Jaw discrepancies arise when the upper and lower jaws do not grow in proportion to one another. These differences may become apparent in childhood or later, and they influence more than how the face looks — they alter how the teeth meet, how the jaw joints operate, and how the airway functions. Common signs include a persistent open bite, an underbite or overbite, asymmetry of the lower face, chronic jaw pain, or difficulty chewing and speaking. Identifying these patterns early helps guide whether observation, orthodontics, or surgery will give the best long-term result.
Many jaw problems stem from subtle differences in skeletal development rather than tooth position alone. When teeth are moved without correcting the underlying bone relationship, bite problems can return or persist. Likewise, some growth patterns affect breathing and swallowing; for example, a retruded lower jaw can contribute to a reduced airway space. Because the jaw supports both function and facial form, corrective jaw surgery aims to restore a balanced skeletal framework while preserving or improving dental function.
Diagnosis begins with a careful clinical evaluation, dental models, and imaging that may include panoramic X-rays and three-dimensional scans. These tools let the surgical team visualize how the bones and teeth relate to one another and to the rest of the facial skeleton. With a clear diagnosis, the care team can set realistic goals that address chewing, speaking, breathing, facial symmetry, and long-term joint health.
Orthodontics—braces or aligners—are powerful tools for moving teeth into healthier positions, but they act on the dental arches, not the underlying bone. In cases where the jaw relationship itself is outside the normal range, orthodontic treatment alone can only compensate so much. For example, a patient with a significantly recessed lower jaw may still have a poor bite or functional limitations after orthodontics if the skeletal discrepancy remains uncorrected.
Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, bridges that gap by repositioning the jaw bones to a more optimal relationship. Surgery is planned to complement the orthodontic movements, so teeth meet properly once the jaws are aligned. This coordinated approach reduces long-term relapse risk and can produce more predictable results for chewing efficiency, speech clarity, and facial balance than orthodontics alone.
Importantly, surgery is not always the first or only option. The decision to proceed depends on the type and severity of the skeletal problem, the patient’s age and overall health, and the goals discussed by the patient, orthodontist, and surgeon. Together, those professionals establish a sequence—usually pre-surgical orthodontics, the surgical procedure itself, then post-surgical orthodontic refinement—to achieve a stable and functional outcome.
Successful corrective jaw surgery is the result of careful collaboration. The orthodontist prepares the teeth so they will fit together after the bones are repositioned, while the oral and maxillofacial surgeon develops the surgical plan and performs the operation. Other specialists — such as an ear, nose, and throat physician or a sleep medicine specialist — may be consulted when airway, breathing, or related medical issues are involved. This multidisciplinary plan centers on the patient’s functional needs and aesthetic goals.
Modern planning techniques include digital models, three-dimensional imaging, and, when appropriate, virtual surgical simulation. These technologies allow the team to test different movements, predict changes to the facial profile, and create precise guides for the operating room. The result is a surgical blueprint that minimizes surprises and supports clear communication among providers and with the patient.
At Northern Star Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery LLC, our surgeons coordinate closely with referring orthodontists and other specialists to ensure each case is staged and executed thoughtfully. Preoperative visits focus on expectations, health optimization, and anesthesia planning so patients know exactly what to expect on the day of surgery and through recovery.
Corrective jaw procedures are performed under controlled conditions with anesthesia appropriate to the patient’s needs. Incisions are usually made inside the mouth to avoid external scarring, and the bone segments are repositioned to achieve the planned occlusion and facial balance. Fixation using small plates and screws stabilizes the bones while healing occurs. The exact technique depends on whether the upper jaw, lower jaw, chin, or a combination requires repositioning.
Surgery is individualized: some patients need subtle adjustments to restore balance, while others require more extensive movement to correct functional impairment. Throughout the procedure the team monitors airway status, blood loss, and nerve function to protect vital structures. Advanced surgical planning and precise intraoperative techniques reduce operating time and support faster recovery.
