Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery – also called orthognathic surgery – is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth. Surgery can improve breathing, chewing and speaking. While the patient’s appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of the surgery, orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems.

Jaw surgery
can have a
dramatic effect
on many aspects
of life.

The following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery:

Difficulty chewing or biting food
Difficulty swallowing
Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain
Excessive wear of the teeth
Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
Unbalanced facial appearance from the front or side
Facial injury
Congenital craniofacial anomalies seen at birth
Receding lower jaw and chin
Protruding jaw
Inability to make the lips meet without straining
Chronic mouth breathing
Obstructive sleep apnea

Your orthodontist and OMS will work together to determine whether you are a candidate for orthognathic surgery. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon determines which corrective jaw surgical procedures are appropriate and performs the surgery. It is important to understand that your treatment, which will probably include orthodontics before and after surgery, is a process rather than a single event. Your OMS and orthodontist understand this is a long-term commitment for you and your family, and will try to realistically estimate the time required for your treatment.