Short answer: Orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery performed in people who have finished growing when a skeletal discrepancy in the position of the lower or upper jaw is too pronounced to be corrected by moving the teeth alone. It is usually planned jointly by the orthodontist and the jaw surgeon, together with orthodontic treatment both prior to and following the operation.
When is it considered?
- A pronounced protruding or retruded lower jaw
- A pronounced retruded upper jaw
- Skeletal open bite
- Marked facial asymmetry
- Functional difficulty with chewing, biting or closing the lips
For general information on these conditions, see our page on orthodontic treatment of skeletal jaw problems.
Why wait until growth is complete?
A correction made while the jaws are still growing may be undone by later growth. For this reason, the timing of surgery is set by assessments such as hand-wrist or cephalometric X-rays that show growth is complete. In growing children, orthodontic options that guide jaw development are considered first.
How does the process usually work?
- Assessment: Examination by the orthodontist and jaw surgeon, X-rays and digital records
- Pre-surgical orthodontics: Bringing the teeth into the correct position relative to the jaws; at this stage the bite may temporarily look more pronounced
- Surgery: Under general anaesthesia, mostly performed from inside the mouth
- Recovery: A soft diet and regular check-ups in the first weeks
- Post-surgical orthodontics: Final adjustments to the bite, followed by retention
Can surgical orthodontics be done with clear aligners?
In some cases, the pre-surgical and post-surgical orthodontic phases can also be planned with clear aligners. This decision depends on the surgeon's preferences and the type of tooth movements needed.
Quick questions
Is orthognathic surgery a cosmetic operation?
Its main aim is to achieve functional harmony of the jaws and the bite; the facial profile is also affected by this correction.
Will there be a scar?
Because most orthognathic operations are performed from inside the mouth, no external incision on the face is needed; the surgeon will explain the details.
Can surgery be done alone, without orthodontics?
In most cases, pre-surgical and post-surgical orthodontics are needed for the teeth to fit together.
How do you find out what suits you?
The information here is general; the right plan for you is determined by an intraoral examination, X-rays and a clinician's assessment. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, Ankara, we go through these topics together with your questions during the first orthodontic consultation. For a general list of orthodontic problems, you can also see our page on orthodontic problems and treatment options.
