Jaw surgery is often the last resort if you have a deformity or injury that can’t be corrected with conservative measures. At Georgetown Orthodontics, we partner with many top-ranked oral surgeons in the Washington, DC, area. We provide comprehensive preoperative and postoperative care, so you can achieve a healthy bite and smile.
Jaw Surgery Q & A
Why do I need jaw surgery?
Jaw surgery is often the last resort to correct a congenital defect or trauma injury if dental appliances won’t be helpful. You may need jaw surgery if you have any of the following issues:
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD)
- Inability to keep your lips together
- Asymmetrical facial appearance
- Receding jaw line
- Protruding jaw
- Sleep apnea
- Broken jaw
- Open bite
- Underbite
Jaw surgery is personalized to your specific condition. Your oral surgeon can often correct more than one issue at a time, so you only have one recovery period.
What are the benefits of jaw surgery?
Jaw surgery can improve and resolve many issues. At Georgetown Orthodontics, we partner with several Washington, DC-area oral surgeons and help you prepare for jaw surgery, in addition to caring for you throughout every step of your recovery.
Once you’ve recovered from your jaw surgery, you may experience any of the following benefits (to name a few):
- Improved sleep
- Reduced or eliminated jaw pain
- Improved biting, swallowing, or chewing
- Enhanced, more symmetrical appearance
Because jaw surgery is a step toward correcting your bite, if you had any speech difficulties, this procedure can resolve those issues, too. Plus, modern jaw surgeries are minimally invasive, so you can expect little-to-no facial scarring afterward.
How long is the recovery after jaw surgery?
It’s common for jaw surgeries to be performed in a hospital or surgical center setting while under general anesthesia. Usually, jaw surgery is an outpatient procedure, so the patient can go home the same day. Initial recovery can take one to two weeks, but full recovery often takes four to eight weeks. We can perform any essential postoperative care or treatments you may need to ensure your orthodontic treatment plan progresses accordingly.