Jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is a procedure that corrects jaw abnormalities. It can involve your:

If your procedure involves both jaws, it’s called a double jaw surgery or bimaxillary osteotomy.

The goal is to improve the function and appearance of your jaws. Depending on jaw deformities, a surgeon might reposition your upper and lower jaws. They might also change their size by removing pieces of bones.

Read on to learn why double jaw surgery is done, along with the risks and recovery timeline.

Double jaw surgery is used to fix jaw deformities. The procedure could:

Normally, the upper jaw and teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth. This jaw alignment lets you eat and talk properly.

But if your jaws are misaligned, your upper and lower teeth may not come together correctly.

Types of jaw misalignment include:

The surgery could fix these issues by moving or rotating your jaws.

If your jaws did not grow at the same rate, you may have jaw abnormalities.

Either jaw might be underdeveloped or overgrown. This can occur in combination with jaw misalignment.

The procedure can correct uneven jaws. Your surgeon may position your lower jaw forward or reduce your jaws to make them more proportional.

Double jaw surgery could correct facial asymmetry due to:

The procedure may correct these issues, thus balancing facial features.

Normal jaw alignment and size are essential for basic functions, including:

If your jaw deformities make it difficult to do these activities, double jaw surgery may help.

The procedure can also ease facial pain due to jaw abnormalities, including severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Treatment of TMJ could be including a double-jaws surgery.

The TMJ is like a hinge that attaches your lower jawbone to your skull. Issues with this joint can lead to pain in your jaw, face, or around your ear.

In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your breathing temporarily stops during sleep. It occurs when the space in your airways become too narrow, making it difficult to breathe while sleeping.

A type of double jaw surgery, called maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery, can provide relief. Both jaws are often moved forward close to 10cm.

During the procedure, your upper and lower jawbones are shifted forward. This creates more space in your airways, helping you breathe better during sleep. This surgery doesn’t always result in a successful elimination of OSA.

Double jaw surgery may be recommended if you have:

But to be considered a good candidate, it’s also important that you:

To prepare for surgery, you’ll get braces 12 to 18 months before the procedure. This will help align your teeth. Some orthodontists use clear aligners for this phase.

You’ll have several appointments with your orthodontist and surgeon. They’ll take photos and use imaging tests to plan your surgery.

On the day of your procedure:

During the procedure, your surgeon may work on your upper jawbone first or your lower jawbone first. The sequence depends on their preference and your procedure.

Double jaw surgery, like all procedures, has potential risks. This includes:

If you’re concerned about these risks, talk to your surgeon.

There are many possible types of double jaw surgery. Here are examples of before and after results:

According to CostHelper Health, double jaw surgery can cost $40,000 or more. There have been anecdotal reports of the procedure costing around $56,000.

The total cost depends on the severity of the jaw abnormalities and hospital stay.

Generally, health insurance will cover the surgery if it’s needed to fix health issues like obstructive sleep apnea. You may get partial or full coverage.

If the surgery is purely cosmetic, your insurance provider might deny coverage. Be sure to check with your provider before seeking out the procedure.

After double jaw surgery, you’ll likely spend 1 to 3 nights in the hospital. The exact amount of time depends on your progress.

Your face will be swollen for about 48 hours. You may be able to drink water right after. You might be able to eat liquid foods the next day.

Before you’re allowed to go home, your surgeon will check your jaws and order X-rays.

When you’re discharged, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

You can expect to take 3 to 8 weeks off from work or school. During this time, you’ll likely experience:

To support a speedy recovery, it’s best to:

You’ll have weekly follow-up appointments for the first few weeks.

The initial phase of recovery usually lasts about 6 weeks. It can take up to 12 weeks for your jawbones to fully heal.

Before suggesting double jaw surgery, your orthodontist will try alternative treatments. The best option depends on your jaw abnormalities.

Double jaw surgery involves both jaws. It’s done to fix jaw deformities, like jaw misalignment or uneven size.

You may be a good candidate if nonsurgical treatments haven’t helped your jaw problems. Yet, like all surgeries, it may cause complications like numbness or hearing problems.

Your orthodontist can help you decide if the procedure is right for you.

Last medically reviewed on July 21, 2020

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