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For many Australians, the journey to a perfect smile begins and ends with orthodontics. But for some, particularly those with significant jaw discrepancies, traditional braces alone might not be enough. This is where corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, steps in – a transformative procedure that harmonises your bite, improves facial aesthetics, and enhances overall oral function.

If you’ve been told you might benefit from corrective jaw surgery, you’re likely curious about what it involves. As experts in orthodontic content, we’re here to demystify this often-misunderstood treatment, covering its types, the surgical procedure, and what you can expect during recovery, all within the context of Australian dental practice.

What is Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)?

Corrective jaw surgery is a specialised surgical procedure performed by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) in close collaboration with your orthodontist. It’s designed to correct irregularities of the jaw bones and realign the jaws and teeth, improving how they fit together. This can address a range of issues that impact not only your bite and chewing ability but also your speech, breathing, and facial symmetry.

Common reasons an Australian orthodontist might recommend corrective jaw surgery include:

  • Significant overbite or underbite: When the upper and lower jaws are severely misaligned, making it difficult to bite or chew effectively.
  • Open bite: A gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. You are unable to bring the front teeth together
  • Crossbite: When some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.
  • Facial asymmetry: Noticeable imbalance in the face due to jaw discrepancies.
  • Difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing.
  • Chronic jaw pain (TMJ issues) and headaches.
  • Excessive wear of teeth.
  • Breathing problems, especially during sleep (sleep apnoea).

Types of Corrective Jaw Surgery

The specific type of jaw surgery you require will depend on your unique jaw structure and the nature of your misalignment. In Australia, the most common types include:

  1. Surgically Assisted Maxillary expansion: a procedure used to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) in adolescents or adults when the midpalatal suture has fused and conventional orthodontic expansion is no longer effective.
  2. Maxillary Osteotomy (Upper Jaw Surgery): This procedure corrects issues with the upper jaw, such as a significantly recessed or protruding upper jaw, crossbite, or too much gum tissue showing (gummy smile). The surgeon carefully cuts and repositions the upper jawbone, securing it in its new position with small titanium plates and screws.
  3. Mandibular Osteotomy (Lower Jaw Surgery): This surgery focuses on the lower jaw to correct a protruding or receding lower jaw. The bone is cut behind the molars and along the jawbone, allowing the front part of the lower jaw to be moved forward or backward to achieve the correct alignment. Again, plates and screws stabilise the new position.
  4. Bimaxillary Osteotomy (Double Jaw Surgery): As the name suggests, this involves surgery on both the upper and lower jaws. It’s often required for more complex cases where both jaws are significantly misaligned in relation to each other and the rest of the face.
  5. Genioplasty (Chin Surgery): While often performed in conjunction with jaw surgery, genioplasty specifically reshapes the chin bone to improve facial harmony. This can involve moving the chin forward or backward or making it shorter or longer.

The Procedure: What to Expect in Australia

Corrective jaw surgery in Australia is a comprehensive process involving several stages:

