Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, realigns or reshapes the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is a specialized surgical discipline focused on correcting congenital or acquired skeletal and dental irregularities of the jaw and face. It involves precise repositioning of the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both, to restore functional occlusion, improve mastication, speech, and airway function, and enhance facial symmetry and aesthetic harmony. Interdisciplinary collaboration between oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and sometimes speech or physical therapists ensures comprehensive planning and execution. The process begins with thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation, 3D imaging, and virtual surgical planning to predict postoperative outcomes accurately. Preoperative orthodontic treatment aligns teeth and prepares the bite, after which the surgical team uses specialized instruments and fixation devices such as titanium plates and screws to reposition the bone segments. Following surgery, patients undergo a period of rigid immobilization, pain management, dietary modifications, and closely monitored healing, with orthodontic finishing to refine occlusion. Although potential risks include infection, neurosensory deficits, and temporomandibular joint discomfort, the benefits often outweigh these concerns for patients suffering from malocclusion, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic jaw pain, or facial asymmetry, resulting in significant functional improvement and lasting aesthetic transformation, and improved psychological well-being, increased measurable confidence.
What conditions does jaw surgery treat?
Jaw surgery addresses a broad spectrum of functional and aesthetic conditions arising from skeletal discrepancies and dental misalignments of the jaws.
Commonly, orthognathic procedures correct malocclusions such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites that impair chewing efficiency, speech articulation, and dental health.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea caused by retruded jaws may experience airway enlargement and improved breathing postoperatively.
Chronic temporomandibular joint disorders and facial pain from joint dysfunction or muscular imbalance can also be alleviated through jaw repositioning.
Facial asymmetries—whether congenital, developmental, or trauma-induced—benefit from osteotomies that restore symmetry, balance, and proportionality.
Congenital anomalies such as cleft palate, hemifacial microsomia, and other craniofacial syndromes frequently require combined orthodontic and surgical interventions for functional occlusion and reconstruction.
Post-traumatic deformities of the jaw and midface, including malunited fractures, can be realigned to correct bite abnormalities and facial contour.
Additionally, patients with gaping issues or gummy smiles may undergo maxillary impaction or chin surgeries (genioplasty) alongside jaw corrections for harmonious facial proportions.
Beyond these physical conditions, orthognathic surgery often yields profound psychosocial benefits, boosting self-esteem, social confidence, and quality of life.
5 Types of Jaw Surgery
The realm of jaw surgery encompasses five principal procedures that cater to a wide spectrum of skeletal, dental, and joint-related challenges.
Maxillary osteotomy, commonly known as upper jaw surgery, involves strategic osteotomies of the maxilla to reposition the upper dental arch vertically, horizontally, or rotationally, thereby correcting open bites, crossbites, gummy smiles, midface deficiencies, and airway constriction in obstructive sleep apnea.
Mandibular osteotomy, or lower jaw surgery, entails precise segmentation of the mandible to advance or setback the lower jaw, restoring balanced bite relationships, correcting prognathism, retrognathism, and asymmetries, and alleviating temporomandibular joint stress.
Genioplasty focuses specifically on the chin, utilizing horizontal sliding or augmentation techniques—such as osteotomy-based advancement or chin implant insertion—to refine facial proportions, enhance chin projection, and harmonize the lower third of the face, often in conjunction with orthognathic procedures.
Arthroplasty addresses internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint by surgically remodeling or reconstructing the joint components; this may include removal of adhesions, reshaping the condyle or articular eminence, and repositioning or repairing the articular disc to relieve pain, restore functional range of motion, and prevent ankylosis.
Arthrocentesis offers a minimally invasive alternative for acute TMJ disorders by washing out inflammatory mediators and fibrous adhesions through needle-based lavage of the joint space, thus reducing pain, improving jaw mobility, and delaying or obviating the need for more extensive surgical intervention.
Together, these five types of jaw surgery underscore the multidisciplinary collaboration between oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and physical therapists, blending cutting-edge imaging, virtual planning, and surgical precision to achieve enduring functional improvements, aesthetic refinement, and enhanced quality of life for patients with complex craniofacial issues.
Conclusion
Jaw surgery is a precise, collaborative approach to correcting jaw misalignments, joint disorders, and facial asymmetries. It restores essential functions—improving chewing, speech, and breathing—while enhancing facial balance. Coordinated care among surgeons, orthodontists, and therapists ensures personalized planning and smooth recovery. As techniques continue to evolve, jaw surgery remains a transformative solution that harmonizes form and function for lasting patient satisfaction.
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