When jaw misalignment goes beyond what braces can fix, surgical orthodontics offers lasting correction. This specialized treatment combines orthodontic care with corrective jaw surgery, called orthognathic surgery, to address severe skeletal issues that affect your bite, function, and facial balance.
At Boller Orthodontic Arts, Dr. Boller works closely with trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide coordinated surgical orthodontic care for patients throughout Crown Point, IN and Northwest Indiana. If you have a significant overbite, underbite, crossbite, or facial asymmetry that hasn’t responded to traditional treatment, surgical orthodontics may be the answer.
This approach is typically reserved for adults whose jaws have finished growing. It’s not about cosmetic preference alone. It’s about restoring proper function, relieving discomfort, and creating a stable, healthy bite that lasts.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is a treatment that combines braces with orthognathic jaw surgery to correct severe skeletal misalignment of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Unlike braces alone, which move only the teeth, this approach repositions the underlying bone to fix bite problems caused by jaw size or position.
The process is typically reserved for adults with fully developed jaws. It’s used when malocclusion stems from how the jaws relate to each other, not just how the teeth are aligned. Common indications include severe overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, or pronounced facial asymmetry. Because the bone itself is repositioned, results tend to be highly stable over time.
At Boller Orthodontic Arts, Dr. Boller plans the orthodontic side of treatment while a partnering oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgical phase. The two work in tandem from start to finish, so your teeth, bite, and jaw position end up working together.
Benefits of Surgical Orthodontic Treatment in Crown Point, IN
This treatment goes well beyond straightening teeth. It corrects the underlying skeletal structure that affects how your jaw functions every day, including chewing, speaking, breathing, and facial balance. For patients who pursue surgical orthodontics in Crown Point, IN, the changes often go well beyond cosmetics.
Functional Improvements
- Corrects severe bite problems that braces alone cannot resolve
- Improves chewing efficiency so you can eat comfortably
- Speech clarity often improves once jaw positioning is corrected
- Opens airways and may relieve sleep apnea symptoms in qualifying patients
- Chronic TMJ pain and jaw discomfort are often reduced
Aesthetic and Structural Benefits
- Creates facial balance and an improved profile
- Addresses facial asymmetry caused by uneven jaw development
- Provides long-term, stable results because the underlying bone is repositioned
- Improves overall facial harmony through careful, individualized planning
For many patients, the decision to pursue surgical orthodontics comes after years of living with discomfort, difficulty eating, or self-consciousness about their profile. The results extend far beyond appearance. They restore function that affects daily life.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontic treatment can successfully correct jaw discrepancies that would otherwise remain permanent without intervention.
The Surgical Orthodontics Process at Boller Orthodontic Arts
Surgical orthodontic treatment follows several phases. At Boller Orthodontic Arts, every step is coordinated between Dr. Boller and your oral surgeon to keep transitions smooth and outcomes strong.
Phase 1: In-Depth Consultation and Diagnosis
Your treatment begins with a thorough evaluation at our Crown Point, IN office. Dr. Boller uses 3D imaging and digital records to assess your jaw structure, bite, and facial proportions. This analysis forms the foundation of your personalized plan, and you’ll discuss your concerns, goals, and what to expect.
Phase 2: Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
Before surgery, you’ll typically wear braces for around 12-18 months. This phase aligns your teeth into positions that will fit together properly once your jaw is repositioned.
It might seem backwards, but your bite may actually feel worse during this phase. That’s intentional. Your teeth are being moved into positions that will work with your new jaw alignment after surgery.
Phase 3: Corrective Jaw Surgery
The surgical phase is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at a hospital or surgical center. Dr. Boller coordinates closely with your surgeon, sharing detailed records and treatment objectives. The surgery repositions your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Most procedures are performed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no visible facial scars.
Phase 4: Post-Surgical Orthodontics
After initial healing, usually 4-6 weeks, you’ll continue wearing braces for another 6-12 months to fine-tune your bite and let your teeth settle into their ideal positions.
Phase 5: Retention
Once your braces come off, you’ll receive custom retainers to maintain your results. Retention is essential after any orthodontic treatment, and it’s especially important following surgical correction.
Total treatment timeline typically spans 2-3 years, though individual cases vary based on complexity.
Are You a Candidate for Surgical Orthodontics?
This treatment isn’t for everyone. It’s a significant commitment reserved for cases where non-surgical treatment cannot achieve the needed correction. Most patients are adults whose jaw growth is complete and whose bite issues stem from skeletal, not just dental, causes.
You may be a candidate if your jaw growth is finished, generally around age 18 or older, and you have severe malocclusion that braces or Invisalign alone cannot correct. Patients often present with a significant overbite where the upper jaw protrudes substantially, a pronounced underbite where the lower jaw extends beyond the upper, or an open bite where the front teeth don’t meet when the back teeth are closed.
