How Jaw Surgery Changes Your Face

How Corrective Jaw Surgery Changes Your Face?

In modern aesthetic dentistry and bite correction, orthodontic treatment is often the foundation for achieving straighter teeth and a confident smile. However, in some cases, the problem extends beyond tooth alignment. The true cause lies deeper  within the underlying jawbone structure.
 
When jawbones are misaligned or disproportionate, patients may experience :
  • Facial imbalance or asymmetry
  • A protruding or retruded chin
  • Severe malocclusion whereby upper and lower teeth are not align properly
  • Difficulty chewing, speaking or breathing
  • Chronic jaw pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort

In these situations, orthodontics combined with jaw surgery. also known as orthognathic surgery, provides a comprehensive and effective solution to restore both facial balance and optimal jaw function.

FAQ 1: What Is Orthognathic Surgery)

Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery procedure performed in combination with orthodontic treatment. It repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), the lower jaw (mandible), or both jaw to achieve ideal jaw alignment for functional occlusion and facial balance 
 
This treatment does not focus solely on aesthetics but its objective is to significantly improve:
  • Chewing efficiency
  • Speech clarity
  • Breathing function
  • Reduce or treat TMJ disorder symptoms or joint pain
  • Improve overall quality of life
Orthognathic surgery is considered the ideal treatment standard when orthodontics alone us unable correct skeletal jaw discrepancies.
Jaw surgery operation

FAQ 2: Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Orthodontics Combined with Jaw Surgery?

Who is a suitable candidate for jaw surgery and when or how do I know if jaw surgery is for me?  Corrective jaw surgery treatment is recommended for patients with structural jaw abnormalities that cannot be corrected with braces alone.

Some case indications include:

  • Protruding chin (Mandibular Prognathism)
  • Retruded chin (Retrognathia)
  • Severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Open bite (front teeth do not meet)
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea caused by jaw structure
  • Patients who previously had braces but did not achieve ideal results due to skeletal limitations

When Is Orthodontics Combined with Jaw Surgery Necessary?

 

“Orthodontic treatment is not only just about straightening teeth, orthodontics aim to correct misaligned teeth and jaws. In some cases where there is a skeletal imbalance, orthodontics combined with jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be required to restore proper bite and chewing function, while also enhancing facial Balance for a natural-looking result.”

– Dr. Chidchanok Sessirisombat DDS., Orthodontist at BIDH Dental Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 2
 

Read More: Orthodontic Treatments (Click)

FAQ 3: Common Jaw Conditions Requiring Surgery

Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is commonly used to treat facial aesthetics such as small chin, gummy smiles, bulging mouth and lips. But more importantly it helps resolve bite issues.  

คางยื่น
  • Mandibular Prognathism (Underbite)

    The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw creating an underbite and imbalanced facial appearance.

  • Retrognathia (Retruded Chin)

    The lower jaw is underdeveloped causing a recessed chin, lip protrusion and a flat facial profile. 

  • Facial Asymmetry

    Uneven jaw growth results in a tilted or asymmetrical face and improper bite alignment.

  • Open Bite

    Front teeth do not touch when biting down fully. This affects speech and chewing.

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

    A narrow airway caused by jaw positioning may lead to breathing interruptions during sleep that can be a serious health condition if left untreated.

จัดฟันเหล็ก

A protruding chin and an improper bite are issues that affect both appearance and overall health. These conditions can be effectively corrected with orthodontics combined with jaw surgery.

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FAQ 4 : Corrective Jaw Surgery Treatment Process

Dental Imaging

The correct jaw surgery treatment process follows a multidisciplinary approach to ensure precision and safety at every stage at BIDH Dental Hospital. Each patient has its individual conditions and the phase may differ. Highlighted below is a conventional standard jaw surgery phases.

  1. Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
  2. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics
  3. Jaw Surgery Procedure
  4. Post-Surgical Orthodontics
During jaw surgery treatment diagnoses, both your orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon will does a comprehensive oral examination. Digital impressions (intraoral scanning), Digital X-rays and 3D CT Scan will be taken. A facial and jaw structural analysis is done to determine the pre and post surgery results. 
 
3D virtual surgical simulation (Virtual Surgical Planning – VSP) is often used to plan jaw surgery cases so patients are able to view how their post-surgery results looks like. Discussion and expectations on the treatment process, timeline and healing period is confirmed with the patient.

For most cases, braces are first worn for approximately 12 to 18 months to align teeth in preparation for jaw repositioning.

Once your orthodontist checks that pre-surgical orthodontic is achieved. The actual jaw surgery procedure is scheduled and will be performed under general anesthesia in at a hospital operating theatre. 
 
At BIDH dental hospital, pre-surgery preparation includes having a chest x-ray and blood works done to ensure you are in good health to undergo surgery in total sleep a few days before the schedule surgery day. An anesthesiologist and registered nurses trained for operating theatre  surgeries and anesthesiology is setup.
 
