Corrective jaw surgery
Surgical repositioning of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both jaws to correct underlying skeletal discrepancies and improve bite alignment.
Advanced Jaw & Facial Care
Orthognathic Surgery in Hyderabad
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is performed to correct abnormalities of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both jaws. It helps improve chewing, speech, breathing, facial appearance, and overall oral function. When orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct severe jaw discrepancies, orthognathic surgery provides a comprehensive and long-lasting solution.
What is orthognathic surgery?
Understanding Jaw Correction Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is a specialized procedure that repositions the jaws to achieve proper alignment between the upper and lower jaws. Jaw discrepancies may result from genetics, developmental conditions, trauma, or growth abnormalities. The procedure helps improve bite function, facial balance, speech, and airway health.
Functional improvement
Enhances chewing, speaking, swallowing, and breathing by aligning the jaws and teeth into a more balanced and efficient position.
Facial balance & teamwork
Improves facial proportions and overall appearance, often through multidisciplinary care between oral surgeons and orthodontists.
Conditions treated
Common Conditions Requiring Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery may be recommended for individuals with severe jaw misalignment and skeletal discrepancies that cannot be corrected with braces or aligners alone.
1
Underbite
Lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw, leading to reverse bite, functional issues, and an imbalanced facial profile.
2
Overbite
Upper jaw or teeth excessively overlap the lower jaw, affecting function, aesthetics, and long-term tooth wear.
3
Open bite
Front teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed, causing chewing difficulty, speech issues, and bite instability.
4
Facial asymmetry
Uneven jaw growth causes noticeable imbalance of facial features and misalignment of the bite.
5
Receding chin & airway issues
Underdeveloped lower jaw or jaw position can affect appearance, function, and contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.
Symptoms & problems
Signs You May Need Jaw Correction Surgery
Severe jaw discrepancies can affect how you chew, speak, breathe, and how your face looks in profile and from the front.
Difficulty chewing
Problems biting and chewing food efficiently, often needing to shift the jaw or avoid certain foods.
Speech & jaw pain
Speech clarity issues, chronic jaw discomfort, muscle fatigue, or TMJ-related symptoms.
Breathing problems
Airway narrowing leading to snoring or sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Facial imbalance & tooth wear
Noticeable facial asymmetry or disproportion, along with excessive tooth wear from an improper bite.
Diagnosis
How Jaw Discrepancies Are Diagnosed
A thorough evaluation helps determine whether orthognathic surgery is necessary and which combination of orthodontic and surgical steps will work best.
Clinical & orthodontic evaluation
- Clinical assessment of facial proportions and jaw function.
- Detailed bite analysis and occlusion assessment.
- Orthodontic evaluation of dental alignment and spacing.
Digital imaging & planning
- Panoramic X-rays and cephalometric analysis.
- CBCT scans for 3D bone and airway evaluation.
- 3D virtual surgical planning for precise outcomes.
Treatment planning
Preparing for Orthognathic Surgery
Most patients require orthodontic treatment before and after surgery to align the teeth and create a stable, functional bite.
Pre-surgical orthodontics
Braces or aligners are used to prepare the teeth for jaw repositioning and to decompensate dental alignment.
Surgical planning
Detailed measurements, models, and virtual simulations guide the exact movements required for each jaw.
Customized treatment
Every plan is tailored to the patient’s facial structure, functional needs, and aesthetic goals.
Multidisciplinary approach
Close coordination between orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon ensures a seamless treatment pathway.
Surgical procedures
Types of Orthognathic Surgery
The type of surgery performed depends on the jaw discrepancy, facial proportions, and functional concerns identified during planning.
1
Maxillary surgery
Le Fort I osteotomy repositions the upper jaw to correct open bite, excessive gum show, or midface deficiency.
2
Mandibular surgery
Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy moves the lower jaw forward or backward for proper bite and chin position.
3
Bimaxillary surgery
Combined correction of both upper and lower jaws when discrepancies involve the entire facial skeleton.
4
Genioplasty
Chin surgery performed alongside jaw correction to enhance facial harmony and profile aesthetics.
5
Facial asymmetry correction
Targeted adjustments to address uneven jaw development and restore facial symmetry.
Benefits
How Jaw Surgery Improves Quality of Life
Better function
Improves chewing efficiency and bite stability, making it easier to enjoy a wider range of foods.
Speech & breathing
Correct jaw positioning can enhance speech clarity and may improve airway function and sleep quality.
Enhanced appearance
Creates a more balanced and harmonious facial profile, often boosting self-confidence.
Long-term stability
Provides lasting correction of jaw discrepancies when combined with proper orthodontic treatment.
Recovery & rehabilitation
What to Expect After Surgery
Recovery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, but most patients gradually return to normal function over several weeks and months.
Hospital stay & healing
- Typically requires a short hospital stay after surgery.
- Swelling peaks in the first few days and improves over several weeks.
- Pain and discomfort are managed with prescribed medications.
Diet & follow-up care
- Soft or modified diet is recommended while the jaws heal.
- Regular follow-up visits monitor healing and jaw stability.
- Post-surgical orthodontics helps refine the bite and final tooth positions.
Risks & safety
Understanding Surgical Risks
Orthognathic surgery is generally safe when planned carefully and performed by experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons in a controlled hospital setting.
Temporary numbness
Mild numbness of the lips, chin, or cheeks can occur during healing and often improves over time.
Swelling & discomfort
Post-operative swelling, tightness, and discomfort are expected but usually well managed with medications and supportive care.
Monitoring & infection prevention
Careful surgical technique, antibiotics when indicated, and regular reviews help reduce complications and support long-term stability.
Prevention & early care
Can Jaw Problems Be Prevented?
Some jaw discrepancies are genetic and cannot be completely prevented, but early diagnosis and monitoring may reduce treatment complexity later in life.
Early orthodontic assessment
Evaluation in growing children helps identify jaw growth issues and bite problems at an early stage.
Monitoring facial growth
Regular reviews allow specialists to track jaw development and detect abnormalities sooner.
Timely intervention
Early treatment can sometimes reduce the severity of future jaw discrepancies and improve outcomes.
When to see a specialist
When Should You Seek Evaluation?
Consult an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon if you have significant jaw misalignment, difficulty chewing, facial asymmetry, speech problems, sleep apnea, or bite issues that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone.
Concerning signs
Difficulty chewing or biting food, severe overbite, underbite, open bite, facial asymmetry, or chronic jaw pain and TMJ symptoms.
Breathing & sleep
Breathing difficulties during sleep, suspected obstructive sleep apnea, or airway-related concerns linked to jaw position.
Bite & growth issues
Persistent bite problems or jaw growth abnormalities noticed during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Facial balance
Concerns about facial balance, profile aesthetics, and long-term oral health. Early evaluation supports more predictable outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Common Questions About Orthognathic Surgery
Is orthognathic surgery painful?
Discomfort is generally manageable with prescribed medications during recovery, and most patients adapt well over the first few weeks.
Will I need braces before surgery?
Most patients require orthodontic treatment both before and after surgery to achieve a stable and well-aligned bite.
How long does recovery take?
Initial recovery usually takes a few weeks, while complete bone healing and orthodontic finishing may take several months.
Will my facial appearance change?
Yes, jaw correction often improves facial balance and profile aesthetics while also enhancing function.
Is orthognathic surgery permanent?
The results are generally stable and long-lasting when treatment is carefully planned and orthodontic follow-up is completed.