Jaw Surgery

Overview

See page on types of jaw surgery for animated illustrations of how jaw surgery is performed at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic specialists have expertise and experience in correcting moderate to severe teeth and jaw disorders in children and adults. Orthognathic surgery, a combination of jaw surgery and orthodontics, can remedy "toothless" or "gummy" smiles, deficient chins, protruding underbites and overbites, and other problem areas of the face including lips, neck, nose and cheeks. Mayo Clinic treats hundreds of patients with jaw disorders every year and has one of the country's largest groups of academic surgeons (doctors who are also involved in research and the education of new providers).

Advantages

Orthognathic surgery focuses on improving the patient's appearance as well as the functionality of the jaws and teeth. Functionality is increased when teeth fit together firmly, making biting and chewing food easier. Surgery also alleviates the grinding and pressure associated with most oral disorders, and prevents further damage to the affected teeth. Having the jaws in proper alignment also reduces the chance of developing disease or deterioration in the surrounding joints. Read more about temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ).

Patients also enjoy an enhanced facial profile, since oral disorders frequently affect facial balance and aesthetics. Most cosmetic procedures can be completed during the same surgery as the jaw alignment(s).

Surgery

Depending on the needs of the patient, surgery is performed on the upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy), the lower jaw (mandibular osteotomy) or both. See types of jaw surgery. Surgery is completed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no scars on the chin, jaw or around the mouth. Learn more about jaw surgery.

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