Orthognathic Jaw Surgery

What Is Orthognathic Jaw Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct severe bite problems, facial asymmetry, and skeletal discrepancies. It's used when the jaw bones themselves are misaligned — not just the teeth. Conditions treated include severe underbite, overbite, open bite, crossbite, sleep apnea related to jaw structure, and facial trauma.

How It Works

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. The surgeon cuts, repositions, and stabilizes the jaw bones with titanium plates and screws. A liquid/soft diet is required for 6–8 weeks during healing. Orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners) typically precedes and follows surgery to fine-tune the bite.

Key Benefits

• Corrects severe skeletal problems no other treatment can fix
• Dramatically improves chewing, speaking, and breathing function
• Can eliminate obstructive sleep apnea in appropriate candidates
• Significant facial aesthetic improvement
• Long-lasting permanent correction

Frequently Asked Questions