Orthognathic (jaw) surgery
Correcting jaw alignment for better function and aesthetics
Orthognathic (jaw) surgery is a procedure designed to correct issues with the alignment of the jawbones. This surgery is typically recommended when the upper and lower jaws do not line up properly, which can lead to difficulties with chewing, speaking, breathing, and may even affect the overall appearance of the face.
By realigning the jaw, this surgery can help improve your bite, create a more balanced smile, and alleviate discomfort associated with jaw misalignment.
For those facing challenges related to jaw alignment, orthognathic (jaw) surgery can provide significant functional and aesthetic benefits.
Who is a Candidate?
Patients with jaw misalignment that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone.
Indications include:
- Skeletal malocclusion (e.g., overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite)
- Facial asymmetry or disproportionate jaw growth
- Obstructive sleep apnoea due to jaw structure
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing related to jaw position
- Post-traumatic or congenital jaw deformities.
Recovery Timeline
This is likely to vary with provider.
- Hospital stay: Typically 1–3 days, depending on complexity
- Initial recovery:
- Swelling, bruising, and mild pain for 1–2 weeks
- Liquid or soft diet required for 4–6 weeks
- Jaw movement restricted initially - may use elastics or splints
- Return to light activities: 2–3 weeks
- Full recovery: 3–6 months, including orthodontic finishing and bone healing.
Benefits
- Improves bite and jaw alignment, enabling proper chewing and speech
- Enhances facial balance and aesthetics, correcting asymmetry
- Can relieve jaw pain (TMJ discomfort) and muscle strain
- Improves airway function - may reduce sleep apnoea symptoms
- Permanent structural correction, often combined with orthodontic treatment for optimal results.
Risks
- Swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness (especially lower lip and chin)
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury - possible persistent numbness in lips or cheeks
- Relapse of jaw position (partial movement back to pre-surgery alignment)
- Difficulty eating or speaking during recovery
- Need for further orthodontic adjustments post-surgery.
This is just an outline. Your specialist surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.
Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw procedure that restores both function and facial harmony, combining surgical repositioning of the jaws with orthodontic care. It offers life-changing functional and aesthetic improvements, though recovery is gradual and requires strong patient commitment.