The jaw is one of the most important parts of the body. Since it makes normal activities such as chewing food and speaking possible, living with a jaw that has abnormalities might be challenging. If your jaw isn’t functioning quite like it is supposed to, it can be fixed with oral surgery. Here, the team at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska in Anchorage gives some insight on who makes a good candidate for this corrective surgery.

How Do You Know if You Qualify for Corrective Jaw Surgery?

1. It Is Hard to Speak

Speaking is a part of daily life that would be hard to live without. Unfortunately, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems cause the jaw muscles to tense up. This makes it painful and difficult for it to move. If you are experiencing difficulty conversing with others because of an irregular jaw shape or tense muscles, having corrective surgery can help ease pain and improve pronunciation.

2. Swallowing & Chewing Are Difficult

Chewing food correctly not only allows you swallow, but it also helps with digestion. The more you chew your food, the faster the nutrients are absorbed. Chewing correctly also makes it so the body works less by not producing as many digestive juices. If you have an irregularly shaped jaw, your digestive system may be working overtime. Having oral surgery to correct it will improve your overall quality of life.

3. You Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which airflow is restricted while sleeping. People with the condition often experience extreme sleepiness during the day, fatigue, and a decreased attention span. Although sleep apnea has many causes including obesity, jaw irregularities can also make it hard to breathe at night. To avoid these symptoms, speak with your dentist about receiving corrective jaw surgery.

Do you think you may be a candidate for oral surgery? Contact the staff at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska to confirm. In addition to jaw surgery, Dr. William F. Bergeron, Jr. and Dr. Ray Holloway are skilled in a wide range of procedures including cosmetic dental care and dental implants. For more information on their other services and to make an appointment, visit them online or give them a call today at (907) 561-1430.