What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgeries are procedures you have on your jaw. These surgeries usually realign or straighten your jaw. Your jaw holds your teeth, so orthognathic surgeons work closely with orthodontists, who specialize in aligning teeth.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery experts do orthognathic surgery. These are experts who have medical, dental, and surgical training. At University of Utah Health, our team includes oral and maxillofacial surgeons who specialize in jaw surgery. They care for patients with the most complex and difficult-to-treat conditions.
Conditions Treated with Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery may treat a wide variety of conditions:
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Hemifacial microsomia, a condition causing underdevelopment in one side of the face
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Jaw pain
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Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth
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Nager syndrome, a genetic disease affecting facial development
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Pierre Robin syndrome, a condition that affects the lower jaw and tongue
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Traumatic injuries
Types of Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgeries fall into categories based on which part of the jaw they treat:
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Mandibular surgeries correct your lower jaw.
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Maxillary surgeries correct your upper jaw.
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Bimaxillary surgeries are for both your upper and lower jaws (double jaw surgery).
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Genioplasty treats your chin.
Our surgeons offer several types of specialized jaw procedures:
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Arthroscopy—Your surgeon uses a lighted tube with a small camera (arthroscope) to see inside your jaw and operate. Our team is the only one in the Mountain West region offering jaw arthroscopy.
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Craniofacial surgery—Children with craniofacial syndromes may need jaw surgery. Craniofacial syndromes happen when skull and facial bones don’t form in the usual way. These conditions may be present at birth or they may show up later in life.
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Jaw repositioning—Your surgeon repositions your jaw so the top and bottom parts of your jaw line up. Many people need braces before these surgeries. We work with orthodontists to time your braces and surgery carefully for the best possible results. We may use these surgeries if you have problems such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Or you may get surgery for cosmetic reasons.
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Obstructive sleep apnea surgery—Your surgeon moves both your upper and lower jaws forward to open your airway. This lets people with sleep apnea stop using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. We are the only team in the Mountain West region that offers this complex procedure.
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Total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement—Your surgeon replaces a damaged or malformed temporomandibular joint with artificial parts. Your TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, and you have one on each side of your face. TMJ problems typically cause jaw pain and stiffness. This surgery can make life easier and less painful if you have problems with TMJ. Our team is the only one in the region that provides this complex procedure.
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Trauma surgery and jaw reconstruction—We can rebuild your jaw after a severe injury. Your surgeon uses a section of your hip bone or calf bone (fibula) to make a new section to replace the damaged part of your jaw.
Nonsurgical Services Jaw Surgeons Offer
Many people assume they have to get jaw surgery when they’re referred to a jaw surgeon. But we offer several treatments to help manage jaw pain and migraines without surgery:
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Botox injections—Your surgeon injects Botox into your jaw muscles. The injection helps to relax your muscles, reducing clenching and grinding.
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Custom mouthguards—We work closely with dentists to build a mouthguard personalized for you.
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Hyaluronic acid injections—Hyaluronic acid is a substance that helps lubricate and absorb shock in your joints. We can inject hyaluronic acid into your temporomandibular joint to help decrease friction and pain.
Find an Orthognathic Surgeon
Preparing for Jaw Surgery
Your jaw surgeon gets detailed pictures and descriptions of your jaw during your first visit:
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Clinical assessment—Your surgeon takes measurements and photos of your jaw.
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Intraoral scan—We use a scanner to create a 3D model of your teeth and gums.
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Panoramic X-ray (Panorex®)—This 3D image shows your jaw bones in detail.
Your jaw surgeon and an orthodontist review these tests together. Having both these specialists study your results helps us figure out the best timeframe and approach for your surgery.
Next, you get a detailed CT scan at a second visit. This scan lets us plan your surgery with a computer and create custom plates, screws, and prosthetic devices for you.
Lastly, you have a virtual consult with your jaw surgeon to discuss your testing and your custom surgery. We answer all your questions and explain what to expect. We want to make sure you feel comfortable with your treatment plan.
Jaw Surgery Cost
The cost of jaw surgery varies based on the procedure, your diagnosis, and your insurance. Our dedicated billing team helps you figure out your insurance coverage and can appeal to get coverage, when needed.
What to Expect During Jaw Surgery
What to expect during jaw surgery varies by the type of procedure you need. In general, you get anesthesia to remain asleep and comfortable. Then your jaw surgeon operates.
Most jaw surgeries involve an overnight stay in the hospital. You get intravenous (IV) antibiotics and steroids to manage swelling and reduce your risk of infection. Our team also makes sure you stay comfortable overnight and get meals based on your needs. Staying in the hospital overnight shortens recovery time because the IV antibiotic leads to less swelling than you would have at home.
Does Jaw Surgery Hurt?
You’re asleep during jaw surgery, so you don’t feel anything. However, it’s normal to have some discomfort while you heal. Our team helps you manage any pain.
Orthognathic Surgery Risks
Like all surgeries, orthognathic surgery involves a risk of infection and nerve injury. You limit your risk when you choose highly trained surgeons, like our experts at U of U Health.
Jaw Surgery Recovery
You return home the day after jaw surgery. Your jaw will be swollen, but it won’t be wired shut. Recovery for most people takes about four months:
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1–2 days—You stay overnight in the hospital, and we help manage pain and swelling.
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1–2 weeks—You see your surgeon one week after the operation to remove your stitches and check your healing. Most people feel well enough to return to work after a week or two.
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6 weeks—Although you will feel better earlier, it takes about 6 weeks for your jaw bones to join (fuse).
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4 months—Full healing of your jaw bones takes up to four months.
Jaw Surgery Diet
You usually need to reintroduce solid foods slowly after jaw surgery:
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1–2 weeks—You follow a soft food diet, using a blender to puree foods as needed.
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2–4 weeks—You introduce more soft foods you can swallow without significant chewing, such as eggs, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes.
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4–6 weeks—You slowly start eating more foods that you have to chew, such as cooked vegetables, fruits, and pasta. Avoid tougher meats, nuts, and seeds until six weeks or later.
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
At U of U Health, your care is in the hands of highly trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons with extensive jaw surgery experience. We perform more than 40 jaw surgeries yearly, compared to national averages of less than 10. We do many complex surgeries not offered elsewhere in the Mountain West region, including arthroscopy, total TMJ replacement, and obstructive sleep apnea surgery.
We teach and train resident physicians, which gives you access to more specialists who collaborate on your care. An entire team of orthognathic surgeons works together to find the best, personalized treatment approach for you. We also collaborate closely with orthodontists, pain management specialists, and internal medicine physicians to ensure you get comprehensive care.
Make an Appointment
We require referrals. Please consult with your dentist or physician before you make an appointment with our oral and maxillofacial surgery team. Call 801-213-6575 with questions.
