Whether or not you have TMJ pain, facial asymmetry, an overbite, or an underbite, there are some excellent alternatives to major jaw surgery. Jaw surgery is typically preceded by braces, followed by the surgery itself, and then more braces afterwards. The true issue with jaw surgery is that it often fails to consider the entire picture. Many patients should consider addressing their overall health concerns first and understand that these alternatives can also be seen as Anti-Aging Dentistry.
Before: Collapsed bite, TMJ pain, headaches, popping, and short lower 1/3 face
After: Corrected bite, no more TMJ pain or headaches, and beautiful facial features.
This is a patient who was told by multiple professionals that jaw surgery was her only option. She was unhappy with the sunken look and aging appearance of her face. After undergoing braces and then Invisalign, she felt these had worsened her appearance. She was advised that only jaw surgery could help. However, jaw surgery does not always take the whole picture into account. The way the teeth meet is only one part of the equation.
What Else Should Be Evaluated and Treated?
- The airway
- The neck: head and neck tension
- The facial symmetry
- The jaw joints
- The lower 1/3 of the face
- The way the teeth meet and where they are in the face
- Worn or damaged teeth
Often, we see patients interested in cosmetic dentistry or porcelain veneers. This is purely cosmetic and does not address all their needs or concerns. In fact, many suffer from headaches, airway issues, and worn teeth. Simply placing veneers will not resolve these concerns or improve their overall health.
In the case above, non-surgical methods were used to correct the listed issues and provide a beautiful, more prominent smile. Treatment for this type of non-surgical facelift in the dental office usually occurs in two phases and is conservative. It’s not necessary to grind the teeth down either.
Phases of Non-Surgical Jaw Correction
Phase 1: The “Test Drive Bite”
This phase realigns the face and neck and often improves the airway. It helps evaluate the correct physiologic jaw position without any permanent changes.
Phase 2: Building the Corrected Bite
In this stage, the bite is permanently built to the new physiologic position established during the test phase, improving function and appearance without surgery.
If you have questions regarding Houston TMJ Treatment or Houston non-surgical overbite and underbite correction, please feel free to contact us:
Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF
Phone: 713-668-2289