Personalized, Collaborative Care for Complex Orthodontic Needs
In some cases, achieving a healthy, functional bite and balanced facial appearance requires more than braces alone. Surgical orthodontics—also called orthognathic surgery or jaw surgery—can help align the jaws when traditional orthodontic treatment is not enough.
At Inner-Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Sheila collaborates closely with top oral and maxillofacial surgeons to design comprehensive treatment plans that address the root causes of jaw imbalance and deliver life-changing results.
When Is Orthognathic Surgery Recommended?
Orthognathic surgery may be indicated when the jaws are out of alignment, even if the teeth themselves appear straight. This may be due to genetics, growth discrepancies, trauma, or congenital conditions like cleft palate. Common goals of treatment include:
- Improving facial balance and profile
- Correcting a severe overbite or underbite
- Closing an open bite (when the front teeth don’t touch)
- Expanding a narrow upper jaw
- Addressing facial asymmetry
- Correcting congenital facial malformations (e.g., cleft conditions)
- Replacing degenerative jaw joints (TMJ)
- Relieving obstructive sleep apnea by improving the airway
In many cases, a single surgery can achieve multiple improvements in function, health, and appearance. Dr. Sheila will walk you through before-and-after examples of similar cases to help you feel confident in your care plan.
What to Expect: The Orthognathic Surgery Process
While this treatment involves multiple steps, the overall time frame is often similar—or even shorter—than standard orthodontic care. Dr. Sheila will be with you through every phase of the journey.
1. Initial Evaluation
You may come to us simply with questions about your bite or profile or via a referral from oral surgery, ENT, sleep medicine, or cleft/craniofacial teams. Dr. Sheila will complete a detailed exam and determine whether surgery may be appropriate.
2. Diagnostics & Planning
We’ll take photos, X-rays, and a 3D optical scan for study models to create a customized plan that aligns your bite, function, and facial structure.
3. Initial Surgical Consultation
Before orthodontic treatment begins, you will meet with your surgeon for an initial consultation and to discuss insurance and cost of surgical treatment.
4. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
Braces are placed to begin positioning the teeth for their ideal post-surgical alignment. During this phase, your bite may temporarily appear to worsen—this is expected and part of the plan.
5. Progress Check and Pre-Surgery Visit with your Surgeon
A double-check that everything is ready for surgery, including any insurance preapprovals with your surgeon.
6. Virtual Surgical Planning
With your surgeon and lab technician, Dr. Sheila participates in digital simulations to ensure accuracy. A 3D-printed splint or hardware is created to guide the procedure.
7. The Surgery
Jaw surgery typically takes place in a hospital setting and may or may not require an overnight stay. Modern techniques use rigid fixation, so patients are rarely “wired shut” afterward.
8. Healing & Final Orthodontics
After a short healing period of 6 weeks (most patients return to school or work within a week or two), you’ll continue with braces to fine-tune the bite for several months. Then comes the best part—your new smile and retainers to keep everything stable.
9. Collaborative Treatment Design
Dr. Sheila will coordinate with your surgeon to determine the best timing and surgical plan. We’ll factor in:
- Your bite and profile goals
- What changes to the teeth are needed
- Functional issues like breathing or speech
- Whether changes to the nose, chin, or jawline should be subtle or more pronounced
- Any needed preparatory procedures (e.g., palatal expansion, grafting)
Why Choose Dr. Sheila for Surgical Orthodontics?
Dr. Sheila’s extensive training and institutional partnerships bring unique depth to your care:
- Experienced & Trusted
Dr. Sheila developed a strong foundation in treating skeletal discrepancies. She continues to treat a high volume of surgical cases through longstanding affiliations, and she has had some of the best mentors when it comes to providing surgical care. This practice is unique in that it has a long history of providing surgical care due to both its reputation and institutional affiliations.
- Institutional Affiliations
- Fort Carson Army Medical Center – Trusted to care for active-duty soldiers requiring orthognathic surgery, trauma correction, or airway management.
- Children’s Hospital Colorado – Dr. Sheila serves on the Cleft Lip & Palate Team and teaches in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She has extensive experience managing complex craniofacial conditions, such as midface retrusion and hemifacial microsomia.
- Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio – Partner site for advanced joint replacement and reconstruction.
Dr. Sheila’s warm, collaborative style and eye for both function and aesthetics ensure that patients feel cared for—and empowered—every step of the way.
Your Complimentary Orthodontic & Surgical Consultation
We’re here to answer all your questions and provide clear, personalized guidance. Your consultation includes:
- A one-on-one meeting with Dr. Sheila
- A comprehensive exam and digital records
- Discussion of surgical vs. non-surgical options
- Case examples to help visualize your outcome
- A clear timeline and estimated treatment duration
- Insurance verification and payment options
We believe in evidence-based care with no pressure—just honest advice and real solutions.
Let’s find the right path to your healthiest, most confident smile.
Call us at (719) 268-7138 or provide your contact information to schedule your Complimentary Assessment today.