Jaw Surgery to Improve Facial Function and Appearance

Conditions Treated with Jaw Surgery

Jaw surgery is often combined with other facial plastic surgery procedures to treat a wide variety of concerns, including:

• Problems with biting, chewing or swallowing
• Pain associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Traumatic jaw injuries
• Congenital conditions such as cleft palate
• Breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea
• Cosmetic concerns such as a protruding or receding lower jaw (often combined with chin surgery)

Ideal candidates for jaw surgery

Surgical jaw procedures are most effective and appropriate for individuals whose jaws are fully formed and have stopped growing. This usually occurs in the late teens or early twenties and will vary between males and females.

Often, jaw issues may first be addressed with orthodontics - a specialized type of dentistry. If orthodontic care alone cannot fix the problem, jaw surgery may be an option. The orthodontist and jaw surgeon will often work together to develop an appropriate treatment plan to achieve optimal results for each patient.

Preparing for Jaw Surgery

In many cases, preparation for jaw surgery will include the placement of braces to help align your teeth and bite prior to your procedure – this phase can take several months.

During this phase, you will likely have multiple appointments with both your orthodontist and surgeon before the surgical plan is finalized and the procedure is scheduled. Pre-surgery assessments will frequently include taking measurements, molds and/or X-rays of your mouth.

Performing Jaw Surgery

Most surgical jaw procedures require several hours to complete and are always done under general anesthesia. Most of the incisions will be made inside your mouth although sometimes small external incisions may be necessary, depending on the type of procedure you are having. Visible scarring is usually very minimal.

Most people will remain in the hospital for 1-4 days after their surgery. Recovery will continue at home and complete healing can take up to 12 weeks. For several weeks after the surgery, your jaw may be wired shut and you will be required to eat a soft diet that needs very little chewing. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions for eating and oral hygiene before you leave the hospital - it is very important to follow these instructions exactly throughout your recovery for the best results.

What to Expect After Surgery

After your surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling, stiffness and discomfort in your face and jaw. You may also find that your lips feel numb. These symptoms are usually temporary and will go away after a few week or months. In the meantime, your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage these symptoms.

After about six weeks, the healing of your jaw bones will be well underway and you will likely return to the orthodontist who will finish aligning your teeth with braces. The entire process, including surgery and orthodontics, can take several years to be fully complete.

How much does jaw surgery cost?

Many insurance companies will cover jaw surgery if it is recommended to treat a documented health condition or problem. We recommend that you check with your insurance provider to see if your procedure is covered before scheduling your jaw surgery.