Surgical Orthodontics in Houston, TX
Sometimes a healthy, functional bite needs more than braces alone. When the upper and lower jaws are significantly out of proportion, the most stable, lasting correction may involve surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery (a term that simply means surgery to reposition the jaws). At Greater Houston Orthodontics, our board-certified team plans these cases carefully and works hand in hand with a skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeon, so that both function and appearance are addressed together.
These cases are less common than routine braces or aligner treatment, and we will always be clear about whether surgery is genuinely needed for your result.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics corrects jaw irregularities and complex bite problems that braces cannot fix on their own. Because braces move teeth but cannot move the jaws themselves, a significant skeletal mismatch, such as a severe underbite or a markedly recessed lower jaw, may need the jaws repositioned surgically. Doing so can improve how a patient chews, speaks, and breathes, and it often produces a meaningful improvement in facial balance as well. The orthodontist and the surgeon coordinate every step so the teeth and jaws end up working together.
Who Is a Candidate?
Surgical orthodontics is typically considered for patients who:
- Have finished growing (generally around age 16 for females and 18 for males), since the jaws should be done developing before surgery
- Have a bite problem that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone
- Experience difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing because of jaw position
- Have a facial imbalance that affects comfort or confidence
Orthodontic preparation can sometimes begin before growth is fully complete, but the surgery itself is planned for after growth has finished. If you have been told you may have a complex bite or jaw discrepancy, our team can tell you whether surgery is part of the best path forward, or whether another approach will achieve your goals.
How the Process Works
Surgical orthodontics is a coordinated, multi-step process designed for a stable, lasting result:
- Pre-surgical orthodontics. Braces first move the teeth into the positions they need to be in for the jaws to fit together correctly after surgery. Interestingly, the bite can temporarily look less aligned during this phase, which is expected and part of the plan.
- Orthognathic surgery. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, usually under general anesthesia. The orthodontist and surgeon have mapped the movements together in advance.
- Post-surgical orthodontics. After healing, braces make the final, detailed adjustments so the bite fits together precisely.
- Retention. Once braces come off, a retainer protects the new alignment for the long term.
Common surgical movements include bringing a jaw forward or back, raising or lowering it, or refining the facial bones for better function and balance.
Recovery and Results
Recovery varies by patient and procedure, but in general most people return to work or school within about two weeks, with fuller healing over roughly four to eight weeks. Braces stay on for several months after surgery for fine-tuning, followed by retainer wear. While the process takes commitment, the payoff is significant: a bite that functions well, easier chewing and speaking, better long-term oral health, and often a more balanced facial profile and greater confidence.
Preparing for Treatment and What to Ask
Because surgical orthodontics is a bigger commitment than routine treatment, we make sure patients understand the full picture before anything begins. During planning, the orthodontist and the oral surgeon review your records together, often using digital imaging and bite models to map the exact movements in advance. You will know which jaw or jaws will be repositioned, roughly how long the orthodontic phases before and after surgery will take, and what recovery involves.
It helps to come to your consultation with questions. Patients often ask about the total timeline, what recovery really looks like, how surgery is likely to affect their appearance, and how costs and insurance work, since medically necessary jaw surgery is sometimes covered differently than orthodontics alone. We welcome all of these questions and answer them honestly and specifically for your case.
Throughout the process, the orthodontic side of your care stays with our team, and we remain in close contact with your surgeon so the plan moves seamlessly from one phase to the next. You are never handed off to coordinate things yourself. Our role is to guide you through each step, keep you comfortable and informed, and make sure the teeth and jaws finish in a stable, healthy, balanced relationship.
Is Surgical Orthodontics Right for You?
If you have a complex bite or jaw misalignment, or you have struggled to eat, speak, or breathe comfortably, surgical orthodontics may be the answer, or we may find that a non-surgical plan will do. Either way, you will get a clear, honest recommendation. You can also read about the bite problems we treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I definitely need jaw surgery if I have a severe bite problem?
Not necessarily. Many bite problems are correctable with braces or aligners alone. Surgery is reserved for significant skeletal discrepancies, and we will tell you honestly whether it is truly needed for your result.
Who performs the surgery?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgery. We handle the orthodontic planning and the braces phases, coordinating closely with the surgeon throughout.
Is orthognathic surgery painful?
The surgery is done under general anesthesia, so you will not feel it during the procedure. Some swelling and discomfort during recovery are normal and managed with your surgeon’s guidance.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies, but plan on braces before and after surgery, typically totaling well over a year of orthodontic treatment around the procedure. We will give you a personalized timeline.
Will surgery change how my face looks?
Often, yes, in a positive way. Because the jaws sit at the foundation of the face, repositioning them can improve balance and profile along with function. We will discuss realistic expectations during plannin
Does insurance cover jaw surgery?
Medically necessary orthognathic surgery is often covered, at least in part, under medical insurance, while the orthodontic phases may fall under dental coverage. Our office and your surgeon’s office will help you understand and coordinate both.
Will I be in braces the whole time?
Usually yes. Braces guide the teeth before surgery and detail the bite afterward, so they are typically on throughout the process and removed once your result is stable.
At what age can jaw surgery be done?
Orthognathic surgery is typically planned once the jaws have finished growing, generally around age 16 for females and 18 for males. Orthodontic preparation can sometimes begin a little earlier.
