Frequently Asked Questions

Corrective jaw (orthognathic) surgery is not purely cosmetic, but aesthetics are not an afterthought either. Function, bite, and appearance are treated as three equally important pillars. The goal is a result that works correctly and looks harmonious, because the two are inseparable.

Most of my patients go home the same day or the following morning after surgery. Swelling peaks around two to three days post-op and begins to subside quickly after that. Patients are typically on a soft, no-chew diet as early as 24 hours post-op. By four weeks, swelling has subsided enough that most people wouldn't notice anything was done. Most patients return to work or school one to two weeks post-op, and by six weeks the majority are cleared to return to normal eating and sports.

Because the jaws move, the profile changes. Aesthetics are taken into careful consideration throughout planning to ensure the result is both functional and looks harmonious. The degree to which your face looks different depends entirely on the specific movements required to achieve the best result for your individual anatomy.

General dentists handle routine care; oral & maxillofacial surgeons complete years of additional hospital-based training for jaw repositioning, complex extractions, and anesthesia. Jaw misalignment affecting chewing, TMJ pain from skeletal imbalance, or sleep apnea linked to jaw position are common referral reasons.

For some patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) moves both jaws forward to enlarge the airway. Candidacy depends on sleep studies, imaging, and a multidisciplinary review.

Modern jaw surgery uses high-resolution scans and virtual surgical planning to simulate jaw movements in 3D and produce custom guides, improving precision over traditional mechanical measurement.

Orthognathic treatment is usually coordinated with orthodontics before and after surgery. Pre-operative orthodontics ensures the teeth are in the correct position relative to the jaws so the bite can be properly aligned during the procedure. In some cases, the bite is intentionally worsened before surgery to allow for proper alignment during the operation. The final fine-tuning of the bite happens with your orthodontist after surgery.

A review of your dental and medical history, jaw-and-facial imaging, and a clear explanation of surgical and non-surgical options, risks, benefits, recovery, and how care is coordinated with your dentist and orthodontist.

Sometimes. Coordinating third-molar removal with jaw treatment can simplify orthodontics and reduce complications so the final bite is stable.

Every operation carries some risk, but corrective jaw surgery is a well-established procedure I perform routinely in a hospital setting with a full anesthesia team on hand. Your individual risk depends far more on your overall health than on the fact that it's surgery, which is exactly why we assess you thoroughly before setting a date.

Some swelling and discomfort are normal, but they're managed with a pain-control plan made in advance rather than left to chance. Most patients tell me the experience is more about swelling and a soft diet for a couple of weeks than the sharp pain they feared.

Corrective jaw surgery is done under general anesthesia, given and monitored from start to finish by a dedicated anesthesiologist. Serious anesthetic complications are rare and are usually linked to pre-existing conditions, which is why your health is reviewed carefully beforehand.

Awareness under modern general anesthesia is extremely rare. Throughout the procedure your anesthesiologist continuously monitors how deeply you're asleep along with your vital signs, adjusting medication to keep you unconscious and comfortable.

For most patients the only effects are short-lived grogginess or mild fogginess that clears within a day or two. Lasting cognitive issues are uncommon and tend to follow major or prolonged surgery in older patients, and we talk through your individual picture before proceeding.

Allergies very rarely rule anesthesia out. What matters is telling the team about every medication, food, and environmental allergy ahead of time, so they can avoid triggers and choose safe alternatives for you.

Most people just feel sleepy and a little disoriented for a short while as the anesthesia wears off, rather than talkative. Anything said in that haze is brief, harmless, and not something the recovery staff give a second thought to.

No. Anesthesia can affect your reaction time and judgment for several hours, so you'll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first day, even if you feel fine.

No — getting up and moving gently in the first days is part of a healthy recovery, not something to avoid. Rest matters early on, but prolonged bed rest isn't recommended, and most patients are up and about quickly.

For corrective jaw surgery the incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are no scars on your face. It's one of the first things I reassure patients about.

Age on its own rarely rules surgery out — what matters more is your overall health and how well any conditions are managed. With careful pre-operative planning, many patients with well-controlled conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure proceed safely, and sometimes we optimize a few things first.

Not necessarily. Recovery depends on your own anatomy, the specific movements your case needs, and the plan built around you, not on someone else's experience. I'll give you realistic expectations drawn from your own imaging and exam.

The skeletal correction is designed to last, but a stable long-term result also depends on completing your orthodontics and following the after-care plan. We stay involved through follow-up to protect the outcome you've worked toward.

The surgery is one part of a longer arc of care. Before and after your procedure I work alongside your anesthesiologist, dentist, and orthodontist so your overall health and your final bite are both looked after, not just the operation itself.