After the bones are stabilized, patients are moved to a recovery area where nursing staff monitor vital signs and comfort. Immediate postoperative instructions focus on pain control, swelling management, and diet restrictions. Because the initial healing phase is critical, the surgical team provides clear guidance about activity limitations, wound care, and when to resume regular oral hygiene routines.
Recovery after corrective jaw surgery follows a predictable timeline: the first week centers on pain control and swelling, the next several weeks focus on gradual return to activity and diet progression, and by three to six months most patients see bone healing and improved function. Ongoing orthodontic adjustments are often part of the postoperative plan to fine-tune the bite. Regular follow-up visits let the team monitor healing and address any concerns early.
Long-term outcomes include improved chewing efficiency, clearer speech, better facial symmetry, and, in many cases, reduced jaw joint symptoms. When airway issues are addressed as part of the plan, patients may notice improved breathing during sleep and wakefulness. Success depends on careful case selection, patient adherence to postoperative instructions, and maintenance of dental health over time.
Because every patient’s anatomy and goals are unique, the practice emphasizes personalized follow-up and education. Physical recovery is just one part of the process; the team also supports patients emotionally and practically as they adapt to changes in appearance and function. With attentive postoperative care, most patients experience meaningful improvements in quality of life that endure.
In summary, corrective jaw surgery is a precise, team-based solution for skeletal jaw discrepancies that affect bite, facial harmony, breathing, and joint health. If you are experiencing functional limitations or facial asymmetry that orthodontics alone has not resolved, contact Northern Star Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery LLC to learn more about evaluation and treatment options. Our team can explain the process, answer your questions, and help determine whether surgery is the right next step for your long-term oral health and comfort.
Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, is a set of procedures that reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw, or chin to restore a balanced skeletal framework and proper dental function. The goal is to correct discrepancies that affect biting, chewing, speech, facial symmetry, and sometimes the airway. Because the procedure changes the position of the bones that support the teeth and soft tissues, it often improves both function and facial form.
These surgeries are individualized to each patient’s anatomy and goals; some cases require subtle adjustments while others need more extensive repositioning. Surgeons typically make incisions inside the mouth to avoid visible scars and use small plates and screws to stabilize bone segments while healing occurs. The long-term objective is a stable bite, improved joint health, and facial balance that supports daily function.
Good candidates are people whose bite problems stem primarily from the bones of the jaw rather than the teeth alone, and who have functional or aesthetic concerns that orthodontics cannot fully correct. Common indicators include significant overbite or underbite, open bite, facial asymmetry, chronic jaw pain related to joint dysfunction, and breathing problems associated with a retruded jaw. Age, overall health, and realistic expectations are also considered when determining candidacy.
The decision to move forward is made collaboratively with the patient’s orthodontist and surgeon, and sometimes other specialists such as an ENT or sleep medicine physician for airway-related issues. Often patients undergo a period of pre-surgical orthodontics to align the teeth so they will meet correctly after the bones are repositioned. This coordinated approach improves predictability and reduces the chance of relapse.
Diagnosis begins with a detailed clinical exam, review of dental models, and imaging studies that may include panoramic X-rays and three-dimensional CT or cone-beam scans. These tools help the team visualize how the teeth and jaws relate to the rest of the facial skeleton and identify any joint or airway concerns. Photographs and digital models are commonly used to document the starting point and to guide surgical planning.
Modern planning often involves virtual surgical simulation, which allows the surgeon and orthodontist to test proposed bone movements and predict changes in facial profile and occlusion. Surgical guides or custom splints produced from the digital plan can be used in the operating room to increase precision. This planning phase establishes realistic goals for chewing, speech, aesthetics, and long-term joint health.
Orthodontic treatment moves teeth within the supporting bone, but it does not change the underlying skeletal relationships between the upper and lower jaws. When the jaw bones are significantly misaligned, moving teeth alone may only mask the problem or create an unstable bite that tends to relapse. In these cases, orthodontics prepares the dental arches so they will fit together once the jaws are repositioned by surgery.
