What Is Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery, often referred to as corrective jaw surgery, is a surgical procedure that repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, to correct significant skeletal discrepancies that cannot be resolved with orthodontic treatment alone. It addresses issues such as an underbite, overbite, open bite, or facial asymmetry that stem from the underlying bone structure rather than simply tooth position.
This surgery is typically considered for adults or adolescents who have completed jaw growth, once orthodontic treatment alone has been assessed as insufficient to correct the bite and facial harmony, and is usually planned jointly by an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Conditions That May Require Jaw Surgery
Common indications include a pronounced overbite or underbite caused by disproportionate jaw growth, an open bite where the front teeth do not meet even when the back teeth are closed, facial asymmetry due to uneven jaw growth on one side, and functional issues such as difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing linked to jaw position.
Some patients also pursue orthognathic surgery to address obstructive sleep apnoea related to a recessed lower jaw, as repositioning the jaw forward can enlarge the airway and significantly improve breathing during sleep in appropriately selected cases.
The Treatment Journey
Treatment typically begins with a period of pre-surgical orthodontics, often lasting twelve to eighteen months, during which braces align the teeth within each jaw in preparation for surgery, sometimes temporarily worsening the visible bite as the teeth are decompensated from years of adapting to the skeletal discrepancy.
The surgery itself is performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting, with the surgeon making precise cuts in the jawbone to reposition it into the planned new position, secured with small titanium plates and screws. Advanced three-dimensional imaging and virtual surgical planning are increasingly used to improve precision and predictability of outcomes.
Recovery and Post-Surgical Care
Initial recovery involves swelling, some bruising, and a period of eating a soft or liquid diet while the jaw heals, typically lasting several weeks. Most patients require a hospital stay of one to a few days followed by several weeks of restricted activity before returning to normal routines.
Following surgical healing, a further period of orthodontic fine-tuning is usually needed to achieve the final precise bite alignment, with the entire process from initial orthodontics through to final results often spanning two years in total. The functional and aesthetic improvements, however, are typically long-lasting.
Questions patients ask us
- Is orthognathic surgery only for cosmetic improvement?
- No, while facial balance often improves noticeably, the primary purpose is functional, correcting problems with biting, chewing, speech, and in some cases breathing, that arise from significant jaw misalignment. Aesthetic improvement is generally a welcome secondary benefit of correcting the underlying skeletal issue.
- At what age can jaw surgery be performed?
- Orthognathic surgery is generally performed once jaw growth is complete, typically around sixteen to eighteen years of age, though this varies between individuals. Your surgeon and orthodontist will assess growth completion through clinical examination and imaging before recommending timing.
- Will I need braces before and after jaw surgery?
- Yes, in most cases pre-surgical orthodontics is needed to align the teeth appropriately within each jaw before surgery, followed by a shorter period of post-surgical orthodontics to fine-tune the bite once the jaws have healed in their new position.
- How long is the hospital stay and recovery period?
- Most patients stay in hospital for one to a few days following surgery, with initial swelling and dietary restrictions lasting several weeks. Return to work or study is often possible within two to three weeks, though full healing continues for several months.
Get a written plan and cost before you commit
If this is what you are dealing with, the next step is a consultation with radiographs — surgery & jaw cases are seen by the specialist who handles that field. You get a written plan and staged cost before anything begins.
reception@dramitsharmahospital.comThis article is general education and does not replace an in-person examination, radiographs or a diagnosis by a qualified dentist.
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