Your dentist or orthodontist may have recommended the need for orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery). These surgeries may be required when one or both jaws do not grow at the same rate and the teeth or bite do not fit together. These discrepancies can lead to problems with chewing, speech disturbances, mouth breathing and/or facial appearance concerns.
If this is the case, you will meet with your surgeon early on into your orthodontic treatment to discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of such procedures. Accurate x-rays and models of your teeth will be used by your surgeon to determine if upper or lower jaw surgery (or sometimes both) may be necessary to achieve the best chewing function and facial balance.
If you are a candidate for jaw surgery, your orthodontist will straighten your teeth with braces first. Jaw surgery will be performed afterwards by your surgeon to move the jaws into the optimum position, which will result in a more pleasant and functional bite.
Jaw surgery is routinely performed in the hospital under a general anesthetic. The surgeries are performed from the inside of the mouth and rigid fixation (plates and screws) are used to hold the jaws in the correct position. Your jaws are not wired together which makes your recovery much easier and faster. Most patients stay in the hospital for one or two days after the surgery.