Surgical Orthodontics in Folsom, CA

Surgical orthodontics may be recommended when jaw position, bite function, or facial balance concerns cannot be fully corrected with braces or aligners alone. At Holt Orthodontics in Folsom, we help patients understand whether orthodontic treatment can address their bite on its own or whether jaw surgery may need to be part of a more comprehensive plan.

Led by Dr. Mark Holt, Dr. Tyler Holt, and Dr. Miriam Behpour, our team provides careful orthodontic evaluation, digital treatment planning, and coordinated care for patients with more complex bite and jaw alignment needs.

What Is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic orthodontics, combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery. It is used for patients whose bite problems are related not only to tooth position, but also to how the upper and lower jaws fit together.

Braces or aligners can move teeth. However, they cannot reposition the jaw bones themselves. When the jaws are significantly misaligned, orthodontic treatment may be used before and after surgery to help create a healthier bite and more stable result.

Surgical orthodontics is usually considered after jaw growth is complete, often for older teens or adults.

Surgical orthodontics consultation in Folsom CA

When Might Surgical Orthodontics Be Needed?

Not every bite problem requires surgery. Many orthodontic concerns can be treated with braces, Invisalign, or other non-surgical orthodontic options.

Surgical orthodontics may be discussed when a patient has more significant jaw or bite concerns, such as:

  • severe underbite or overbite
  • open bite that affects chewing or speech
  • jaw asymmetry
  • difficulty biting or chewing properly
  • teeth that do not meet correctly because of jaw position
  • facial imbalance related to jaw alignment
  • bite problems that cannot be corrected predictably with orthodontics alone

A consultation helps determine whether the issue is mostly dental, mostly skeletal, or a combination of both.

Surgical Orthodontics vs. Regular Orthodontic Treatment

The main difference is what needs to be corrected.

Concern Often Dental May Involve Jaw Position
Mild crowding Yes Not usually
Small gaps Yes Not usually
Severe underbite Sometimes Often
Open bite Sometimes Possible
Jaw asymmetry Not usually Often
Bite not fitting after prior treatment Possible Possible
Difficulty chewing due to jaw position Not usually Often
If your teeth are crowded or crooked but your jaws fit together well, surgery is usually not needed. If the jaw relationship is the main reason the bite does not fit, surgical orthodontics may be considered.

The Role of Braces Before and After Jaw Surgery

Orthodontics is an important part of surgical treatment planning. The teeth need to be positioned so they fit together properly after the jaw relationship is corrected.

In many cases, treatment happens in stages.

1. Orthodontic Evaluation

Your first step is a complete orthodontic evaluation. We examine your teeth, bite, jaw relationship, smile goals, and treatment concerns. Digital scans, photos, and X-rays may be used to understand the full picture.

2. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

Before surgery, braces are often used to move the teeth into better positions. This can feel confusing at first because the bite may not look fully corrected yet. The goal is to prepare the teeth so they fit properly after the jaw surgery.

You can learn more about available types of braces when discussing treatment options.

3. Surgical Coordination

If surgery is needed, orthodontic treatment is coordinated with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The surgeon focuses on jaw correction, while our orthodontic team focuses on tooth movement and bite alignment before and after surgery.

4. Post-Surgical Orthodontics

After healing, orthodontic treatment continues to fine-tune the bite. This phase helps settle the teeth into their final positions and supports long-term stability.

5. Retention

Once treatment is complete, retainers help protect the result. Retention is important because teeth can shift after any orthodontic treatment.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first visit is designed to give you clarity. You do not need to know whether you need surgery before coming in. That is what the evaluation helps determine.

During your first orthodontist appointment, our team may review your bite, discuss your concerns, take digital records, and explain whether orthodontic treatment alone may be enough or whether a surgical consultation may be appropriate.

The goal is not to rush you into treatment. It is to help you understand what is happening, what can be corrected, and what options make sense.

Why Choose Holt Orthodontics for Surgical Orthodontics in Folsom?

Complex orthodontic cases need careful planning. Surgical orthodontics is not just about straightening teeth before surgery. It requires coordination, timing, communication, and a clear understanding of how the teeth and jaws should work together.

Patients choose Holt Orthodontics because our practice offers:

  • experienced orthodontic care from Dr. Mark Holt, Dr. Tyler Holt, and Dr. Miriam Behpour
  • free smile assessments for new patients
  • digital scans, photos, and X-rays for treatment planning
  • braces, clear braces, Invisalign, and surgical orthodontic guidance
  • multiple greater Sacramento-area locations
  • clear communication before, during, and after treatment
  • personalized recommendations based on your bite, jaw relationship, and goals

What Our Patients Say

Surgical Orthodontics in Folsom and Nearby Communities

Holt Orthodontics welcomes patients at our Folsom office:

1568 Creekside Dr. #104, Folsom, CA 95630
Phone: (916) 983-5321

Our Folsom office serves patients from:

  • El Dorado Hills
  • Orangevale
  • Fair Oaks
  • Rancho Cordova, and nearby communities. 

We also have offices in Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, and Granite Bay, giving patients more flexibility for orthodontic care across the greater Sacramento area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Orthodontic Journey Starts Here

If you have a severe bite problem, jaw imbalance, difficulty chewing, or concerns that previous orthodontic treatment could not fully correct, surgical orthodontics may be worth discussing. That does not mean surgery is automatically the answer. It means your smile and bite deserve a careful evaluation.

At Holt Orthodontics, Dr. Mark Holt, Dr. Tyler Holt, Dr. Miriam Behpour, and our team help patients understand whether braces, aligners, surgical orthodontics, or another treatment path makes the most sense. If you are looking for surgical orthodontics in Folsom, CA, start with a free smile assessment and get clear answers before moving forward.

orthodontics Folsom CA