Jaw surgery is used to treat a broad range of skeletal and dental issues. It can improve the functionality of the jawbone for activities like speaking, breathing, and chewing. While there are many conditions for which the treatment is used, some are more common than others. As specialists in the field, the team from Alliance Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Keller and Haslet, TX, shares some of the more common reasons for receiving jaw surgery.

3 Common Issues & Injuries That Could Require Jaw Surgery

1. Fracture

From playing sports to being involved in a car accident, there are many ways an individual can experience facial trauma. These injuries can lead to small or significant fractures in the upper and lower jaws. Left unaddressed, the functionality of the jaw, including the dental occlusion (where the jawbones meet) could be compromised. It is essential to recruit the help of specialists for a serious facial injury as slight jaw fractures could otherwise go undetected.  

2. TMJ Disorders

TMJ refers to the Temporomandibular Joint, but the acronym is often used to describe disorders of the joint. Persistent headaches, jaw pain, and limited jaw mobility are common symptoms of a TMJ disorder. These symptoms can be brought on by a combination of factors, including arthritis or trauma. In milder cases, dental care options like therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs may provide effective treatment, but for more serious cases, jaw surgery may be necessary for repairing tissue damage.

3. Dislocation

A dislocated jaw can be extremely painful and prevents the jaw from closing. Due to injury, the TMJ can become unhinged from the skull, causing acute pain, swelling, and bleeding. Numbness, bruising, and difficulty breathing may also result from dislocation. Sometimes, a doctor can manually manipulate the dislocated jaw back into its correct position, but in other cases, surgery may be necessary to set the TMJ back into place.

Because the jawbones are such a complex part of the body, caring for them requires the utmost level of precision. The doctors at Alliance Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery have decades of experience and make each patient as comfortable as possible for jaw surgery, wisdom teeth extraction, or any other procedures you may need. Learn more about their practice online, or call (817) 741-2200 to schedule an appointment.