Other common indications include:
- Crossbite affecting multiple teeth due to a jaw width discrepancy
- Facial asymmetry or noticeable jaw imbalance
- Chronic TMJ/TMD pain linked to skeletal misalignment
- Trouble chewing, speaking, or breathing related to jaw position, sometimes addressed alongside airway orthodontics
Beyond the clinical picture, ideal candidates are committed to a multi-phase treatment plan spanning several years, in good overall health for surgery, realistic about recovery, and ready to follow pre- and post-operative instructions carefully.
During your free consult at Boller Orthodontic Arts, Dr. Boller will evaluate whether surgical orthodontics is appropriate for your situation. In some cases, advances in orthodontic technology allow for non-surgical correction of issues that previously required surgery. You’ll always receive an honest assessment of your options.
The table below compares which jaw conditions typically require surgical versus non-surgical correction.
| Condition | Non-Surgical Option? | Surgical Typically Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Mild overbite | Yes | Rarely |
| Severe overbite | Sometimes | Often |
| Mild underbite | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Severe underbite | Rarely | Usually |
| Skeletal open bite | Rarely | Usually |
| Significant facial asymmetry | No | Yes |
Why Choose Boller Orthodontic Arts for Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics requires an orthodontist who understands both the orthodontic and surgical components of treatment. Dr. Boller brings the expertise needed to plan and execute complex cases with clinical precision and an artist’s eye.
Coordinated Care with Trusted Surgeons
Dr. Boller has established relationships with respected oral and maxillofacial surgeons throughout Northwest Indiana. This collaborative approach keeps communication clear at every stage, from initial planning through final adjustments.
Advanced Technology for Precise Planning
Our practice uses 3D imaging and digital treatment planning to visualize surgical outcomes before treatment begins. This technology lets Dr. Boller and your surgeon coordinate with precise planning and careful detail at every step.
Specialized Care Under One Roof
Beyond surgical orthodontics, Boller Orthodontic Arts provides TMJ/TMD treatment and airway orthodontics. If your jaw issues involve multiple concerns, you’ll find integrated care in one place.
True Private Practice Attention
As a true private practice, you’re not shuffled between rotating staff members. Dr. Boller personally sees you at every visit and oversees your treatment from consultation through retention, providing continuity and personal attention throughout your multi-year treatment.
Serving Crown Point and Beyond
With locations in Dyer and Crown Point, IN, Boller Orthodontic Arts serves families throughout Northwest Indiana. Our practice is rooted in community, and we’ve built our reputation by treating each patient like family from the first evaluation through retention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Orthodontics
How long does surgical orthodontic treatment take?
Most surgical orthodontic cases take between 2-3 years from start to finish. This includes 12-18 months of pre-surgical braces, the surgery itself, and 6-12 months of post-surgical orthodontics. Your specific timeline depends on the complexity of your case and how your teeth respond to treatment.
Is jaw surgery covered by insurance?
Many medical insurance plans cover orthognathic surgery when it’s deemed medically necessary, not purely cosmetic. Coverage varies significantly between plans. Our team at Boller Orthodontic Arts can help you understand your benefits and coordinate with both dental and medical insurance. We also offer payment plans to make treatment accessible.
How painful is orthognathic surgery and recovery?
Most patients describe the first week as the most challenging, with swelling, a soft-food diet, and tightness around the jaw managed through prescribed medications and cold compresses. Many patients return to desk jobs within 2-3 weeks, though full recovery and final settling of the bite take several months. Your surgeon will provide detailed recovery instructions and support.
Will I need braces before and after jaw surgery?
Yes. Pre-surgical braces align your teeth into positions that will fit together properly after your jaw is repositioned. Post-surgical braces then refine your bite and help everything settle correctly. Some patients may qualify for clear aligners during portions of treatment, but traditional braces are typically used for surgical cases.
Can teens have surgical orthodontics?
This treatment is generally reserved for patients whose jaws have stopped growing, typically around age 18 for females and slightly later for males. In rare cases involving severe functional problems, surgery may be considered earlier. Dr. Boller can evaluate whether a teen patient should wait for jaw growth to complete or if earlier intervention is warranted.
What are the risks of corrective jaw surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, orthognathic surgery carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, nerve changes affecting sensation, and the possibility of relapse if retention isn’t maintained. Serious complications are uncommon when surgery is performed by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Boller and your surgeon will discuss all risks during your consultation so you can make an informed decision.
Schedule Your Surgical Orthodontics Consultation in Crown Point, IN
If you’re living with a severe bite problem, chronic jaw pain, or facial imbalance that hasn’t responded to other treatments, surgical orthodontics in Crown Point, IN may offer the lasting correction you need.
At Boller Orthodontic Arts, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation and honest assessment of your options. Dr. Boller will explain whether surgical orthodontics is right for your situation and walk you through every phase of the process.
Book your free consult today. We’ll create a personalized plan, discuss financing and insurance options, and answer all your questions about what to expect.
Visit us at our Dyer or Crown Point, IN locations. Call (219) 322-7645 or request your appointment online.