Specialized Procedure
Correct your bite and facial symmetry with expert jaw surgery in Katy, TX. Our board-certified oral surgeons specialize in orthognathic surgery for you.
Dental Implants
Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) is needed when jaws don't meet correctly and/or teeth don't seem to fit with the jaws. Teeth are straightened with orthodontics, and corrective jaw surgery repositions a misaligned jaw. This not only improves facial appearance but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly. Orthognathic surgery addresses issues that orthodontics alone cannot fix, improving both function and facial balance.
Your surgeon aligns the jawbones using precise surgical techniques. The bones are then secured with small plates and screws. These biocompatible materials remain in place permanently but rarely cause discomfort. This procedure goes beyond cosmetic improvement. It resolves functional problems that affect your daily life, from chewing difficulties to sleep-related breathing disorders.
What To Expect
Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) is needed when jaws don't meet correctly and/or teeth don't seem to fit with the jaws. Teeth are straightened with orthodontics, and corrective jaw surgery repositions a misaligned jaw. This not only improves facial appearance but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly. Orthognathic surgery addresses issues that orthodontics alone cannot fix, improving both function and facial balance.
Your surgeon aligns the jawbones using precise surgical techniques. The bones are then secured with small plates and screws. These biocompatible materials remain in place permanently but rarely cause discomfort. This procedure goes beyond cosmetic improvement. It resolves functional problems that affect your daily life, from chewing difficulties to sleep-related breathing disorders.
People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite or misaligned jaws. Jaw growth is a gradual process, and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of problems affecting chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaw and congenital disabilities can also affect jaw alignment. Orthodontics alone can correct bite problems when only the teeth are involved. Orthognathic surgery may be required to reposition the jaws.
Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing food Chronic jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain Excessive wear on your teeth from improper bite alignment Sleep apnea or breathing difficulties during sleep Facial imbalance or asymmetry affecting appearance A protruding or receding jaw that doesn't respond to orthodontics alone An open bite, where teeth don't meet when the mouth closes Congenital disabilities or injuries that altered the jaw structure Any of these symptoms can exist at birth, be acquired after birth as a result of hereditary or environmental influences, or as a result of trauma to the face. Before any treatment begins, a consultation will be held to conduct a comprehensive examination and X-rays. During the pre-treatment consultation, feel free to ask any questions you have about your treatment. When you are fully informed about your care, you and your dental team can decide together whether to proceed with treatment.
Advanced 3D imaging technology allows our surgeons to plan every detail before surgery begins. This technology maps your facial structure and shows exactly how your jaw will be repositioned. The precision reduces surgical time and improves outcomes. The procedure takes place in a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia. Most incisions are made inside your mouth, leaving no visible scars on your face. Surgery duration varies from two to four hours, depending on complexity. Our surgeon carefully separates the jawbone in planned locations. For upper jaw repositioning, cuts are made above the teeth and below the eye sockets. For lower-jaw surgery, incisions are made behind the molars and along the jawline inside the mouth. The surgeon then moves the bones into their new position according to the pre-surgical plan. Small titanium plates and screws hold the bones in place while healing occurs. These fixation devices are biocompatible and typically remain in place permanently without complications. In some cases, bone may be added, removed, or reshaped to achieve optimal alignment. The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. This serves patients seeking corrective jaw surgery, providing expert care from experienced surgeons.
Modern techniques have made recovery more manageable than many patients expect. You'll stay in the hospital for 1-2 nights and return to work within 2-3 weeks. Your jaw may be wired or banded temporarily while you follow a liquid and soft food diet for several weeks. Swelling peaks around day three, then gradually decreases. Pain is typically well controlled with medication, with most patients reporting pressure rather than sharp pain. Key aftercare tips for optimal recovery: Apply ice packs for the first 48 hours and sleep with your head elevated Progress from liquid to soft foods as directed by your surgeon Take all prescribed medications on schedule Avoid strenuous activity for at least six weeks Rinse gently with saltwater after meals and attend all follow-up appointments