Can TJaw Surgery Prevent Tooth Wear?
Teeth that do not meet properly wear down over time. Here is how orthognathic surgery protects your teeth.
Yes β correcting your bite through orthognathic surgery can prevent further abnormal tooth wear and protect your teeth long term.
- Why misaligned jaws cause tooth wear:
- In an overbite, only certain teeth make contact, wearing them down faster
- In an underbite, the front teeth may grind against each other
- In a crossbite, teeth rub abnormally on one side
- An open bite can cause the back teeth to take all the force
- TMJ-related grinding (bruxism) may worsen with a bad bite
- How surgery helps:
- Creates even contact across all teeth
- Distributes chewing forces evenly
- Reduces abnormal grinding patterns
- Protects teeth from excessive wear
- Makes your teeth last longer
Types of Wear Prevented
- Incisal wear (shortening of front teeth)
- Occlusal wear (flattening of biting surfaces)
- Abfraction (notching at the gum line from stress)
- Enamel chipping or cracking
Long-Term Dental Health
- Proper bite alignment also helps:
- Make dental restorations (fillings, crowns) last longer
- Reduce the risk of tooth fractures
- Improve gum health (teeth in the correct position are easier to clean)
- Prevent future dental problems
Clinical Guidance
Correcting a bad bite with jaw surgery prevents abnormal tooth wear by creating even contact across all teeth. This protects your teeth for the long term and helps dental work last longer. It is one of the less visible but most important functional benefits of orthognathic surgery.