Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery or jaw alignment surgery, repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to address a significant skeletal jaw discrepancy.
When the jaws do not align properly, a patient may have difficulty biting or chewing, an uneven bite, facial asymmetry, or other functional concerns. At Smile & Speak, corrective jaw surgery is assessed as a medically indicated treatment for skeletal misalignment, not as cosmetic treatment alone. Assessment helps determine whether surgery is appropriate and whether orthodontic treatment or other support is also needed.
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Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that repositions the jawbones to correct skeletal and dental irregularities. The upper jaw is called the maxilla, and the lower jaw is called the mandible. These structures need to work together for a functional bite and comfortable chewing.
Unlike orthodontic treatment, which moves teeth, corrective jaw surgery addresses the position of the jawbones themselves. Many patients need orthodontic care before and/or after surgery so that the teeth fit together appropriately after the jaws are repositioned.
People with substantial skeletal jaw misalignment or persistent functional concerns may benefit from an assessment by an appropriate surgical and orthodontic team. These signs do not by themselves confirm that surgery is needed.
Jaw growth and facial development are important when planning corrective jaw surgery. Early evaluation can help identify a developing skeletal discrepancy, monitor bite and function, and coordinate orthodontic care.
For most developmental jaw discrepancies, definitive orthognathic surgery is planned after facial skeletal growth is sufficiently complete. The right timing varies with the diagnosis, growth pattern, medical needs and overall treatment plan.
Ask the treating team how growth, dental alignment, imaging and any cleft-related history affect the recommended timing.
The approach depends on jaw anatomy, the skeletal discrepancy, bite relationship and treatment goals. The names below describe common categories, not recommendations for a particular patient.
When surgery is clinically indicated and carefully planned, it aims to correct the underlying skeletal discrepancy and improve function. The benefit for an individual depends on the diagnosis, procedure, healing and any additional treatment needed.
Individual results vary. Surgery cannot guarantee permanent correction, a specific facial appearance, or improvement in every speech or breathing concern.
Some people born with cleft lip and palate develop upper-jaw growth deficiency or other skeletal discrepancies as they mature. These may affect dental alignment, chewing, facial balance and aspects of speech-related oral function.
Planning may need to take account of previous cleft procedures, palatal anatomy, dental development, facial growth and speech function. In cleft palate patients, maxillary advancement needs particular attention to velopharyngeal function because changes in jaw position can influence speech resonance.
A comprehensive assessment helps the team understand the skeletal discrepancy and decide whether surgery is appropriate. It also creates an opportunity to discuss the expected process, possible risks, limitations, alternatives and recovery requirements before informed consent.
Orthognathic treatment is a planned sequence rather than a single appointment. The steps and timeline vary by case, and the surgeon and orthodontist explain the expected sequence before treatment begins.
Recovery after corrective jaw surgery depends on the procedure, whether one or both jaws are treated, general health and individual healing. A surgeon should provide a procedure-specific recovery plan rather than relying on a single timeline.
Good aftercare supports healing and helps reduce avoidable complications. Your instructions may include:
Speech assessment and rehabilitation may be helpful for patients with cleft-related conditions or existing articulation concerns. A speech pathologist may assess speech clarity, resonance and compensatory patterns before or after surgery when indicated.
Speech therapy can complement surgical and orthodontic care, but it does not replace correction of a significant skeletal jaw discrepancy. The appropriate support depends on the cause of the patient’s concerns.
Learn more about Smile & Speak’s dental services and cleft lip and palate information.
Orthognathic surgery is a major procedure and carries risks. The risks that apply to a specific patient depend on the planned operation, anatomy, health history and other individual factors.
Smile & Speak’s supplied treatment information describes an individualized approach under the surgical care of Prof. Dr. Ghulam Qadir Fayyaz, with coordination across orthodontic and functional needs when required.
These answers provide general educational information. Individual advice depends on examination, diagnosis, medical history and the treatment plan.
Yes. It is generally considered major surgery because the jawbones are repositioned, usually under general anesthesia. The complexity depends on whether one or both jaws need correction.
Initial recovery usually takes several weeks, but the timeline varies. Some people return to work or study after about two to three weeks, depending on the procedure and healing. Bone healing and functional adaptation continue for several months.
Complete immobilization is not routinely needed in every case. Plates and screws are commonly used to stabilize the jawbones, and some patients may need guiding elastics or specific movement restrictions. Your surgeon will explain the plan for your procedure.
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, bite changes, jaw stiffness, delayed bone healing, hardware-related complications, relapse and anesthesia-related complications. Your surgeon will discuss the risks relevant to your case.
For most developmental jaw discrepancies, definitive surgery is planned after facial skeletal growth is sufficiently complete. The appropriate timing depends on growth, diagnosis and individual needs; a fixed age range does not suit every patient.
A skeletal underbite may be corrected by repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. The correct approach depends on the underlying jaw discrepancy and assessment findings.
Some bite problems respond to orthodontic treatment alone. When a significant skeletal discrepancy is present, braces may not adequately correct the jaw relationship, and corrective jaw surgery may be considered after assessment.
Double jaw surgery, also called bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, repositions both the upper and lower jaws during the same treatment when a more complex correction is needed.
You are under anesthesia during the operation. After surgery, discomfort, swelling and tightness are expected and are managed according to the medication and recovery plan prescribed by your treating team.
It may support selected articulation concerns related to jaw position. Speech disorders can have many causes, however, and some patients need speech assessment or therapy in addition to surgical care.
Certain jaw advancement procedures may be considered for selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A proper airway and sleep assessment is needed; jaw surgery is not automatically appropriate for every breathing concern.
Cost depends on the procedure, whether one or both jaws are treated, hospital and anesthesia charges, imaging, orthodontic treatment and case complexity. Smile & Speak should provide an individualized estimate after assessment; this page does not quote a fixed price.
The aim is long-term correction, but stability depends on the operation, healing, orthodontic treatment, growth and individual anatomy. No operation can guarantee a permanent result for every patient.
Many patients need orthodontic treatment before and after surgery so the teeth fit together in the planned jaw relationship. The sequence varies, and the surgeon and orthodontist will explain the approach that fits your case.
These pages provide more information about related treatment and support options.
Understand common cleft-related conditions and care.
Learn about primary lip repair and treatment planning.
Read about primary cleft palate repair.
Explore revision treatment after earlier lip repair.
Learn about selected secondary palate procedures.
Read about assessment for a residual or recurrent palatal fistula.
Explore speech assessment and therapy support.
Review dental care and related services.
If you have a significant jaw discrepancy, severe underbite or overbite, open bite, difficulty chewing, or facial skeletal asymmetry, a specialist assessment can help determine whether corrective jaw surgery is appropriate.
At Smile & Speak, consultation is the starting point for discussing the underlying problem, potential options, orthodontic coordination, risks and recovery expectations.
Medical information disclaimer: This page is for general patient education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or individualized advice from a qualified clinician.
