Can jaw surgery fix an open bite due to tongue thrusting?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an open bite due to a tongue thrust I have had since I was a baby (I am 22 now). It is affecting the way I talk, eat, and I sometimes find myself gasping for air when I sleep. I have been looking into ways to correct it and also close my bite. Will corrective jaw surgery help with my tongue placement as well as close my open bite?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per your description, you are having open bite and tongue thrust. For correction of open bite the exact cause must be ruled out. Tongue thrust is the cause and is also aggravating factor. Also, if corrective jaw surgery works or not or whether any skeletal jaw problem is involved can be suggested only after clinical examination. If there is growth direction of Maxilla or mandible is altered or there posterior vertical maxillary excess and etc., is there then that have to be ruled out before planning for corrective jaw surgery option. First Tongue thrust should be taken care with help of habit breaking appliance and then malocclusion should be corrected with Orthodontic treatment, provided skeletal factor is not involved. Again I would like to see images of your concern area and teeth for detailed diagnosis and management of problem.