  1. Treatment Planning (The Collaborative Approach): Your journey begins with a thorough consultation with your specialist orthodontist. If surgery is deemed necessary, they will refer you to an Oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). This is a crucial collaborative phase where your orthodontist and OMS work closely together. They’ll use advanced diagnostics, including dental plaster or digital models, X-rays (like OPGs and cephalometric X-rays), 3D imaging, and photographs, to create a precise treatment plan tailored to your needs. This planning ensures the optimal aesthetic and functional outcome.
  2. Pre-Surgical Orthodontic Treatment: Before surgery, you will typically undergo a period of orthodontic treatment (usually with braces, or sometimes clear aligners like Invisalign, if suitable). This phase, which can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, is vital for aligning your teeth within each jaw. This allows your teeth to fit together correctly once your jaws are surgically repositioned. It’s important to note that your bite and even your facial appearance might temporarily worsen during this stage as your teeth move into their new positions, ready for surgery.
  3. The Surgical Procedure: The surgery itself is performed in a hospital under general anesthetic, meaning you’ll be completely asleep. The OMS will make precise incisions, almost always inside your mouth, meaning there are no visible external scars. The jaw bones are carefully cut, repositioned into their planned alignment, and then secured with tiny, biocompatible titanium plates and screws. These plates and screws are typically left in indefinitely and are not noticeable. Depending on the complexity, single jaw surgery might take 1-2 hours, while double jaw surgery can take 3-5 hours. You will generally stay in hospital for 1-2 nights post-surgery.
  4. Post-Surgical Orthodontic Treatment: After your jawbones have healed sufficiently (typically around 6 weeks), your orthodontist will continue with fine-tuning your bite. Braces will usually remain on for another 6-9 months to ensure your teeth settle perfectly into their new positions.
  5. Retention: Once your active orthodontic treatment is complete, you’ll enter the retention phase, where you’ll wear retainers to maintain your newly corrected bite and jaw position long-term.

Recovery: What to Expect After Corrective Jaw Surgery

Recovery from corrective jaw surgery requires patience and adherence to your surgeon’s instructions. Here’s a general overview of what to expect in Australia:

  • Immediate Post-Op (Hospital Stay): You’ll likely experience facial swelling, discomfort, and numbness. Pain medication will be provided to manage any discomfort. You’ll typically have an IV for fluids and medication. Drainage tubes may be present for lower jaw surgery, which are usually removed within 24-48 hours. Elastic bands are often placed on your braces to guide your bite and stabilise the jaws.
  • Swelling: Swelling is normal and usually peaks around 48-72 hours after surgery. It will gradually subside over several weeks, though it can take a few months for all residual swelling to resolve. Keeping your head elevated and using ice packs can help.
  • Diet: You’ll be on a liquid or very soft, no-chew diet for the first few weeks (typically 4-6 weeks) to allow the bones to heal. Your surgeon and orthodontist will provide detailed dietary guidelines. Gradually, you’ll progress to a normal diet, avoiding hard or crunchy foods for a longer period.
  • Pain Management: While you might feel some discomfort, most patients report that the pain is manageable with prescribed analgesics.
  • Bruising: Some bruising on the face and neck is common and will fade over a week or two.
  • Jaw Stiffness: Your jaw may feel stiff, and your mouth opening will be reduced initially due to swelling. Gentle exercises may be recommended as you heal.
  • Oral Hygiene: Meticulous oral hygiene is crucial. You’ll be given instructions on how to gently brush your teeth and use mouth rinses to prevent infection.
  • Time Off Work/Study: Most patients require 2-4 weeks off from work or study to recover adequately. Strenuous activities and contact sports should be avoided for several months.
  • Follow-up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with both your OMS and orthodontist are essential to monitor your healing and adjust your orthodontic treatment as needed.

It’s normal to experience a period of adjustment to your new bite and facial appearance. Open communication with your surgical and orthodontic team is key throughout your recovery.

The Investment in Your Smile

The cost of corrective jaw surgery in Australia can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the surgeon’s fees, anesthetist fees, and hospital charges. Generally, the surgical component can range from $6,000 to $15,000 or more. Medicare typically covers a portion of the surgical fees if the procedure is for functional rather than purely cosmetic reasons. Private health insurance with appropriate hospital cover can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for hospital and anesthetist fees. It’s always best to obtain a detailed estimate from your surgeon and check with your health fund.

Why Choose Liverpool Orthodontics for Your Journey?

At Liverpool Orthodontics, we understand that considering corrective jaw surgery is a significant decision. As a leading orthodontic practice in the Liverpool area, our team, led by registered specialist orthodontists Dr. Eva Low and Dr. Priyanka Poona, are experts in comprehensive orthodontic care.

If you’re in Liverpool or the surrounding areas and believe corrective jaw surgery might be part of your orthodontic solution, we invite you to contact Liverpool Orthodontics for a consultation. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.