Jaw (Orthognathic) Surgery
Corrective surgery to realign the jaws and improve how your bite fits together, often planned alongside your orthodontist.
Realigning the Jaw
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, to correct a misaligned bite or facial imbalance that braces alone can't fix. It's typically done as part of a coordinated plan with your orthodontist, who prepares the teeth before surgery and fine-tunes the bite afterward.
While it's often thought of as a bite issue, jaw surgery can also improve chewing, speech, breathing, and the overall balance of the face.
Common Reasons It's Recommended
Bite Misalignment
An overbite, underbite, or crossbite that's too severe for braces alone to correct often needs surgical repositioning of the jaw.
Chewing or Speech Difficulty
A jaw that doesn't line up properly can make it hard to chew effectively or affect how certain sounds are formed when speaking.
Jaw Pain or TMJ Issues
Misalignment can put uneven stress on the jaw joint, sometimes contributing to chronic jaw pain.
Sleep Apnea & Airway Issues
Repositioning the jaw can open up the airway, which is sometimes recommended for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
The Treatment Process
Planning with Your Orthodontist
Braces typically come first to align the teeth within each jaw, preparing them to fit together properly once the jaw is repositioned.
The Surgery
Jaw surgery is typically performed in an operating room setting under general anesthesia. The jaw is carefully repositioned and secured with small plates and screws.
Recovery & Follow-Up
Most of the initial healing takes several weeks, though complete healing and bone remodeling can take up to a year, with continued orthodontic care to fine-tune the bite into its final position.
Schedule a Consultation
We'll take a look and figure out the right plan for your care.