Orthognathic Surgery
Greenwich Oral Surgery stands as the regional leader in orthognathic surgery, bringing exceptional expertise to these complex procedures. Our practice serves patients from Greenwich, Westchester County, New York City, and throughout the tri-state area seeking the highest level of surgical care. We combine advanced 3D surgical planning with meticulous surgical technique, delivering transformative results for patients with jaw deformities and severe malocclusion.
Understanding Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery represents one of oral and maxillofacial surgery's most sophisticated procedures, requiring extensive planning and precise execution. This surgery corrects developmental abnormalities, congenital conditions, and acquired deformities affecting jaw position and facial structure. Patients seek orthognathic surgery to address skeletal and functional concerns that impact both oral health and quality of life. Common conditions include significant jaw misalignment affecting chewing efficiency, breathing difficulties related to skeletal structure, and facial asymmetry from uneven jaw development. The procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals with severe bite problems that orthodontics alone cannot resolve.
Conditions Treated with Orthognathic Surgery
Various skeletal discrepancies and functional problems benefit from orthognathic surgery, including difficulty chewing, chronic jaw pain, speech problems, and self-consciousness about facial appearance. Orthognathic surgery addresses all these concerns simultaneously. Common indications include Class II malocclusion (overbite) where the lower jaw sits too far back, Class III malocclusion (underbite) with the lower jaw protruding forward, open bite preventing the front teeth from touching when the jaws close, asymmetric jaw growth creating facial imbalance, sleep apnea resulting from jaw position affecting airway space, and TMJ disorders caused by severe jaw misalignment. By repositioning the jaws into proper alignment, the procedure improves bite function, enhances facial balance, and can resolve associated issues such as temporomandibular joint problems and obstructive sleep apnea in select cases.
The Comprehensive Treatment Process
Orthognathic surgery follows a meticulously planned treatment sequence that typically spans several months from initial consultation to final results. The process begins with comprehensive diagnostic evaluation including detailed imaging, dental impressions, and facial analysis to determine the precise nature and extent of skeletal discrepancies. Advanced technology enables surgeons to create detailed treatment plans that predict outcomes and guide surgical execution. Pre-surgical orthodontics plays a critical role in preparing patients for jaw repositioning, aligning teeth within their respective jaw bones to create the foundation for optimal surgical correction. The surgical procedure involves carefully repositioning jaw bones to optimal positions, secured with titanium plates and screws that allow immediate function while the bones heal. Surgeons access the jaw bones through intraoral incisions when possible, minimizing visible scarring. Post-surgical recovery requires careful monitoring as bones heal, with graduated diet modifications and follow-up orthodontic treatment to fine-tune the bite relationship for long-term stability.
Contact the office nearest you to learn whether corrective jaw surgery is right for you.
Why Choose Greenwich Oral Surgery for Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery requires specialized training, advanced technology, and meticulous surgical planning to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Our board-certified surgeons combine elite academic credentials with cutting-edge 3D surgical planning to deliver the highest standard of corrective jaw surgery care in the Greenwich area.
Advanced Surgical Technology
Initial consultation includes comprehensive examination, facial photographs, dental impressions, and radiographic imaging. We use 3D cone beam CT scanning to create detailed surgical plans, virtually performing surgery before the actual procedure. Pre-surgical orthodontics, typically lasting 12-18 months, aligns teeth within each jaw in preparation for surgical repositioning. Virtual surgical planning shows predicted outcomes so you can visualize your results before surgery begins, and computer-guided techniques enable precise bone repositioning, improving accuracy and reducing operative time.
Elite Surgical Training
Our surgeons completed six-year hospital-based oral and maxillofacial surgery residencies at Columbia University and other leading medical centers, including specialized training in orthognathic surgery techniques. With dual MD/DDS degrees from Harvard and Columbia Universities, our team brings comprehensive medical and surgical expertise to complex jaw surgery cases. This advanced training includes rotations at major trauma centers and mentorship with preeminent orthognathic surgeons, providing experience with thousands of successful jaw surgery procedures and expertise managing even the most challenging cases.
Comprehensive Treatment Planning
Orthognathic surgery requires careful coordination between your oral surgeon and orthodontist throughout treatment. We work closely with your orthodontist from initial evaluation through final refinement, ensuring seamless collaboration at every stage. Our surgeons take time to understand your functional concerns and aesthetic goals, creating personalized treatment plans that address both bite function and facial balance. Detailed pre-operative consultations explain the entire process, expected timeline, and predicted outcomes so you feel informed and confident about your surgical journey.
Schedule Your Orthognathic Surgery Consultation Today
While improved appearance motivates many patients, orthognathic surgery's functional benefits often prove even more life-changing. Understanding these improvements helps appreciate the procedure's comprehensive impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orthognathic surgery is a life-changing procedure that corrects jaw alignment and improves both function and appearance. Understanding the process, timeline, and what to expect helps you make informed decisions about your care.
What Conditions Does Orthognathic Surgery Treat?
Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw misalignment that cannot be addressed with orthodontics alone. This includes severe underbites or overbites, open bites where teeth don't meet properly, facial asymmetry from uneven jaw growth, difficulty chewing or biting food, chronic jaw pain or TMJ disorders, sleep apnea caused by jaw position, and speech difficulties related to jaw alignment. The surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to improve bite function, facial balance, and breathing. Many patients also experience significant aesthetic improvements in their facial profile and symmetry.
How Long Does the Entire Treatment Process Take?
The complete orthognathic surgery process typically spans 18-24 months from initial consultation to final results. Pre-surgical orthodontics usually takes 12-18 months to align teeth within each jaw in preparation for surgery. The surgical procedure itself lasts 2-4 hours depending on complexity. Initial recovery requires 2-3 weeks before returning to work or school, with complete bone healing over 6-8 weeks. Post-surgical orthodontics for final refinement typically takes 6-12 months. While this seems lengthy, the comprehensive approach ensures optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes that last a lifetime.
What Is Recovery Like After Jaw Surgery?
Expect significant facial swelling and bruising during the first week, which gradually subsides over 2-3 weeks. You'll follow a liquid diet initially, progressing to soft foods over several weeks as healing allows. Most patients return to work or school within 2-3 weeks, though strenuous activity should be avoided for 6-8 weeks. Pain is typically well-managed with prescribed medications. Your jaws may be wired or banded together temporarily to maintain proper positioning during initial healing. Follow-up appointments monitor healing progress and adjust orthodontic treatment as needed. Complete bone healing and final aesthetic results become apparent over several months.
Is Orthognathic Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Many orthognathic surgery cases are covered by medical insurance when the procedure is deemed medically necessary to correct functional problems like difficulty chewing, breathing issues, or sleep apnea. Coverage typically requires documentation of medical necessity and pre-authorization, which can take 6-8 weeks. Purely aesthetic jaw surgery is generally not covered. Our team works with your insurance company to verify benefits, obtain pre-authorization, and maximize your coverage. We provide detailed cost estimates showing expected insurance coverage and your out-of-pocket expenses before scheduling surgery.
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Our Locations
We're proud to serve patients throughout the tri-state area with multiple convenient locations across Connecticut and New York. Our flagship practice in Greenwich, Connecticut features brand-new, state-of-the-art surgical suites. We also maintain offices in Darien and Westport, Connecticut, and Purchase, New York, ensuring accessible, premium oral and maxillofacial surgery services for patients throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties.
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Greenwich
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Westchester
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Darien
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