Surgery and orthodontics work together: pre-surgical orthodontics aligns the teeth, surgery repositions the jaw bones to the planned relationship, and post-surgical orthodontics refines the bite for optimal function. This staged approach provides a more predictable, stable result for chewing efficiency, speech clarity, and facial balance than orthodontics alone in skeletal discrepancies.
Corrective jaw procedures are performed in a controlled surgical setting under an anesthesia plan tailored to the patient. Incisions are typically placed inside the mouth to avoid external scars, and the surgeon repositions the jaw segments according to the preoperative plan. Fixation with small plates and screws stabilizes the bones so they can heal in the new position.
The exact techniques vary depending on whether the upper jaw, lower jaw, chin, or a combination are being treated, and the team monitors airway status, bleeding, and nerve function throughout the operation. After surgery patients are observed in a recovery area with guidance on pain control, swelling management, and diet progression before discharge with written postoperative instructions.
Anesthesia for corrective jaw surgery ranges from deep intravenous sedation to general anesthesia, chosen based on the patient’s medical history, the extent of the procedure, and provider recommendations. Board-certified anesthesiologists or qualified sedation teams monitor the patient continuously, tracking vital signs, airway function, and other safety parameters. Preoperative screening includes a medical history review and any necessary tests to reduce perioperative risks.
In the operating room, standard safety protocols are followed, such as sterile technique, airway protection, and measures to control bleeding and maintain normothermia. The surgical team discusses anesthesia options and expected intraoperative monitoring during the preoperative visit so patients understand how their comfort and safety will be managed.
Recovery follows a predictable timeline in which the first week emphasizes pain control, swelling reduction, and a soft or liquid diet. Patients are given specific instructions about oral hygiene, activity limitations, and wound care, and they typically return for several follow-up visits so the team can monitor healing and adjust treatment. Many people can return to light activities within one to two weeks, while strenuous exercise is usually delayed until cleared by the surgeon.
Orthodontic adjustments commonly continue after surgery to fine-tune the bite, and bone healing progresses over several months so the final functional improvements are gradual. Ongoing follow-up allows the surgeon to identify and address any concerns early and supports the long-term stability of the result through coordinated care with the orthodontist and other providers.
As with any surgery, corrective jaw procedures carry risks such as infection, temporary or permanent changes in sensation due to nerve stretch, bleeding, and the possibility of relapse or need for further refinement. Surgeons take precautions to minimize these risks through careful planning, sterile technique, and appropriate fixation methods. Patients are informed about potential complications and signs to watch for so that early intervention is possible if problems arise.
If complications occur, management may include antibiotics for infection, medication and time for nerve recovery, or additional procedures in rare cases to correct instability or bite issues. Regular postoperative visits help detect and treat complications promptly, and the multidisciplinary team coordinates care to support a safe and effective recovery.
Yes. In patients whose airway is compromised by skeletal anatomy—such as a retruded lower jaw—advancing the jaw can enlarge the airway space and reduce obstruction during sleep. For some individuals with obstructive sleep apnea related to craniofacial structure, jaw advancement procedures are an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan and may be performed in coordination with sleep medicine specialists.
Outcomes vary based on the severity and cause of airway obstruction, so careful evaluation including sleep studies and collaboration with ENT or sleep medicine providers is important. When airway improvement is a treatment goal, the surgical plan is designed to balance functional breathing benefits with dental occlusion and facial aesthetics for a durable result.
Prepare for your consultation by bringing recent dental records, a summary of medical history, and any imaging you already have, such as X-rays or scans. Ask about the surgeon’s training, experience with orthognathic procedures, and how they coordinate care with orthodontists and other specialists; an experienced team will review diagnostic images, explain treatment sequencing, and discuss expected outcomes and recovery.
At Northern Star Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery LLC we emphasize clear communication, individualized planning, and collaboration with referring providers to ensure each patient understands the process and goals. Choosing a surgeon who combines technical skill with thorough planning and multidisciplinary coordination helps maximize functional improvement and patient satisfaction over the long term.
