Dr. Martyna has a particular interest in corrective jaw surgery. He is a fellowship trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed an additional year focusing on cleft lip and palate and corrective jaw (orthognathic) surgery. He particularly enjoys the impact these types of surgeries can have on a person’s daily life, by improving jaw function and confidence in their smile and overall appearance.
What is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Jaw surgery is also referred to as corrective jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery. This procedure is recommended to patients with bite alignment issues, or malocclusion, that cannot be corrected with orthodontic treatment alone. Occlusion is the contact between the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth. Any deviation from normal occlusion is considered as malocclusion. With malocclusion, oral functions are often affected, such as difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and speech. It may also cause temporomandibular joint pain, tooth pain, gum and muscle trauma, and can contribute to sleep apnea. In addition to orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, performed by an oral & maxillofacial surgeon is required to correct complex malocclusions. The consultations and follow-up appointments for jaw surgery take place at Kelowna Oral & Facial Surgery, and our surgeons perform these procedures at Kelowna General Hospital under general anesthesia.
What is Virtual Surgical Planning?
For corrective jaw surgery our surgeons utilizes a process called Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP), to digitally diagnose and treatment plan for each specific jaw surgery case. By simulating jaw surgery on the computer prior to your actual surgery, he is able to correct your malocclusion with extreme precision.
At the same time, our surgeons can use this software to simulate the soft tissue changes of your face in order to achieve a harmonious balance of your facial features, and a beautiful smile!
How do I know if I’m a candidate for corrective jaw surgery?
If you are experiencing misalignment of your upper and lower teeth, your general dentist will refer you to an orthodontist for an assessment. The orthodontist will complete a treatment plan for you and will refer you to Kelowna Oral & Facial Surgery if they feel that you are a candidate for orthognathic surgery. Our surgeons will work together with your orthodontist to complete your treatment plan. If you choose to go ahead with corrective jaw surgery, your surgery will be completed at Kelowna General Hospital as one of the final steps of your orthodontic treatment.