EXPERT
Dr. David Bell
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
My practice is limited exclusively to orthognathic surgery. You can find me at orthognathicsurgerymd.com
Dr. David Bell
- Accepting new patients
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Can surgery fix overbite?
Yes. That and a great deal more types of bite problems. Simply Google "orthognathic surgery" and go to the images tabs for visual examples.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
I have a crooked smile. Do I need surgery to correct this?
If your smile is indeed crooked looking, there is a good possibility that your facial bones have grown in a crooked matter. This is known as facial asymmetry. You might try Googling READ MORE
If your smile is indeed crooked looking, there is a good possibility that your facial bones have grown in a crooked matter. This is known as facial asymmetry. You might try Googling "surgical correction of facial asymmetry" to determine whether having surgery is something you would want to consider.
Is jaw alignment surgery safe?
Possible Risks/Complications ● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower READ MORE
Possible Risks/Complications
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons ought to know their own complication rate and be able to quote these statistics to their patients. My personal complication rate is 1.15%. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability, but the severity of possible complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons ought to know their own complication rate and be able to quote these statistics to their patients. My personal complication rate is 1.15%. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability, but the severity of possible complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
Can jaw alignment surgery cause any damage?
Possible Risks/Complications ● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower READ MORE
Possible Risks/Complications
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons ought to know their own complication rate and be able to quote this to their patients. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability, but the severity of possible complications. My personal complication rate is 1.15%.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons ought to know their own complication rate and be able to quote this to their patients. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability, but the severity of possible complications. My personal complication rate is 1.15%.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
When is corrective jaw surgery needed?
That is a great question. Reading between the lines, it sounds like you and your son want to know if he can get by without having the surgery. The answer is yes. In fact, the vast READ MORE
That is a great question. Reading between the lines, it sounds like you and your son want to know if he can get by without having the surgery. The answer is yes. In fact, the vast majority of surgeries that are performed in the US are not lifesaving and are intended to improve the quality of a person's life.
Importantly, while it is always possible to camouflage your son's "malaligned bite" the real question is the following: "to what degree will the functional and cosmetic aspects of his treatment be compromised with a non-surgical approach, and how stable will the outcome be 10, 20, 40 years from now?" What about his airway? Considered another way, what are the options, risks, and benefits for your son considering each approach?
The fact that your son's orthodontist even mentioned that surgery may be necessary likely suggests that he might benefit greatly. I make this statement because 95% of my practice has been devoted to performing orthognathic surgery and orthodontists typically will not even raise the question unless it is a significant concern.
Finally, I would caution against an approach that advocates "let's try and do it without surgery". Such an approach typically leads to prolonged treatment time, frustration, and anxiety. Worse yet, to relapse due to instability.
There is no substitute for making a well-informed decision based on the goals, needs, and values of your son, considering the resources of your family, and for the thought process and decision-making to be guided by science and not guesswork.
I wish you the best of luck.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
Importantly, while it is always possible to camouflage your son's "malaligned bite" the real question is the following: "to what degree will the functional and cosmetic aspects of his treatment be compromised with a non-surgical approach, and how stable will the outcome be 10, 20, 40 years from now?" What about his airway? Considered another way, what are the options, risks, and benefits for your son considering each approach?
The fact that your son's orthodontist even mentioned that surgery may be necessary likely suggests that he might benefit greatly. I make this statement because 95% of my practice has been devoted to performing orthognathic surgery and orthodontists typically will not even raise the question unless it is a significant concern.
Finally, I would caution against an approach that advocates "let's try and do it without surgery". Such an approach typically leads to prolonged treatment time, frustration, and anxiety. Worse yet, to relapse due to instability.
There is no substitute for making a well-informed decision based on the goals, needs, and values of your son, considering the resources of your family, and for the thought process and decision-making to be guided by science and not guesswork.
I wish you the best of luck.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
I had a car accident that caused my bottom jaw to be out of place. Can surgery help me?
