Orthognathic Surgery

Home / Treatment

Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw or chin when a significant skeletal imbalance can't be corrected with braces alone. These imbalances can affect chewing, speaking, breathing and sleep, as well as facial balance.

Who may need it

Jaw surgery is generally considered once growth is complete, usually in late teens or adulthood. It's used for severe underbites, overbites, open bites and facial asymmetry.

A team approach

We work together with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon:

  1. Pre-surgical orthodontics: braces align the teeth so they'll fit correctly once the jaws are repositioned.
  2. Surgery: performed by the oral surgeon, typically in a hospital setting.
  3. Post-surgical orthodontics: after healing, we fine-tune the bite before braces are removed.

We'll walk you through every step and coordinate closely with your surgeon so you know what to expect.