Jaw Surgery

While you are asleep under general anesthesia, your oral surgeon will manipulate your jawbones and move them into their new positions according to your exact treatment plan. Tiny screws and custom plates secure the bone in the correct location for healing, rather than wires that were used in the past.

Recovery from jaw surgery typically takes about 6–12 weeks for initial healing, but full recovery can take up to 12 months. Most patients return to normal activities within 3–6 weeks. Your exact timeline may vary depending on the specific treatment and individual health factors.

Most patients sleep on their backs with their head elevated for the first 2 to 4 weeks. Our specialists will let you know when it's safe to return to side-sleeping based on your healing progress. During early recovery, it's crucial to avoid pressure on the jaw and keep your head elevated.

Talking may be limited in the first few days due to swelling and discomfort. Most patients can speak more comfortably after 1–2 weeks, although full ease of speaking can take longer, depending on the type of surgery and healing process.

Yes, corrective jaw surgery often improves facial balance, symmetry, and profile by aligning the jawbones. While many patients find the results both functional and aesthetically beneficial, our oral surgeons will review the expected outcomes with you before surgery.

You'll be under general anesthesia during surgery, and post-op pain is usually managed with medication. While discomfort is expected during recovery, most patients report it as being manageable and improving significantly within the first few weeks.

Most patients can begin eating soft or solid foods around 6 to 8 weeks after jaw surgery, depending on their healing progress and the surgeon's approval. Initially, you'll be on a liquid or soft food diet to protect the surgical area. Always follow your surgeon’s specific dietary guidelines.

You may need jaw surgery if you have issues like chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing or speaking, a misaligned bite, sleep apnea, or facial asymmetry. Our orthodontists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons can evaluate your symptoms. If you're unsure or think you might be a candidate, it’s best to book a consultation for a professional evaluation.

Corrective jaw surgery typically takes 1 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether one or both jaws are being treated. Our oral surgeons will give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific treatment plan.

There are different types of orthognathic surgery to correct different issues with each of the jaw bones–or both.

• Lower jaw surgery, or mandibular osteotomy, corrects a receding or protruding lower jaw (mandible) with procedures such as Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO), Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy (IVRO), and Subapical Osteotomy.
• Upper jaw surgery, or maxillary osteotomy, corrects issues with the upper jaw (maxilla) like crossbites, open bites, and receding or protruding upper jaw with procedures like Lefort Osteotomies.
• Double jaw surgery, or bimaxillary osteotomy, corrects both the upper and lower jaws. And when the chin needs correction with a jaw surgery, a genioplasty can position the chin for improved projection and alignment.
• When the airway needs to be enlarged, a Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) can reposition both jaws to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Your surgeon will guide you through the procedures that may be right for you.