Orthognathic Surgery

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Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is a major surgical procedure performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) to correct a wide range of skeletal and dental irregularities relating to the jaw bones.

Orthognathic Surgery Overview - 756

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The Skinny


Average Recovery

0 days

Permanence

Permanent

Application

Surgical Procedure

Surgical

Yes

Cost

$20000 - $40000

The Specifics


What is an orthognathic surgery?

Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is performed as a functional surgery to correct jaw bone and dental concerns, although it will also have a large impact on a patient's facial appearance. Orthognathic surgery is performed by a specialized oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS).

The Anatomy of the Oral Cavity

Mouth Oral Cavity Anatomy Illustration

This procedure addresses both the upper jaw and lower jaw bones. Orthognathic surgery can correct bite alignment, oral health, TMJ disorders, breathing problems like obstructive sleep apnea, birth defects, and other functional concerns.

What cosmetic concerns does an orthognathic surgery procedure treat?

  1. Misaligned Teeth & Bite: Alterations to the jaw bones allow surgeons to correct alignment.
  2. Neck & Jawline Definition: Alterations to the jaw bones lead to functional improvements to the oral cavity and jaw.
  3. Respiratory Issues: Changes to the oral cavity can help to open air passages and ease breathing concerns.

Who is the ideal candidate for an orthognathic surgery procedure?

The ideal candidate for an orthognathic surgery has overbite, underbite, open bite, difficulty chewing or swallowing, chronic jaw pain, TMJ pain, headache, excessive wear of the upper teeth or lower teeth, sleep apnea or other breathing concerns, or unbalanced facial symmetry. Orthognathic Surgery is not recommended for those who can utilize less invasive methods like braces or headgear.

What is the average recovery associated with an orthognathic surgery procedure?

The acute recovery phase following an orthognathic surgery procedure is up to six weeks of swelling, discomfort, bruising, and numbness. A liquid and soft diet will be needed for the first four to six weeks. Most patients return to work after a few weeks, and resume most all normal activities after six to 12 weeks.

What are the potential side effects of an orthognathic surgery procedure?

The possible side effects following an orthognathic surgery include numbness, bleeding, tooth damage, infection at the incision site, TMJ disorders, poor cosmetic outcomes, and relapse of the initial disorder.

What can someone expect from the results of an orthognathic surgery procedure?

The results of an orthognathic surgery procedure are permanent enhancements to bite and oral cavity. The final results will evolve over about months to years as the body heals.

What is the average cost of an orthognathic surgery procedure?


An Orthognathic Surgery procedure can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. The actual cost of an orthognathic surgeryis dependent upon location, board certified facial plastic surgeon, and length and involvement of the plastic surgery.

thumbs-upPros

  • Healthy Jaw
  • Balanced Jaw
  • Functional Jaw
  • Ability To Chew
  • Ability To Breath
  • Treat Chronic Jaw Pain
  • Treat Chronic Joint Pain
  • Treat TMJ Pain
  • Treat Headaches
  • Correct Facial Injuries
  • Correct Birth Defects
  • Treat Sleep Apnea
  • Correct Bite

thumbs-downCons

  • Braces
  • Lifestyle Changes
  • Modified Diet
  • No Tobacco
  • Discomfort

Invasiveness Score

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10

Invasiveness is graded based on factors such as anesthesia practices, incisions, and recovery notes common to this procedure.

What to Expect


Corrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery can correct a wide range of skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth, open bite, underbite, and overbite. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after jaw surgery.

The Takeaway


Orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to correct the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint), improper bites, dentofacial deformities or birth defects, and functional problems of the oral cavity.

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Source List

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AEDIT uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Medline Plus Malocclusion of Teeth MedlinePlus.gov
  2. Francesco Cairo Periodontal plastic surgery of gingival recessions at single and multiple teeth PubMed.gov; 2017-10-02
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