Surgical Orthodontics in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park
Sometimes, braces alone aren’t enough to get a healthy, functional bite and a balanced look on the face. When regular orthodontic therapy isn’t adequate, surgical orthodontics (also called orthognathic surgery or jaw surgery) can assist line up the jaws.
Dr. Sheila works together with the best oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Inner-Smiles Orthodontics to come up with complete treatment plans that fix the underlying problems that cause jaw imbalance and change people’s lives.
When Surgery Is Needed
Orthognathic surgery may be necessary when the jaws are not in line, even if the teeth look straight. This could be because of heredity, differences in growth, trauma, or birth defects like cleft palate. Some common goals of treatment are:
- 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 a lot of circumstances, one surgery can make a lot of things better in terms of function, health, and looks. Dr. Sheila will show you instances of similar cases before and after to help you feel good about your care plan.
Surgery Process Overview
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 work with your surgeon to figure out the ideal time and plan for the surgery. We’ll take into account:
- Your ambitions for your bite and profile
- What needs to be done to the teeth
- Functional problems like breathing or talking
- How much change to the nose, chin, or jawline should be noticeable or not?
- Any necessary preliminary procedures (e.g., palatal expansion, grafting)
Free 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.