During the actual jaw surgery, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist and anesthesiologist will be present. Upper and/or lower jaw are re-positioned for facial balance. Your surgeon will attempt jaw surgery to avoid visible external facial scars.
 
You may be recommended for hospital stay of approximately 2 to 3 days with close monitoring to all is well before you are discharged for care back home. 
After jaw surgery, your orthodontist continues orthodontic braces treatment for around 6 to 12 months to fine-tune the bite alignment for optimal long-term stability.
single teeth crown

Benefits & Limitations of Jaw Surgery

Benefits

  • Achieves balanced and harmonious facial structure
  • Permanently corrects severe malocclusion
  • Improves chewing, speech and breathing
  • Reduces chronic TMJ pain
  • Enhances confidence and overall facial aesthetics

Considerations

  • Long-term treatment commitment with pre and post orthodontic treatment
  • Surgical recovery period required
  • Higher costs as compared to conventional orthodontics, but delivers life-changing and long-term results

FAQ 6: Why Choose BIDH for Orthodontics Combined with Jaw Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is a complex procedure. For successful outcomes, this requires precision, expertises, hospital-grade safety standards and patient cooperation.
 
BIDH Dental Hospital is one of Thailand’s leading specialized dental hospitals that is recognized for its excellence on advanced dentistry and surgical care. Both local and international patients have travelled to Thailand at Bangkok International Dental Hospital (BIDH Dental Hospital) for specialized corrective jaw surgery care due to its multi-disciplinary specialist team, hospital-level patient safety standards, hospital capability and structure for advance dental treatments as well as its hospitality international patient care service. 

Multi-disciplinary Specialists Team

Treatment involves close collaboration between :
Orthodontists
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
Anesthesiologists
Diagnostic imaging specialists

Hospital-level Patient Safety Standards

Treatment involves close collaboration between :
Orthodontists
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
Anesthesiologists
Diagnostic imaging specialists

Hospital Capabilities for Advance Dental Treatments

BIDH Dental Hospital possess the hospital structure and the facility capabilities for advance dental treatments and to manage high-level oral surgeries. Hospital structure include :

  1. Advance digital dental technologies
  2. Hospital operating theatre
  3. General anesthesia (Total sleep sedation)   
Dental Technology

Advance Digital Dental Technolgoies 

Equipment and digital technologies in supporting proper diagnoses, treatment planning and actual treatment results for jaw surgery include:
  • High-resolution 3D CT Scan : shows soft tissues and nerves for surgery planning
  • Digital X-ray systems : detailed imaging of jaw olcclusion
  • Intraoral scanners : for impression-free dentistry on study models 
  • Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) : co-ordination and communication tool to on pre and post jaw surgery outcomes between doctors and with patient
  • AI-supported occlusal planning and CAD/CAM systems : to simulate treatment results and check on safe surgeries

Full Hospital Operating Theatre

Unlike standard dental clinics, BIDH dental hospital has sterile hospital-grade operating theatre. The specialized hospital uses ASA (American Standard) for its anesthesia protocols. Experienced anesthesiologist and registered nurses qualified and trained on advanced life-support systems.

Dentistry Under General Anesthesia

Sleep sedation dentistry
General anaesthesic sedation

General anesthesia (GA) is used to induce a sleep-like state, allowing patients to undergo dental procedures free from anxiety and fear. During the procedure, patients are fully unconscious in total sleep. This means they will not recall any events that occur. The anesthesia is administered through medications, along with inhalation agents delivered via the respiratory system.

Read More : Dental Sedation Solutions (Click)

International Patient Care Service

International Patient Care Service

BIDH is an international dental hospital serving patients from over 60 countries world-wide. We provide support along to patients travelling to Thailand for comprehensive dental services including:

  • English-speaking dentists and customer care staff
  • Coordination with international health insurance providers
  • Advice on travel and partner hotel arrangements

Designing an Effective Treatment Experience

At BIDH Dental Hospital, treatment is not only about results, we want our patients to feel safe, reassured and comfortable.
 
Our dedicated staff assists our patients throughout every step. Treatment rooms are spacious, modern and clean. As a one-stop dental hospital, our multidisciplinary team of consulting dentists, dental specialists are in one building.
 
BIDH is a center of excellence for advanced dental care, specially in full mouth restorative or rehabilitation treatments such as orthodontics combined with jaw surgery. The hospital provides high standards of clinical care and patient experience.
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If you have any questions or feel uncertain after orthodontic treatment combined with jaw surgery, BIDH dental team is here to provide expert guidance and support you closely at every step of your journey.

Tel. 02 115 8977

Related Sources

Contact Us – Sukhumvit Dental Hospital

Bangkok International Dental Hospital (BIDH)
98 Sukhumvit Soi 2, Khlong Toei Subdistrict, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Tel: +66 2-115-8977, +66 95-517-1587
Email: contact@dentalhospitalthailand.com
LINE ID: @DentalHospital

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Google Maps : BIDH Dental Hospital

Map & Directions to BIDH Sukhumvit

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