In some cases, when other orthodontic treatment methods have been ruled out as viable options, surgery is necessary. We know how scary this can be, and we are here for you. Our orthodontic care team can help you diagnose and provide a treatment plan for you, and help you to find the right oral surgeon for you. We work with your oral surgery team throughout the entire process and our orthodontic team will be here for you through every step toward unlocking your smile.
If you have been referred for orthodontic surgery, reach out to us today. We’ll answer your questions and schedule a consultation at our office in New Hyde Park so we can guide you through your next steps. Let’s start your journey — together.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics — also called orthognathic treatment — combines orthodontic care with corrective jaw surgery performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Braces and aligners are excellent at moving teeth, but when the underlying jaw position is the source of the problem, tooth movement alone can’t fully correct the bite. In those cases, orthodontics and surgery work together: orthodontic treatment aligns the teeth, and surgery brings the jaws into their proper relationship.
The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes orthognathic treatment as the standard of care for significant jaw discrepancies that can’t be resolved with orthodontics alone.
When Is Surgery Considered?
Most orthodontic patients never need surgery. It’s typically considered only when the jaws themselves are significantly misaligned, which may show up as:
- A pronounced underbite, overbite, or open bite that braces alone can’t close
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or speaking related to jaw position
- Facial asymmetry or jaw-joint strain connected to how the jaws meet
- A bite relationship that has stopped responding to conventional treatment
Because jaw surgery is generally performed after growth is complete, it’s most often part of adult treatment plans — one more reason a thorough evaluation matters before deciding on any treatment path.
How Treatment Works at Nexus
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Fung diagnoses and plans the orthodontic side of surgical cases and coordinates directly with your oral surgery team from start to finish:
- Evaluation & diagnosis — records, digital iTero scans, and a complete bite analysis to confirm whether surgery is truly needed, or whether another path can work.
- Pre-surgical orthodontics — braces or aligners position your teeth so they’ll fit together correctly once the jaws are repositioned.
- Surgery — performed by the oral surgeon we help you select; we share records and planning with their team throughout.
- Post-surgical refinement — fine-tuning tooth positions as you heal, then retention to protect the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does needing braces mean I might need surgery? No — surgical cases are the exception, not the rule. Surgery is only discussed when jaw alignment itself is the obstacle and other options have been ruled out.
Does Nexus perform the surgery? No. Jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Fung handles the orthodontic phases and coordinates your care with the surgical team the whole way through.
Can teens have surgical orthodontics? Jaw surgery is generally timed after jaw growth is complete, so it’s most common in adults and older teens. Younger patients with jaw-growth concerns may be candidates for early interceptive treatment instead — which can sometimes reduce the need for surgery later.
