Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, is used to correct significant problems with the jaws and bite that cannot be fully treated with braces or clear aligners alone. These jaw and facial bone imbalances can affect chewing, speaking, breathing, and even sleep. When combined with orthodontic treatment, jaw surgery can improve both function and facial appearance.

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both so that the teeth and jaws fit together properly. It is planned in coordination with orthodontic treatment so that:

• The bite is aligned correctly
• The teeth meet evenly
• The facial profile is more balanced

Dr. Joseph Porter will work closely with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon to create a combined treatment plan tailored to your needs.

What Problems Can Corrective Jaw Surgery Address?

Jaw surgery may be recommended if you have:

• Difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing
• Chronic jaw pain or dysfunction
• Significant overbite, underbite, or open bite
• A protruding or receding jaw
• Facial imbalance or asymmetry
• Breathing difficulties related to jaw position

These problems often cannot be resolved with orthodontics alone and may require repositioning the jaws to achieve a stable, healthy result.

Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery can provide both functional and cosmetic benefits, such as:

• Improved chewing and speaking ability
• Better bite alignment and jaw function
• Easier breathing in some cases
• Enhanced facial balance and profile
• Increased comfort and long-term stability
• Greater confidence in your smile and appearance

For many patients, the improvements in everyday comfort and self-esteem are life-changing.

How Does Advanced Technology Improve Jaw Surgery?

Porter Orthodontics uses modern technology to plan jaw surgery with precision:

• Digital imaging to visualize your teeth, jaws, and facial structure
• Computerized treatment planning to map jaw movements and bite changes
• High-quality materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws for strength and stability

This technology helps shorten treatment timelines, increase accuracy, and support a smoother recovery and more predictable results.

Do I Always Need Jaw Surgery, or Can Braces Be Enough?

Not every bite or jaw issue requires orthognathic surgery. Thanks to advances in orthodontics, many conditions that once required surgery can now be treated with:

• Braces
• Clear aligners such as Invisalign
• Growth modification in younger patients

During your consultation, Dr. Porter will evaluate your bite, jaw alignment, and facial balance to determine whether:

• Braces or aligners alone are enough, or
• A combined orthodontic and surgical approach will give you the best and most stable outcome

If surgery is recommended, our team will guide you through each step, ensuring you know what to expect.

What Types of Jaw Corrections Are Common?

Depending on your diagnosis, orthognathic surgery may involve:

• Moving the lower jaw forward or backward
• Repositioning the upper jaw up, down, forward, or backward
• Correcting a Class II (small lower jaw) or Class III (large lower jaw or small upper jaw) relationship
• Treating an anterior open bite where the front teeth do not touch
• Performing maxillary impaction to correct a skeletal open bite

These movements are carefully planned so that the final bite is stable and the facial profile is more harmonious.