Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery): A Complete Patient Guide
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sergio Calleja, DDS, MPH — Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon · Last reviewed 2026-06-18
Jaw surgery — known medically as orthognathic surgery — repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both to correct problems that braces alone cannot fix. The word comes from Greek: "ortho" means straight, and "gnathos" means jaw.
If you have been told you have a severe underbite, overbite, open bite, or facial asymmetry, this guide explains in plain language what corrective jaw surgery involves, who it helps, and what the journey from consultation to full recovery actually looks like.
What Is Jaw Surgery, Exactly?
Your teeth can be moved with braces, but the bones that hold them cannot. When the jaw bones themselves are too far forward, too far back, tilted, or asymmetric, the only way to truly correct the bite — and the strain it puts on chewing, speech, breathing, and the jaw joints — is to reposition the bone.
During orthognathic surgery, the surgeon makes precise cuts in the jaw bone (each cut is called an osteotomy), moves the bone segments into their planned position, and secures them with small titanium plates and screws. The most common techniques are the Le Fort I osteotomy for the upper jaw (maxilla) and the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy — BSSO for short — for the lower jaw (mandible). When both jaws are moved in one operation, it is called double jaw surgery, or bimaxillary osteotomy.
Nearly all incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are usually no visible facial scars. Dr. Calleja plans every case with 3D CT imaging and virtual surgical planning (VSP), a computer-guided process that maps the exact bone movements — down to the millimeter — before you ever enter the operating room.
Who Needs Jaw Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery may be recommended when jaw position — not just tooth position — causes problems such as:
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing, or excessive tooth wear
- An underbite, overbite, crossbite, or open bite too severe for braces alone
- Facial asymmetry, a receding chin or lower jaw, or a protruding jaw
- Chronic jaw or TMJ (jaw joint) pain related to bite imbalance
- Obstructive sleep apnea — treated with maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), which moves both jaws forward to open the airway
- Trouble closing the lips comfortably, chronic mouth breathing, or speech problems
- Jaw differences from birth conditions (such as cleft lip and palate) or previous facial trauma
What Patients Gain
- A bite that finally works — chewing and biting without strain
- Relief of jaw strain and bite-related TMJ discomfort
- A more balanced facial profile — often a welcome side effect of functional correction
- Significant improvement of obstructive sleep apnea in MMA cases
- Clearer speech and easier lip closure
- Results planned in 3D before surgery, so you can see the expected change
Terms You'll Hear
Doctors and patients often use different words for the same thing. Here's how they connect:
- "jaw surgery / corrective jaw surgery" = orthognathic surgery
- The everyday and medical names for the same procedure — surgically repositioning the jaw bones to correct bite and facial balance.
- "upper jaw surgery" = Le Fort I osteotomy (maxillary osteotomy)
- A horizontal cut above the tooth roots that lets the surgeon move the upper jaw (maxilla) up, down, forward, or back.
- "lower jaw surgery" = BSSO — bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (mandibular osteotomy)
- The lower jaw is split lengthwise on both sides so the tooth-bearing portion can slide forward or backward.
- "double jaw surgery" = bimaxillary osteotomy
- Both jaws repositioned during one operation — used when the upper and lower jaws are both out of position.
- "chin surgery" = genioplasty
- Repositioning the chin bone to improve facial balance; often done together with jaw surgery.
- "bad bite" = malocclusion
- Teeth and jaws that do not meet correctly — underbite (Class III), overbite/overjet (Class II), crossbite, or open bite.
- "sleep apnea jaw surgery" = maxillomandibular advancement (MMA)
- Double jaw surgery that moves both jaws forward to enlarge the airway and treat obstructive sleep apnea.
- "plates and screws" = rigid internal fixation
- Small titanium plates and screws that hold the repositioned bone stable while it heals — the reason jaws rarely need to be wired shut today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaw surgery the same as orthognathic surgery?
Yes. "Jaw surgery" and "corrective jaw surgery" are the everyday names; "orthognathic surgery" is the medical term. They all describe surgery that repositions the upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy, usually a Le Fort I), the lower jaw (mandibular osteotomy, usually a BSSO), or both (double jaw surgery).
How much does jaw surgery cost, and does insurance cover it?
In the United States, total costs commonly run from about $20,000 to $50,000 including the surgeon, anesthesia, hospital, and aftercare. Jaw surgery is usually billed to medical insurance (not dental) and is typically covered when there is a documented functional problem — a severe bite discrepancy, obstructive sleep apnea, trauma, or a congenital condition. Pre-authorization is standard, and our team helps you navigate it. Purely cosmetic cases are generally not covered.
At what age can you have jaw surgery?
Surgery is done after jaw growth is complete — typically around ages 14 to 16 for females and 17 to 21 for males. There is no strict upper age limit; candidacy in adults depends on overall health and bone quality, which Dr. Calleja evaluates at consultation.
Do I need braces before jaw surgery?
Almost always. Pre-surgical orthodontics — usually 12 to 18 months of braces — positions your teeth so they will fit together correctly once the bone is moved. Braces then continue for roughly 6 to 9 months after surgery for fine-tuning. The full orthodontics-plus-surgery journey typically takes 2 to 3 years.
Will my jaw be wired shut?
Rarely, with modern techniques. Dr. Calleja uses rigid internal fixation — small titanium plates and screws that hold the bone securely — so most patients can open their mouth after surgery. Light orthodontic elastics (rubber bands), and sometimes a clear splint, guide your new bite while it heals.
Will jaw surgery change how my face looks?
Yes — repositioning the jaws changes your profile and facial balance, and for many patients that improvement is part of the goal. The change is planned, not left to chance: virtual surgical planning previews your new jaw position in 3D before surgery.
Can jaw surgery treat sleep apnea?
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) — moving both jaws forward to enlarge the airway — is one of the most effective surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, with published surgical success rates around 86%. If you use CPAP but struggle with it, an MMA evaluation may be worth discussing.
Where does Dr. Calleja perform jaw surgery?
Consultations and planning take place at the Waldorf and California, Maryland offices. Orthognathic procedures are performed in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia, typically with an overnight stay.
Have Questions About Jaw Surgery?
Dr. Calleja evaluates every case personally at the Waldorf and California, MD offices — consultations in English or Spanish.
Related Services
This page is general patient education, not personal medical advice. Every patient's anatomy and health history are different — treatment details, risks, and recovery vary case by case and are reviewed with you during your consultation. For emergencies, call 911.