When Braces Alone Are Not Enough: Jaw (Orthognathic) Surgery Explained
The four side profiles in this photograph show something braces alone cannot do. Teeth can be moved within the jaw — but when the jaws themselves are significantly out of position, no amount of wire and bracket work can put the bite, the profile and the airway right at the same time. That is where orthognathic surgery — corrective jaw surgery, planned jointly by an orthodontist and a maxillofacial surgeon — comes in.
How to tell a jaw problem from a teeth problem
Signs the discrepancy is skeletal (in the jaws) rather than dental:
- A very prominent or very receding chin in profile
- An underbite or overbite so large the lips cannot close comfortably
- A bite where front teeth do not meet at all, or meet only at the back
- Difficulty chewing, jaw joint strain, or speech affected by jaw position
- Facial asymmetry, where the chin points off to one side
The journey, in order
Orthognathic treatment is a team process with a fixed sequence:
- Diagnosis and planning — photographs, X-rays/CBCT and digital models measure exactly how each jaw must move.
- Braces before surgery — teeth are first aligned within each jaw, deliberately preparing them for their post-surgery positions.
- The surgery — performed in hospital under general anaesthesia by a maxillofacial surgeon; the jaw is repositioned and fixed with small plates and screws.
- Braces after surgery — final detailing of the bite over the following months, then retainers.
Important: This treatment is generally planned only after jaw growth is complete, usually in late teens or adulthood. That is the opposite timing to growth-guidance appliances in children — which is exactly why early assessment matters, because some jaw problems can be softened or avoided while a child is still growing.
FAQs
Is jaw surgery only for looks? No — its main goals are a working bite, comfortable chewing and jaw function; the profile improvement comes with it.
How long does the whole process take? Commonly 18–30 months including the braces phases; your team will map your own timeline.
Are the plates permanent? The small titanium plates usually stay in place permanently and rarely cause issues.
Final Thoughts
For the right patient, combined orthodontics and jaw surgery is life-changing — eating comfortably, speaking clearly and a profile in balance. If you have been told your bite problem is “in the jaws,” ask for a proper combined assessment at Braces & Faces Multi Speciality Dental Clinic, Susan Road, Near Bismillah Foods, Madina Town, Faisalabad, or call 0316-4936792.
This article is general educational information about a real treatment category at our clinic. Jaw surgery decisions are made jointly with a maxillofacial surgeon after full records and are never based on photographs alone.