What Is Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)?
Jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, is a procedure that repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct skeletal misalignments affecting bite, facial balance, and daily function. Unlike standard orthodontic treatment that moves teeth within existing bone, orthognathic surgery physically repositions the jawbones themselves to create proper alignment.
Why does this matter? Some conditions simply can’t be fixed with braces or Invisalign alone. When your jaw bones grew unevenly or are positioned incorrectly, moving teeth won’t solve the underlying problem. You might end up with straighter teeth, but your bite would still be off, and functional issues would persist. The teeth are only part of the equation.
Dr. Zaidi and our dream team coordinate surgical orthodontic care for patients who need more than traditional treatment can offer. During your free consultation, we evaluate conditions that may call for jaw surgery, including:
- Severe skeletal overbites and underbites
- Open bites where front teeth don’t touch when back teeth are closed
- Crossbites caused by jaw width discrepancies
- TMJ dysfunction related to jaw positioning
- Facial asymmetry from uneven jaw growth
Our practice works closely with oral and maxillofacial surgeons throughout Connecticut to plan and execute these complex cases. This collaborative approach means your orthodontic treatment and surgical procedure are designed together from the start, leading to better outcomes and more predictable results.
Benefits of Jaw Surgery at Zaidi Orthodontics
Jaw surgery provides functional, aesthetic, and health benefits including improved chewing, facial balance, TMJ relief, and better breathing. Patients at Zaidi Orthodontics who undergo jaw surgery experience results that go well beyond aesthetics.
- Chewing and speaking get easier. Proper jaw alignment makes chewing more efficient. Many patients tell us they can finally bite into foods they’d been avoiding for years, and speech clarity improves too.
- Your face comes into balance. Orthognathic surgery corrects facial asymmetry and creates more harmonious proportions. Your chin, cheeks, and profile align the way they should. That kind of change tends to boost confidence in ways patients don’t always expect, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
- Chronic jaw discomfort often improves. TMJ issues, jaw clicking, headaches, and muscle tension frequently stem from misaligned jaws. Surgery addresses the root cause rather than just managing symptoms. At Zaidi Orthodontics, patients frequently describe long-term relief they couldn’t achieve through other treatments.
- Braces can finally do their job. When skeletal issues limit what orthodontics can accomplish, jaw surgery removes those limitations. Surgical repositioning combined with orthodontic refinement achieves results that neither treatment could produce alone.
- Breathing and sleep improve. For patients with airway obstruction related to jaw position, surgery can open the airway and reduce or eliminate sleep apnea symptoms. This single change affects energy levels, cardiovascular health, and how rested you feel day to day.
How Does Jaw Surgery Work? The Treatment Process
Jaw surgery treatment follows four phases: initial assessment, pre-surgical orthodontics, the surgical procedure, and post-surgical orthodontics. Each phase requires careful coordination between your orthodontist and oral surgeon.
Step 1: Your Initial Assessment
Treatment starts with a thorough evaluation at our practice. We use 3D dental imaging to capture detailed views of your jaw structure, teeth, and facial bones. This technology allows Dr. Zaidi to analyze your specific anatomy and identify exactly what needs to change.
During this evaluation, we discuss your concerns, examine your bite, and determine whether jaw surgery is the right path for you. Not everyone who thinks they need surgery actually does, and not everyone who could benefit realizes it’s an option.
Step 2: Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
Before surgery, you’ll wear braces or Invisalign to position your teeth correctly within each jaw. This phase lasts 12 to 18 months in most cases. It might seem counterintuitive, but your bite may actually look or feel worse during this time. That’s expected. We’re aligning teeth to fit together properly after the jaws are repositioned, not before.
Step 3: The Surgical Procedure
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the actual surgery in a hospital setting. Dr. Zaidi, a D.M.D.-credentialed orthodontist, coordinates the orthodontic aspects of the procedure. The surgeon makes precise cuts in the jawbone, repositions the segments, and secures them with small plates and screws. Most jaw surgeries are performed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no visible facial scars.
Single-jaw procedures typically take two to three hours, while double-jaw surgery runs longer. The Connecticut-based oral surgeons we partner with specialize in these procedures and work with our team regularly.
Step 4: Recovery and Post-Surgical Orthodontics
Initial recovery takes four to six weeks. You’ll follow a modified diet during this time as your jaws heal. Most patients return to work or school within two to three weeks, though strenuous activity stays limited longer.
After healing, you’ll continue orthodontic treatment to fine-tune your bite. This post-surgical phase lasts six to twelve months. The total treatment timeline from start to finish ranges from 18 to 30 months.
How Do I Know If I Need Jaw Surgery?
You may need jaw surgery if you have severe bite problems, chronic TMJ symptoms, facial asymmetry, breathing issues, or bite relapse after previous orthodontic treatment. Determining whether you’re a candidate for orthognathic surgery at Zaidi Orthodontics requires professional evaluation. That said, certain signs suggest jaw surgery might be worth exploring:
- Severe bite problems. Significant overbites, underbites, or crossbites that make chewing difficult often indicate skeletal issues rather than dental ones. If previous orthodontic treatment didn’t fully correct your bite, jaw positioning may be the underlying cause, and that’s something we can assess during a free consultation.
