Understanding Jaw Surgery: Procedures and Benefits

The term orthognathic surgery describes a planned set of procedures to correct misaligned jaws and improve how teeth meet. This treatment blends function and appearance to help chewing, speech, breathing, and facial balance.

Patients follow a clear path that includes diagnostics, orthodontic preparation with braces, coordinated planning with a surgeon and orthodontist, and a day in the hospital for the operation. Oral and maxillofacial surgery repositions bones and secures them so alignment holds over time.

Recovery involves weeks of early healing and a staged diet that moves from liquids to soft foods. Most people spend months preparing with orthodontics and then several weeks recovering; outcomes are strong, with reported success near 94% when the team and plan match the patient’s needs.

Providers recommend this option when nonsurgical care no longer solves persistent bite problems, jaw discomfort, or breathing-related issues. The section that follows explains procedures, expected timelines, and how changes affect teeth, bite function, and appearance.

Key Takeaways

Orthognathic surgery corrects alignment to improve bite, function, and appearance.
A coordinated team—surgeon, orthodontist, and care staff—plans treatment over months.
Oral and maxillofacial procedures reposition bone and stabilize the upper and lower jaws.
Recovery includes hospital care, diet progression, and several weeks of early healing.
Teeth, bite, chewing, and speech are primary goals; success rates are high when indicated.

What Jaw Surgery Is and What It Can Correct

Correcting skeletal alignment means moving the maxilla, mandible, or both to a planned place. In practical terms, this procedure repositions bones so the upper and lower arches meet properly.

How it works

Braces align teeth. When the problem is skeletal, braces alone do not fix the relationship between bones and teeth. Oral maxillofacial teams set a new position for the bones and then orthodontic treatment finishes the bite.

Conditions treated

Severe malocclusion that causes poor bite, chewing or speech problems.
Persistent TMJ pain that may relate to skeletal misalignment.
Obstructive sleep apnea when airway size improves after repositioning.

Patient outcomes and care

Improved alignment often reduces tooth strain, improves chewing, and can change facial appearance. A doctor and surgeon evaluate whether noninvasive care is enough or if combined orthodontics and oral maxillofacial work is needed.

Patients usually receive a customized plan from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist within a medical center setting. For information on related clinical services, see related clinical services.

Who May Be a Candidate for Jaw Surgery

Severe skeletal bite patterns that resist orthodontic care are common triggers for evaluation. A clinical team looks at function, symptoms, and long-term stability before recommending corrective treatment.

Typical bite problems: underbite, overbite, open bite, and facial asymmetry that shifts the chin off midline.
Tooth wear and oral health: an imbalanced bite can overload specific teeth. That extra force speeds enamel wear and may cause chronic dental problems despite routine care.

Candidacy is not based on appearance alone. Doctors assess pain, chewing, speech, airway concerns, and how well orthodontics alone can fix the issue. Often, the plan involves one or both jaws depending on the skeletal mismatch.

Timing matters: corrective procedures are usually planned after facial growth is complete, commonly between ages 15 and 18, to avoid “outgrowing” the result.

“Evaluation requires coordinated records and a treatment plan with an orthodontist and a surgeon.”

Underlying causes include congenital differences—cleft lip/palate, hemifacial microsomia, Pierre Robin sequence, craniosynostosis, Treacher Collins, and ectodermal dysplasia—as well as injury or fractures that change jaw position.

Patients typically need an appointment for diagnostic records and a coordinated plan. For related clinical services and to connect with an experienced provider, see dental and maxillofacial services.

Planning and Preparing for Orthognathic Treatment

Careful planning turns complex corrective treatment into a predictable process for patients and clinicians. A coordinated team guides each step so expectations are clear.

Team and support

The core team includes an oral maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist. They work with a medical center’s perioperative staff and nurses.

Diagnostics and digital planning

Patients receive radiographs, 3D imaging, facial and tooth measurements, clinical photos, and bite models. Computer-assisted planning maps bone moves to fit each person’s anatomy and teeth goals.

Orthodontic timeline and preparation

Braces usually begin 6–12 months before the operation and often continue for another 6–12 months afterward. This phases teeth into the proper position so the surgeon can set bones precisely.

Pre-op and day-of expectations

The pre-op appointment reviews the plan, discusses anesthesia, and covers instructions for swelling, pain control, and follow-up. The procedure occurs under general anesthesia and most patients stay one to two nights in the hospital.

Phase	Typical Duration	Key Steps	Milestone
Pre-op orthodontics	6–12 months	Braces, alignment of teeth	Ready for operation
Surgical care	Day + 1–2 nights	General anesthesia, monitoring	Immediate stability
Early healing	6 weeks	Liquids/soft foods, limited activity	Bone consolidation
Post-op orthodontics	6–12 months	Fine-tune teeth position	Final occlusion

Clear timelines, checkpoints with the surgeon and orthodontist, and structured follow-up reduce surprises and help patients return to normal routines. For more information on orthognathic treatment and services, see orthognathic surgery expert treatment.

Common Procedures in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for Jaw Alignment

Common corrective techniques in oral and maxillofacial care address both form and function of the facial skeleton. The chosen approach depends on bite problems, bone position goals, and airway needs.

Upper maxilla repositioning

The Le Fort I osteotomy mobilizes the upper jaw so the maxilla can move forward, backward, up, or down. This helps the teeth meet the lower arch and improves facial balance.

