Jaw Surgery
IS ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY A MAJOR SURGERY
Huntersville (Charlotte Metro), NC
An honest look at what jaw surgery involves, how long recovery takes, and why the results are worth it.
An honest look at what jaw surgery involves, how long recovery takes, and why the results are worth it.
Yes. Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, is classified as major surgery. It is performed under general anesthesia, typically involves a short hospital stay, and repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct a bite that does not align properly. The recovery process unfolds over several months and is bookended by a year or more of orthodontic treatment on either side of the operation.
That said, "major" does not mean unpredictable or unusually risky. Orthognathic surgery is one of the most extensively studied procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery, with well-established protocols for planning, execution, and recovery. Patients who understand the full timeline going in tend to have the smoothest experience, which is the goal of this page.
The upper and lower jaws are meant to meet comfortably so you can bite, chew, and speak efficiently. When they do not, orthognathic surgery may be recommended to correct:
Treatment begins long before the operating room. Your surgical team takes comprehensive x-rays, 3D scans, and photographs, and your orthodontist prepares your teeth with braces for roughly 12 months. This pre-surgical orthodontic phase intentionally moves teeth into positions that will only fit together correctly once the jaw itself is repositioned, so your bite may temporarily feel worse before surgery corrects it. Once your surgical team confirms your teeth are properly aligned for surgery, the procedure is scheduled.
Orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. Depending on your case, the surgeon repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, securing the bones in their new position with titanium plates and screws that typically remain permanently. Most patients stay in the hospital for one to a few days for monitoring. A plastic splint placed between the teeth during surgery helps guide the jaw and bite into the correct position and is usually worn for several months afterward.
Orthognathic surgery is generally recommended for patients who:
Recovery from orthognathic surgery happens in stages:
Most patients report full recovery, including complete resolution of swelling and adaptation to the new bite, within about a year of surgery.
Because orthognathic surgery corrects a functional problem rather than a cosmetic one, it is frequently covered at least in part by medical insurance, which sets it apart from most facial procedures. Total cost commonly lands between $20,000 and $50,000 when the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, hospital stay, imaging, and the orthodontic work on both ends are added together. Single-jaw procedures sit at the lower end of that range and double-jaw procedures at the higher end.
Insurers typically require documentation that the bite discrepancy causes functional impairment, difficulty chewing, speech problems, chronic joint pain, or breathing issues, rather than dissatisfaction with facial appearance. Pre-authorization is almost always mandatory. Our team assembles the imaging, cephalometric measurements, and clinical notes that carriers ask for, but approval is never guaranteed and the orthodontic phase is often billed separately under dental rather than medical benefits.
A skeletal bite discrepancy does not correct itself and generally does not stay static either. Patients who defer treatment often report a slow accumulation of secondary problems:
None of these make surgery impossible later, but they can add restorative dental work to a treatment plan that would otherwise have been surgery and orthodontics alone.
As with any major surgery, orthognathic surgery carries risks related to anesthesia, infection, and bleeding. Procedure-specific risks include temporary or, rarely, permanent numbness in the lip or chin from nerve involvement, changes to the jaw joint, relapse of bite alignment over time, and the occasional need for a follow-up procedure if the bones do not heal exactly as planned. Dr. Haigney reviews your individual risk profile in detail during your surgical consultation.
Because jaw position affects the entire airway and facial skeleton, orthognathic surgery is sometimes performed in conjunction with treatment for obstructive sleep apnea or TMJ disorders, and it is closely related to broader oral and maxillofacial surgery planning for patients with complex bite issues.
Patients sometimes ask whether braces alone, clear aligners, or dental work such as crowns and veneers can substitute for jaw surgery. For mild bite issues, braces or aligners alone are often enough, and Dr. Haigney and your orthodontist will always recommend the least invasive option that achieves a stable, functional bite. However, when the discrepancy is skeletal, meaning the jaw bones themselves are misaligned rather than just the teeth, no amount of orthodontic movement or cosmetic dental work can fully correct it, because teeth can only be moved so far within the bone that holds them. Attempting to camouflage a skeletal problem with dental work alone can also create long term issues with tooth wear, gum recession, and jaw joint strain. This is why a thorough evaluation, including 3D imaging, is done before recommending surgery rather than a less invasive option.
Will my face look different afterward? Yes, often noticeably so, since the surgery repositions the underlying bone structure that supports your facial profile. Most patients describe the change as a more balanced, proportional appearance rather than a dramatically different face, and 3D surgical planning lets you preview an approximation of the result beforehand.
How much pain should I expect? Discomfort is typically most intense in the first three to five days and is managed with prescribed medication. Most patients describe it as significant pressure and soreness rather than sharp pain, and it improves steadily each day.
Will I be able to talk right after surgery? Speech is often muffled or difficult in the first one to two weeks due to swelling and, in some cases, jaw fixation, but it returns to normal well before the full recovery is complete.
Is the surgery reversible? No. The bones are repositioned and secured permanently with titanium hardware. This is exactly why the extensive pre surgical planning phase exists, to make sure the plan is right before surgery happens.
Can adults get orthognathic surgery, or is it just for teenagers? Adults are excellent candidates at any age, as long as they are in good general health. There is no upper age limit, only the requirement that jaw growth is complete, which rules out only the youngest patients.
If you have been told orthognathic surgery may be right for you, the best next step is a consultation with Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II, FACS, to review your scans and build a personalized timeline. Call Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery in Huntersville at (704) 987-3132 or request an appointment online.
Related Article: Is Orthognathic Surgery Painful?
Words cannot express enough, how wonderful, caring and professional Dr. Haigney and his staff are! After being rushed to the Huntersville hospital with an orbital fracture, broken nose and other facial damage, Dr. Haigney rushed me into surgery (on his day off I must add) and corrected all my problems. I only wish all doctors cared as much about their patients and their recovery as Dr. Haigney and his staff did. Thank you so much for everything! Your attention and compassion has helped me make my recovery as comfortable as possible. 5 star service!
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