Having nice teeth not only improves your smile but your entire appearance. In fact, the right dental intervention can take years off your face.
That’s right — over time, natural dental changes can lead to face “shrinkage.” This can add years to a person’s appearance. However, modern dental practices take this into consideration and attempt to reverse these changes. Tooth straightening surgery is one excellent way to do this.
The natural narrowing of the teeth over time causes a smile to lose its volume. The facial structure begins to look like it’s collapsing in on itself. To reverse some of the oral effects of aging, read more about tooth straightening surgery below.
What Is Tooth Straightening Surgery?
Tooth straightening surgery is a procedure that usually involves repositioning gums and bones. However, some cases may require realigning the jaw.
This procedure works best for patients who have many teeth that need to repositioned. Ideally, this would be a patient with an overbite, underbite, or jaw misalignment. It’s also best for the patient’s teeth to have stopped growing before the surgery is conducted.
Types of Tooth Straightening Surgery
There are a couple of types of tooth straightening surgery. One is the basic repositioning of gums and bones. The other is realigning the jaw, also known as orthognathic surgery.
Although the simple form of this surgery is usually a cosmetic procedure, orthognathic surgery is often a medical necessity. It can help alleviate jaw pain and improve the future health of gums and bones.
How Much Does It Cost?
Simple tooth straightening surgery should not cost more than a few thousand dollars, though the cost can vary by region and provider. The more complex form of tooth straightening surgery that involves the jaw, however, can cost upwards of $20,000.
Unfortunately, tooth straightening surgery is usually not the end of the treatment. Usually, patients need to follow up with braces. They will need to find an orthodontist or Invisalign provider, although they shouldn’t need them as long as someone who hasn’t had the surgery.
How Much Does It Hurt?
Those interested in this procedure will be happy to learn that it is a minor surgery. The only thing required is some local anesthesia to numb the areas being repositioned.
However, if realigning the jaw is necessary, the surgery becomes more complicated. It can take up to 6 months for the jaw to recover from this invasive procedure. Afterward, braces may still be required, making the entire process last from 1 to 3 years.
More Oral Health Tips
Tooth straightening surgery may sound extreme, but it’s usually a more convenient option for those who don’t want to wear braces for several years. It’s also a procedure that aims to address the core issue of crooked teeth — a misalignment between the jaw, gums, bones, and teeth.
For more helpful oral health tips, don’t forget to visit the health section of our page.
