If you or your child is in orthodontic treatment, or is about to start, there is a good chance an oral surgeon could be part of the picture at some point. For many patients, this comes as a surprise. Orthodontists straighten teeth and align bites, oral surgeons handle everything structural. When those two things are connected, which they often are, the two specialists work as a team.

Dr. Jeffrey Chandler at Elmhurst Oral Surgery has an established working relationship with orthodontists throughout the western Chicago suburbs. Understanding how that collaboration works, and when it is needed, helps patients and families feel prepared rather than caught off guard.

Two Different Specialists, One Shared Goal

Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on the position and alignment of teeth and jaws, using braces, clear aligners, and other appliances. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are surgical specialists who address the bone, tissue, and structural conditions that affect how teeth erupt, how the jaw functions, and what the bite can ultimately look like.

The two specialties overlap more than most patients realize. There are several clinical situations in which achieving the best orthodontic outcome requires surgical intervention first, or where an orthodontic patient’s treatment cannot advance until an oral surgery issue is resolved. In those cases, your orthodontist makes a referral to oral surgery and the two providers coordinate closely throughout treatment.

The Most Common Reasons Orthodontists Refer to an Oral Surgeon

Impacted Teeth That Cannot Erupt on Their Own

Wisdom teeth are the most commonly known impacted teeth, but they are not the only ones. Canine teeth, also called cuspids, are the second most frequently impacted teeth after wisdom teeth. When an upper canine tooth is trapped beneath the gum and unable to erupt into its correct position, the orthodontist and oral surgeon work together using a procedure called expose and bond.

Dr. Chandler surgically exposes the impacted tooth, and the orthodontist then attaches a small bracket and gold chain and uses gentle tension on that chain over time to guide the tooth into its correct position in the arch. The result is a fully functional, natural tooth in exactly the right place, rather than a tooth that remains buried or requires extraction.

This coordinated approach is one of the more technically involved examples of oral surgery and orthodontics working in sequence, and it requires close communication between both providers throughout the process.

Wisdom Teeth Before or During Orthodontic Treatment

One of the most common reasons an orthodontist refers a patient to Dr. Chandler is wisdom teeth. When a patient begins orthodontic treatment and wisdom teeth are present or developing, the orthodontist needs to know how those teeth are positioned and whether they will interfere with treatment or with results once braces come off.

Wisdom teeth that are impacted or erupting at an angle can exert pressure on the existing teeth, potentially undermining the alignment work being done. In many cases the orthodontist will recommend removal of wisdom teeth before or during treatment to protect the outcome and reduce the risk of relapse once the braces are removed.

Summer is an especially strategic time for this, since students in active orthodontic treatment can complete wisdom tooth removal during break without disrupting the school year. Healing is complete before the next orthodontic adjustment appointment.

Jaw Discrepancies That Require Surgical Correction

Some bite problems, such as a significantly underbite, overbite, or asymmetric jaw growth, cannot be fully corrected with orthodontics alone. When the upper and lower jaws do not align properly due to skeletal differences rather than just tooth position, orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, is part of the treatment plan.

In these cases, the patient typically undergoes orthodontic treatment first to align the teeth, then jaw surgery to reposition the jaw bones, then a final phase of orthodontic finishing. Dr. Chandler performs orthognathic surgery with careful coordination alongside the patient’s orthodontist. This kind of treatment requires precise planning and a clear shared understanding of the end goal across both providers.

Ankylosed Teeth

An ankylosed tooth is one that has fused directly to the surrounding bone, preventing it from erupting normally or responding to orthodontic forces. When orthodontic movement is attempted on an ankylosed tooth, it does not move. Surgical intervention is required to either luxate the tooth and attempt re-eruption, or to extract it and plan for replacement. The orthodontist identifies the problem during treatment planning, and the surgical decision is made in coordination with Dr. Chandler.

Frenum Attachments Affecting Tooth Position

A frenum is the small band of tissue that connects the lip or cheek to the gum. When the upper frenum is particularly thick or attached low, it can create or maintain a gap between the upper front teeth, called a diastema, even during active orthodontic treatment. In these cases, a minor surgical procedure called a frenectomy removes the frenum attachment, allowing the gap to close and remain closed as orthodontic treatment continues.

What Coordinated Care Looks Like in Practice

When an orthodontist refers a patient to Elmhurst Oral Surgery, the process is designed to be as seamless as possible for the patient and family. Dr. Chandler receives the relevant records, conducts his own evaluation, and communicates his findings and plan back to the referring orthodontist. After any procedure, the orthodontist is updated so the next phase of treatment can proceed with full information.

Patients do not need to act as the go-between for two providers. The communication happens at the clinical level, which means appointments are coordinated, timing is intentional, and the overall treatment plan stays on track.

Why the Sequence of Treatment Matters

In co-treatment cases, the order of procedures matters and is planned deliberately. Attempting to move teeth orthodontically before a structural issue is resolved can waste time, compromise the result, or cause damage. Getting the sequencing right, which requires both providers to agree on the plan upfront, is what allows the orthodontic outcome to be as good as it can be.

This is one of the reasons the relationship between an oral surgeon and the referring orthodontic community matters so much. Dr. Chandler’s co-treatment protocol is built around reliable communication, thorough documentation, and timely follow-through so that orthodontic practices can trust that their patients are in the right hands and that their treatment plan will proceed as intended.

Questions Patients Often Ask

Will I need to see both providers at the same time?

In most co-treatment cases, the procedures happen in stages rather than simultaneously. Your orthodontist will refer you to Dr. Chandler when the surgical piece is needed, and once that phase is complete, orthodontic treatment continues or concludes. The coordination happens in the background so your experience as a patient is straightforward.

Does insurance cover oral surgery as part of orthodontic treatment?

Coverage depends on the specific procedure and your insurance plan. Some surgical procedures that are part of orthodontic treatment may be covered under dental insurance, medical insurance, or both. The team at Elmhurst Oral Surgery reviews your benefits at the consultation and helps you understand what to expect before anything is scheduled.

How do I know if my child needs an oral surgery referral?

If your child’s orthodontist recommends a referral to an oral surgeon, that recommendation is based on what they are seeing in the X-rays and clinical exam. It is worth asking your orthodontist to explain exactly what they have found and what the surgical procedure is intended to accomplish. Coming to the consultation with that context makes the appointment more productive for everyone.

Serving Orthodontic Patients Throughout the Western Suburbs

Dr. Jeffrey Chandler at Elmhurst Oral Surgery works alongside orthodontic practices throughout Elmhurst, Oak Park, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, and the broader western Chicago suburb area. If you have been referred by your orthodontist, or if you are an orthodontic provider looking for a reliable oral surgery partner for your patients, the team at EOS is ready to connect.

Call: 630-833-0395

Online: elmhurstoralsurgery.com

Office: 360 W. Butterfield Rd., Suite 220, Elmhurst, IL