If there is a malalignment of your jaw, it could be due to one of three reasons or any combination of: -a problem with the alignment of one or both jaw joints -a change in the READ MORE
If there is a malalignment of your jaw, it could be due to one of three reasons or any combination of:
-a problem with the alignment of one or both jaw joints
-a change in the position of your teeth in the jaw bone
-a undiagnosed fracture resulting in your jaw healing in an abnormal
position. This is known as a malunion.
Should you choose to have a consultation with a surgeon, old photographs or dental records may be helpful as a point of reference.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
-a problem with the alignment of one or both jaw joints
-a change in the position of your teeth in the jaw bone
-a undiagnosed fracture resulting in your jaw healing in an abnormal
position. This is known as a malunion.
Should you choose to have a consultation with a surgeon, old photographs or dental records may be helpful as a point of reference.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
Is surgery helpful in treating sleep apnea?
If your doctor is correct, and depending on the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea, surgery may be your only option. Only a thorough evaluation by an experienced orthognathic READ MORE
If your doctor is correct, and depending on the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea, surgery may be your only option. Only a thorough evaluation by an experienced orthognathic surgeon will give you a reasonable basis for making a decision.
Having said this, multiple scientific studies have shown that you can expect up to a 95% probability of improvement or complete elimination of your airway obstruction. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea results in severe impairment of so-called "executive functioning" of the brain, exponentially increased probability of early death, and dementia. You may want to consider the consequences of having surgery and not having surgery.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
Having said this, multiple scientific studies have shown that you can expect up to a 95% probability of improvement or complete elimination of your airway obstruction. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea results in severe impairment of so-called "executive functioning" of the brain, exponentially increased probability of early death, and dementia. You may want to consider the consequences of having surgery and not having surgery.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
How long does the pain last after jaw alignment surgery?
● Most of the discomfort after surgery is due to swelling. It is normal following surgery to have temporary numbness in the face, similar to receiving a dental anesthetic for a READ MORE
● Most of the discomfort after surgery is due to swelling. It is normal following surgery to have temporary numbness in the face, similar to receiving a dental anesthetic for a filling.
● Most patients will require a prescription pain medicine around the clock for only two days and once per day for the next 2 to 3 days. After this, Advil is all that is required!
● Most patients return to school or work within 3-6 weeks.
● Most patients will require a prescription pain medicine around the clock for only two days and once per day for the next 2 to 3 days. After this, Advil is all that is required!
● Most patients return to school or work within 3-6 weeks.
What are the risks of jaw alignment surgery?
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front READ MORE
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons should know their complication rates and be competent to quote these statistics to their patients. This is the only way patients can make informed decisions based on relevant data- relevant to the individual surgeon with whom consultation is taking place. My complication rate is 1.15%. This is approximately one-quarter of the complication rate published in peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted in the US. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability but the severity of surgical complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons should know their complication rates and be competent to quote these statistics to their patients. This is the only way patients can make informed decisions based on relevant data- relevant to the individual surgeon with whom consultation is taking place. My complication rate is 1.15%. This is approximately one-quarter of the complication rate published in peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted in the US. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability but the severity of surgical complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
How long after jaw surgery will I look normal?
Postoperative swelling can be significant but decreases rapidly within the first two weeks and is almost completely gone within six weeks. The very small amount of swelling that READ MORE
Postoperative swelling can be significant but decreases rapidly within the first two weeks and is almost completely gone within six weeks. The very small amount of swelling that remains after six weeks can take up to nine months to disappear completely. Orthodontic appliances are typically removed six months after surgery. Hope that this answers your question!
How panful is jaw surgery?
● Most of the discomfort after surgery is due to swelling. It is normal following surgery to have temporary numbness in the face, similar to receiving a dental anesthetic for a READ MORE
● Most of the discomfort after surgery is due to swelling. It is normal following surgery to have temporary numbness in the face, similar to receiving a dental anesthetic for a filling.
● Most patients will require a prescription pain medicine around the clock for only two days and once per day for the next 2 to 3 days. After this, Advil is all that is typically required!
● Most patients will require a prescription pain medicine around the clock for only two days and once per day for the next 2 to 3 days. After this, Advil is all that is typically required!