- Chronic jaw symptoms. Persistent TMJ discomfort, frequent headaches, jaw clicking or locking, and muscle tension around your face can all relate to misalignment.
- Facial appearance concerns. A receding chin, protruding jaw, or noticeable asymmetry between the left and right sides of your face may reflect skeletal imbalances that only surgery can address. These aren’t purely cosmetic issues either, since they often go hand in hand with functional problems.
- Breathing or sleep issues. Sleep apnea, chronic mouth breathing, or airway obstruction related to jaw position are serious health concerns that surgery can sometimes resolve more effectively than other treatments. If you’ve been using a CPAP machine or struggling with poor sleep, it’s worth asking whether jaw positioning plays a role.
- Past braces didn’t fully fix things. The problem may be skeletal rather than dental.
Zaidi Orthodontics offers free consultations specifically to evaluate surgical candidacy. Dr. Zaidi can assess your situation and help you understand whether jaw surgery makes sense for your goals.
Why Choose Zaidi Orthodontics for Jaw Surgery in Simsbury
Surgical orthodontic cases demand expertise, precision, and coordination. Here’s why Simsbury families trust our practice for complex care.
Specialized Training and Experience
Dr. Sheeba Zaidi holds a D.M.D. and has dedicated her career to orthodontics, including the planning and coordination of surgical cases. She understands the nuances of treatment that involves both orthodontic movement and surgical repositioning, and she brings that depth of knowledge to every case she takes on. Her approach is methodical: she studies each patient’s imaging, maps out the treatment sequence in detail, and stays involved through every phase of care.
Technology and Surgeon Partnerships
Our practice uses 3D dental imaging and digital planning tools for precise visualization of your treatment. This technology helps Dr. Zaidi and your surgeon coordinate exactly where teeth and jaws need to end up. We work with experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons throughout Connecticut, and these established relationships mean your surgeon and Dr. Zaidi stay in sync throughout treatment. When questions come up mid-case, there’s no lag in communication, because these are professionals who already know how each other works.
Braces, Invisalign, and Advanced Orthodontic Options
Surgical cases sometimes call for specific bracket systems or wire sequences that standard cases don’t require. Our practice carries the orthodontic tools needed for these situations, including both traditional braces and Invisalign, giving us flexibility to match the approach to your specific anatomy.
Support Through Every Phase
Jaw surgery is a significant decision. Our dream team takes time to explain everything, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident about your treatment plan. We’re with you from your initial free consultation through your final retainer, and we don’t disappear between appointments. If something feels off during recovery or you have a question at 9 PM on a Tuesday, we want you to feel comfortable reaching out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jaw Surgery
Patients at Zaidi Orthodontics commonly ask these questions about jaw surgery.
Is jaw surgery uncomfortable?
Most patients describe jaw surgery recovery as manageable, especially weighed against the long-term benefits. You’ll be under general anesthesia during the procedure, so you won’t feel anything during surgery itself. Afterward, expect swelling, soreness, and some numbness. Your surgical team will prescribe medication to manage discomfort during initial recovery.
How long is recovery from jaw surgery?
Four to six weeks for initial recovery. Swelling peaks during the first week or two, then gradually subsides. Most patients return to work or school within two to three weeks. Strenuous physical activity stays off-limits for six to eight weeks. Complete bone healing takes several months, but you’ll feel progressively better throughout.
Does insurance cover jaw surgery?
In many cases, yes. Insurance plans frequently cover jaw surgery when it’s deemed medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic, particularly when surgery corrects functional problems like difficulty chewing, breathing issues, or TMJ dysfunction. Our dream team can help you understand your benefits and work through the insurance process.
What is the difference between jaw surgery and braces?
Braces move teeth within your existing jaw structure. Jaw surgery repositions the actual jawbones. When skeletal misalignment causes your bite problems, moving teeth alone can’t create proper function or facial balance. Many patients need both treatments working together.
| Feature | Braces | Jaw Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| What moves | Teeth within existing bone | Jawbones themselves |
| When needed | Dental misalignment | Skeletal misalignment |
| Treatment scope | Tooth positioning and spacing | Jaw repositioning and bite correction |
| Used alone? | Yes, for many patients | Almost always paired with orthodontics |
Can Invisalign be used with jaw surgery?
Yes. Invisalign can be used for the pre-surgical orthodontic phase to align teeth before surgery, and sometimes for post-surgical refinement as well. Dr. Zaidi will evaluate whether Invisalign is appropriate for your specific situation or whether traditional braces would be more effective.
Schedule Your Jaw Surgery Consultation in Simsbury Today
If you’re dealing with bite problems, jaw discomfort, or facial imbalance that hasn’t responded to other treatments, it’s worth finding out if jaw surgery is right for you.
Zaidi Orthodontics offers free consultations to evaluate your situation and explain your options clearly. Virtual consultations are also available for your initial assessment if that’s more convenient.
Your smile is our priority! Give us a call or request your first visit online. We see patients at our Rocky Hill and Wallingford locations too, if either is closer for you. The Zaidi Orthodontics team is ready to welcome you and help you find out what treatment could look like for your smile and your health.