very competent. Dr. Morio is great. His staff is great. It was surprisingly easy. The whole process was easy, and recovery was easy. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience."
Orthognathic Surgery Surgery in Hiawatha, IA
The team at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa are expertly trained in orthognathic surgery techniques. Our jaw surgery patients often make a complete transformation for the better after receiving this life-changing treatment. If you believe you may require orthognathic surgery, or if this type of surgery has been recommended for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at our practice in Hiawatha, IA. One of our highly skilled surgeons will be happy to evaluate you for treatment.