Braces & Invisalign in State College
Smiles Made Your Way
Looking for top-tier orthodontic care in State College? At State College Orthodontics, Dr. Ray offers the most up-to-date braces and Invisalign options, giving you a comfortable, personalized path to a confident smile.
A Healthier Smile Foundation
Surgical Orthodontics
in State College
At State College Orthodontics, Dr. Ray provides surgical orthodontics for patients who need more than braces or aligners. It often involves orthognathic (jaw) surgery, a procedure used to correct severe jaw misalignments that cannot be fixed with orthodontics alone.
Surgical orthodontics may be the right solution for you if you experience difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing due to jaw irregularities.
What Is Jaw Surgery & Who Needs It?
Orthognathic surgery, commonly known as jaw surgery, is a specialized procedure used to correct severe misalignments in the jaw that cannot be fixed with braces or clear aligners alone.
When the upper and lower jaws don’t align properly, it can cause difficulty chewing, speaking, breathing, and even sleeping. Surgical orthodontics is typically recommended for patients with skeletal irregularities that affect their bite, facial structure, or overall oral function.
While many orthodontic issues can be addressed with traditional braces, severe misalignment, jaw asymmetry, and bite discrepancies often require a combination of orthodontics and surgery to achieve lasting, functional results.
Jaw surgery is usually performed after growth has stopped, making it an option for older teens and adults. The treatment process can take several months to a year, but the outcome is life-changing—restoring balance, function, and confidence to your smile.
Why Consider Jaw Surgery?
Surgical orthodontics isn’t just about aesthetics but function, health, and long-term comfort. For patients with severe jaw misalignment, this procedure can correct issues that impact everyday activities like eating, speaking, and breathing.
For many, jaw surgery is the only way to correct structural problems that traditional orthodontic treatments cannot fix. Orthognathic surgery helps create a more balanced, healthy, fully functional bite, whether overbite, underbite, or facial asymmetry.
The Jaw Surgery Process
Jaw surgery is a multi-step process that takes time but delivers lasting results. Before surgery, Dr. Ray may recommend braces or clear aligners for several months to properly align your teeth.
The procedure itself is performed under general anesthesia by an oral surgeon and may require a few days in the hospital for initial recovery. Healing is gradual, and you’ll need to follow a soft-food diet and specific care instructions in the weeks following surgery.
Is Jaw Surgery Right for You?
The best way to determine if you need surgical orthodontics is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ray at State College Orthodontics. Orthognathic surgery is typically reserved for cases where braces or aligners alone cannot entirely correct jaw misalignment or bite issues.
Because jaw surgery is a more invasive procedure, it’s only recommended when absolutely necessary. If other treatment options are available, Dr. Ray will discuss those first to ensure you choose the best path for your smile.