Orthognathic Surgery Bronx, Riverdale, and Kingsbridge, NY
About Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is an option for moderate-to-severe jaw problems that cannot be resolved with orthodontics alone. Jaw surgery realigns the jaws and teeth so they work properly and corrects cosmetic concerns.
Depending on the patient’s needs, surgery is performed on the upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy), lower jaw (mandibular osteotomy), or both. Surgery is completed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no scars on the chin, jaw or around the mouth.
Orthognathic surgery, a combination of jaw surgery and orthodontics, helps patients by:
- Making biting and chewing possible or easier. Correcting jaws that don’t align properly is the most common reason for this surgery.
- Correcting facial imbalance, thus improving the appearance of patients who have deficient chins, protruding underbites and overbites, or cleft palate
- Improving “gummy” smiles, where lips pull upward, showing large areas of the gums, and “toothless” smiles, where the lips cover all the teeth
- Reducing the risk of temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) and other jaw diseases.
- Repairing facial injuries from trauma
- Improving sleep. When other treatments haven’t helped, jaw surgery can provide relief for patients with sleep apnea
Orthognathic Surgery FAQs
Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, is a procedure performed when orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct a significant jaw imbalance or severe bite problem. The surgery repositions one or both jaws so that the teeth fit together properly, improves chewing and speaking, and often enhances facial balance. It is usually combined with braces or aligners to address both teeth alignment and jaw position.
Good candidates are patients with severe underbites, overbites, crossbites, open bites, or facial asymmetry that cannot be corrected by braces or aligners alone. Orthognathic surgery may also be needed when jaw growth is uneven or when a bite problem causes functional issues such as difficulty chewing, speech problems, or airway obstruction. Most patients are older teens who have finished growing or adults whose jaws are fully developed.
Treatment usually begins with orthodontic care, such as braces or aligners, to align the teeth in each jaw. Once the teeth are in the proper position, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions the jaw or jaws during surgery under anesthesia. After a healing period, orthodontic treatment continues to fine-tune the bite. Retainers are then used to keep the result stable long term.
The main benefits include improved bite function, easier chewing, clearer speech, and better facial balance. In some cases jaw surgery also helps relieve jaw strain or improves breathing and sleep. Risks are the same as with most major surgeries and may include swelling, discomfort, temporary numbness, infection, or relapse if the jaw shifts slightly during healing. Careful planning with both orthodontist and oral surgeon helps minimize these risks.
The cost of orthognathic surgery varies depending on whether one or both jaws are operated on, the complexity of the case, hospital or surgical facility fees, anesthesia, and the orthodontic treatment needed before and after surgery. In New York City, corrective jaw surgery can cost many thousands of dollars. Medical insurance often covers part of the surgical portion if it is considered medically necessary, while orthodontic fees may or may not be included. At your consultation we will provide a detailed estimate, check your insurance benefits, and review financing options.
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