# What is each proposed change meant to address?

The combined\-care discussion

Lesson 1: Understand the targets

A tooth\-position goal concerns the arrangement of teeth in the jaws. A jaw\-relationship goal concerns how the jaws relate to each other. In an already proposed combined\-care plan, understanding both goals helps you follow what each part is intended to address.

Each lesson includes an original fictional explanation and a completed interpretation. Read on screen, in Markdown or with your browser's Print command.

## Two targets can belong to one bite goal

An explanation of tooth alignment tells you about the intended positions of the teeth. An explanation of a proposed jaw\-position change tells you about a different target: the relationship between the jaws. Both can matter in the clinician's explanation of how the upper and lower teeth are intended to meet.

This distinction is useful when a proposal mentions both orthodontics and surgery. The word alignment alone does not tell you which target the clinician means. Keep the stated tooth goal and jaw goal visible in the explanation, rather than treating every proposed change as another way of straightening teeth.

Source: [AAO: combined orthodontic and surgical care](https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/orthodontic-surgery/)
Source: [CUH: jaw or chin corrective surgery information](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/patient-information-and-consent-to-jaw-or-chin-corrective-surgery-orthognathic-surgery/)

## A complete fictional explanation

Maya is an adult whose clinician has already introduced combined orthodontic and jaw\-surgery care. This original educational example shows an explanation she receives, rather than a diagnosis for readers or a description of a SMILE\-FX® treatment protocol.

Maya asks: When you describe changing my bite, what are you proposing to change?

Her clinician explains: The tooth\-position goal in my proposal is to align your teeth within each jaw. The jaw\-relationship goal is to change how your upper and lower jaws relate, with the aim of changing how the upper and lower teeth meet. These are distinct targets within the combined proposal. Aligning the teeth is not being proposed as a substitute for that jaw\-position change.

Source: [AAO: combined orthodontic and surgical care](https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/orthodontic-surgery/)
Source: [CUH: jaw or chin corrective surgery information](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/patient-information-and-consent-to-jaw-or-chin-corrective-surgery-orthognathic-surgery/)

## What Maya can now understand

The tooth\-position part has a named purpose: alignment within each jaw. The jaw\-relationship part has a named purpose too: changing the relationship between the jaws as part of the proposed bite goal. Maya has received enough explanation to distinguish those purposes without having to infer them from a drawing or the phrase combined care.

The important connection is that a shared bite goal can involve two different proposed changes. A description of straighter teeth would capture only the tooth\-position target in this example. A description of jaw surgery alone would leave out the stated tooth\-alignment target. Keeping both in view preserves the meaning of the proposal without turning it into a choice between two competing labels.

Source: [AAO: combined orthodontic and surgical care](https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/orthodontic-surgery/)
Source: [CUH: jaw or chin corrective surgery information](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/patient-information-and-consent-to-jaw-or-chin-corrective-surgery-orthognathic-surgery/)

## Carry the stated goals into the next explanation

The useful conclusion is specific: Maya's proposal includes tooth alignment and a jaw\-relationship change, with both connected to the clinician's stated bite goal. That identifies what the proposal is trying to address. It does not yet explain how the two jobs relate within her care or how the proposed endpoint compares with an alternative.

The next lessons develop those separate parts of the discussion. If the difficulty is reading a view of upper and lower teeth, the BiteGuide explanation below supplies that drawing context. Use your clinician's explanation to identify the targets in your own proposal.

- [Read how upper and lower teeth meet in BiteGuide](https://orthodonticbitebroward.com/how-upper-and-lower-teeth-meet)
Source: [AAO: combined orthodontic and surgical care](https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/orthodontic-surgery/)
Source: [CUH: jaw or chin corrective surgery information](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/patient-information-and-consent-to-jaw-or-chin-corrective-surgery-orthognathic-surgery/)

## Keep exploring

- [Understand why the proposed jobs belong together](/different-jobs-in-combined-care)
- [Compare the stated endpoints and tradeoffs](/comparing-endpoints-and-tradeoffs)

[Visit details](/visit)

## Your individual next step

Discuss the orthodontic part of your proposal

[Request an in-person consultation](https://www.smile-fx.com/lp/free-consult/?utm_source=jaw-surgery-discussion-guide&utm_medium=microsite&utm_campaign=smile-fx-guides)

This opens SMILE\-FX®'s existing free in\-person consultation request page. The team confirms appointment scope, case acceptance and arrangements individually.

[Call (954) 824-9707](tel:+19548249707)

Understanding a combined\-care proposal

Published by SMILE\-FX® Orthodontic & Clear Aligner Studio. 11225 Miramar Pkwy, STE B285, Miramar, FL 33025. One Miramar practice.

Education for adults already discussing combined care. Your treating clinicians explain your findings, proposed operation, alternatives and personal risks.

[About this guide & sources](/about-this-guide) · [Privacy](/privacy)