Orthognathic Surgery
When braces alone cannot correct jaw position, orthognathic surgery can restore bite function, airway support, and facial harmony.
Jaw Corrective Surgery / Obstructive Sleep Apnea / TMJ
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is corrective jaw surgery used when the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both are not in proper skeletal alignment. Unlike tooth movement with braces alone, this procedure repositions the jaw bones themselves.
Common goals include improving bite function, chewing efficiency, speech mechanics, and facial balance. In selected patients, jaw advancement can also be part of airway-focused treatment.
Treatment is coordinated with orthodontics and planned in detail before surgery so your final bite and jaw relationship are stable and functional.
You may be a candidate if you have:
- A skeletal overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite not correctable with orthodontics alone
- Chronic bite-related chewing difficulty or jaw strain
- Facial asymmetry related to jaw position
- Significant jaw discrepancy affecting airway-focused treatment planning
- A completed growth pattern (or a carefully staged adolescent treatment plan)
What Makes This Different From Routine Dental Treatment
Orthognathic surgery addresses the jaw foundation, not just tooth alignment. That is why treatment planning includes both skeletal and dental goals.
A virtual planning workflow is used to map bone movement and occlusion before surgery. This improves predictability and helps align the surgical plan with orthodontic finishing goals.
Surgical Approach
Most procedures are performed with intraoral incisions to avoid visible facial scars. Depending on your anatomy, surgery may involve the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both.
Jaw segments are repositioned and stabilized with fixation hardware designed for maxillofacial surgery. Procedures are performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Because final occlusion matters, ongoing surgeon-orthodontist coordination is built into every phase of treatment.
Your Treatment Journey
A coordinated process from diagnosis through orthodontic finishing.
Consultation and Records
We evaluate bite function, facial balance, airway considerations, and symptoms. Imaging and dental records are obtained for planning.
Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment aligns teeth to prepare for accurate skeletal correction at surgery.
Virtual Surgical Planning
We finalize jaw movements and operative sequencing with digital planning before the procedure date.
Hospital Surgery
Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients stay overnight based on complexity and recovery needs.
Recovery and Orthodontic Finishing
Early recovery focuses on healing, diet progression, and mobility guidance. Orthodontic finishing follows to refine the final bite.
Why MONT Surgery
Dr. Jay D. Kim
Dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon with hospital-based training in complex jaw procedures and interdisciplinary treatment planning.
Interdisciplinary Planning
We coordinate closely with orthodontists so surgical movement and orthodontic finishing are aligned from the start.
Precision Workflow
Digital planning and structured follow-up are used to improve predictability, healing oversight, and long-term bite stability.
Benefits
- Corrects skeletal bite discrepancies braces cannot fix alone
- Improves chewing efficiency and occlusal function
- Can improve facial symmetry and profile balance
- Integrated planning with orthodontic treatment
- Hospital-based care for complex surgical cases
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is primarily a functional procedure for skeletal bite correction, although facial balance often improves as a secondary benefit.
Schedule Your Consultation
Speak with our surgeons to learn if orthognathic surgery is right for you.
Request Appointment