Lower mandible adjustment

The bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) splits the lower jaw to slide it forward or back. The move corrects underbite or overbite relationships and stabilizes the bite.

Two‑jaw correction and chin refinement

When one shift cannot achieve a stable occlusion, a coordinated upper lower procedure aligns both arches for function and appearance.

Genioplasty refines chin position to center the midline and support facial harmony after repositioning.

Distraction for underdevelopment

Distraction osteogenesis gradually lengthens bone with a distractor turned daily for two to three weeks. The device stays in place during consolidation and is removed about 12 weeks later.

Access and fixation

Incisions are often inside the mouth to avoid visible scars. Small plates and screws hold bones in the planned position while healing proceeds.

Expect swelling and a staged diet of liquids and soft foods during the early weeks. Follow-up with the surgeon and orthodontist ensures proper healing and tooth alignment.

Conclusion

A coordinated process with clear records and planning makes corrective jaw care predictable and patient-centered.

This approach aims to improve bite stability, chewing and speaking mechanics, breathing in some cases, and facial appearance through controlled repositioning and fixation.

Appropriate patients are selected after detailed records and teamwork between oral maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Timelines matter: preparation, the operative window, and recovery are part of the plan so expectations stay realistic.

Reported success rates approach 94% overall, though individual outcomes depend on accurate diagnosis, precise planning, and following aftercare. Patients should schedule a consultation with an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon to review goals and records and to learn whether this treatment fits their needs.

For related options and to unlock your best smile, request a personalized consult with the surgical team.

FAQ

What does orthognathic surgery involve and which jaws can be treated?

Orthognathic procedures involve repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct bite and facial balance. A maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist collaborate to plan bone cuts, movement, and fixation using plates and screws. Many incisions are made inside the mouth to avoid visible scars.

Which conditions can this type of care address?

It treats malocclusion (bad bite), TMJ-related pain, obstructive sleep apnea related to airway size, and functional problems such as difficulty chewing or speech issues. It also helps with facial asymmetry and bite-related tooth wear.

How does changing jaw position affect chewing, speech, breathing, and appearance?

Moving the bones improves tooth alignment and bite function, which eases chewing and reduces abnormal wear. It can remove airway obstruction for better breathing, refine facial proportions, and often improves speech clarity by stabilizing dental and skeletal relationships.

When is nonsurgical treatment not enough?

Braces and other orthodontic tools correct tooth position but cannot change underlying bone structure. When skeletal discrepancies cause functional problems or significant aesthetic concerns, combined orthodontic treatment and surgery are the recommended approach.

Who typically qualifies for corrective jaw procedures?

Candidates have conditions such as underbite, overbite, open bite, or marked asymmetry that compromise function or oral health. People with ongoing tooth wear, chronic jaw pain, or sleep-disordered breathing may also benefit. The care team evaluates each case individually.

Why is timing important and when is treatment usually scheduled?

Treatment is often planned after facial growth finishes—typically in late adolescence or adulthood—to ensure stable results. Growth considerations, congenital syndromes, or prior cleft repairs influence the timing and treatment sequence.

What diagnostic steps are used to plan treatment?

Planning includes radiographs, dental models, facial photos, measurements, and often 3D computer planning. These tools let the team simulate outcomes, determine bone movements, and create a coordinated orthodontic and surgical plan.

How long do braces and orthodontic phases usually last around the procedure?

Orthodontic preparation and finishing can each take several months to more than a year depending on complexity. Patients often spend months in preoperative alignment and several months after surgery to refine the bite.

What should a patient expect the day of the operation and during hospitalization?

Pre-op visits cover fasting, medications, and anesthesia consent. On the day, general anesthesia is typical and hospital stay ranges from outpatient to a few nights based on the procedure and patient needs. Pain control, IV fluids, and monitoring for swelling are routine.

What are common procedures used to reposition the upper and lower facial bones?

Upper jaw repositioning often uses a Le Fort I osteotomy to move the maxilla. The lower jaw commonly undergoes a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) to shift the mandible. Two-jaw procedures align both for improved balance, and genioplasty can refine chin position.

What is distraction osteogenesis and when is it used?

Distraction osteogenesis gradually lengthens bone by controlled mechanical expansion. Surgeons use it for severely underdeveloped bones when large advancements are needed or when soft tissue limits immediate repositioning.

How are bones stabilized after repositioning?

Surgeons typically use small plates and screws placed on the bone surface to hold segments in the planned position. Many fixation points are accessible via intraoral incisions, reducing external scarring and enabling early functional recovery.

What are the typical recovery timeline and care instructions after the operation?

Initial swelling and discomfort peak in the first week and improve over several weeks. Soft or liquid diets are common for the first six weeks while bones begin healing. Full bone remodeling and final dental adjustments can take several months, with regular follow-up visits and guidance from the surgeon and orthodontist.

What dietary and daily-care changes are usually recommended after the procedure?

Patients follow a progressive diet: liquids to purees, then soft foods before returning to regular chewing as advised. Oral hygiene, cold compresses early on, and prescribed pain medication or antibiotics support healing. The team provides clear, staged instructions.

Are there risks and how does the team manage complications?

Risks include infection, nerve changes, bleeding, relapse of position, or hardware issues. The multidisciplinary team mitigates these with careful planning, sterile technique, antibiotics when indicated, and prompt follow-up. Most complications are rare and manageable with timely care.