Reconstructive First

Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Braces move teeth; they cannot move the bone the teeth sit in. When the jaws are different sizes or sit wrongly, this surgery repositions one or both so the teeth meet and the face is balanced.

Request a Consultation Call (949) 204-0775

9–18 mo

braces before surgery

2–4 wk

typical time off work

3D VSP

virtual surgical planning

ABOMS

board certified surgeon

9–18 mo

braces before surgery

2–4 wk

typical time off work

3D VSP

virtual surgical planning

ABOMS

board certified surgeon

How It Works

Jaw surgery vs braces alone

Jaw surgery

Braces alone

Moves

The jaw bones

Only the teeth

Fixes a skeletal bite

Yes

Facial balance

Corrected

Unchanged

Airway

Can be opened

No effect

A skeletal discrepancy is a difference in the position or size of the jaws, not the teeth. Orthodontics can move teeth within the bone; it cannot move the bone. Where the jaws themselves are misaligned, surgery is what corrects it.

Treatment is a partnership: braces align the teeth within each jaw, surgery repositions the jaws, then a final orthodontic phase settles the bite. Function comes first, with facial balance as a consequence of getting the skeleton right.

Conditions It Corrects

Underbite (Class III)

The lower jaw sits ahead of the upper. Surgery sets it back, advances the upper jaw, or both.

Overbite & retrusive chin

The lower jaw is set back. Surgery advances it, sometimes with a chin procedure — which also opens the airway.

Open bite

The front teeth do not touch when the back teeth close. The upper jaw is repositioned so the bite closes evenly.

Crossbite & narrow upper jaw

The upper teeth sit inside the lower. In adults, widening usually needs SARPE.

Facial asymmetry

One side of the jaw has grown more than the other, so correction is planned in three dimensions.

Sleep-disordered breathing

Advancing the jaws enlarges the airway and can substantially improve obstructive sleep apnea.

What Happens

Records — a clinical exam, photographs, a digital scan, a panoramic radiograph and a cone beam CT.

A virtual surgical plan moves the jaws on screen, then becomes 3D-printed splints that transfer it precisely.

Pre-surgical braces, typically 9 to 18 months, align the teeth within each jaw.

Surgery under general anesthesia, with 1 to 2 nights in hospital for most cases.

Post-surgical orthodontics, 6 to 12 months, to settle the bite.

What Happens

01Records — a clinical exam, photographs, a digital scan, a panoramic radiograph and a cone beam CT.

02A virtual surgical plan moves the jaws on screen, then becomes 3D-printed splints that transfer it precisely.

03Pre-surgical braces, typically 9 to 18 months, align the teeth within each jaw.

04Surgery under general anesthesia, with 1 to 2 nights in hospital for most cases.

05Post-surgical orthodontics, 6 to 12 months, to settle the bite.

Signs You May Be a Candidate

Difficulty chewing, biting or swallowing

Chronic jaw or joint pain (TMJ dysfunction)

Lips that will not close without visible strain

Chronic mouth breathing, snoring or diagnosed sleep apnea

A receding or protruding chin, or an off-center jaw

What Do They Cost?

Corrective jaw surgery is usually billed to medical insurance, not dental, when functional impairment is documented. Pre-authorization is commonly required 4 to 6 weeks ahead.

For scale, RealSelf reports an average of about $30,623 across 259 patient reviews — from roughly $3,000 out of pocket with good coverage up to $150,000 for complex double-jaw cases without it. Market ranges, not a quote; we verify benefits and talk you through likely coverage.

Recovery

Swelling peaks around day 2 or 3, then improves on a liquid, then soft, diet; most people return to work in two to four weeks and reach bony union around six weeks. Jaws are held with titanium plates and guiding elastics — rarely wired shut.

Days 1–3 swelling peaksWeeks 2–4 back to work~6 wk union, then normal chewing

PRP Therapy — heal faster →

Aftercare

A liquid diet the first week, advancing to soft as the bone unites

Wear the guiding elastics exactly as directed

Sleep with your head elevated

No strenuous activity until you are cleared

Braces come off only after the bite has settled

Call the Office If

You develop a fever

Pain worsens after the first week

The bite suddenly feels different

You have any difficulty breathing

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate?

If your bite cannot be corrected by orthodontics alone, or the jaws are visibly disproportionate, you may be — a consultation with records and imaging answers it.

Do I need braces before and after surgery?

Almost always: typically 9 to 18 months before surgery and 6 to 12 months after, to align the teeth within each jaw and then settle the bite.

Is jaw surgery covered by insurance?

Frequently, through medical rather than dental coverage, when functional impairment is documented. Pre-authorization is usually required.

Will my jaw be wired shut?

Rarely now. Titanium plates and screws hold the bone rigidly, so most patients use guiding elastics instead.

How long until I can go back to work?

Most people return commonly 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, depending on the procedure and your job. Full function can take up to a year.

Can jaw surgery fix sleep apnea or TMJ pain?

Advancing the jaws enlarges the airway and can substantially improve obstructive sleep apnea. TMJ results are less predictable, and improvement is not promised.

Become Our Next Success Story

2121 E Coast Hwy, Ste 160, Corona del Mar · Mon–Thu 8–5, Fri 8–2

Request a Consultation Call (949) 204-0775