Is Corrective Jaw Surgery Right for You?

If you’ve been told you have a misaligned jaw — or you’ve struggled for years with difficulty chewing, chronic jaw pain, sleep apnea, or an uneven bite — corrective jaw surgery (also called orthognathic surgery) may be the solution your dentist or orthodontist has been recommending. At Oral Surgery NAZ, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons serve patients throughout Flagstaff, AZ and the surrounding communities of Sedona, Prescott, Williams, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about corrective jaw surgery in Flagstaff — from candidacy and preparation to the procedure itself and recovery.

What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is a procedure that repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct skeletal misalignments that braces alone cannot fix. While orthodontics straightens the teeth, jaw surgery corrects the underlying bone structure — resulting in a properly functioning bite, improved facial symmetry, and relief from a range of chronic symptoms.

Common conditions treated with orthognathic surgery include:

• Open bite (front teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed)
• Underbite (lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw)
• Overbite (upper jaw significantly overhangs the lower jaw)
• Crossbite (upper and lower teeth don’t align properly side to side)
• Chronic jaw pain or TMJ disorders related to skeletal misalignment
• Obstructive sleep apnea caused by jaw positioning
• Facial asymmetry that affects both function and appearance

Are You a Candidate for Jaw Surgery?

Most patients who undergo corrective jaw surgery are adults whose jaws have finished growing — typically age 17 and older for women and 21 and older for men. Your oral surgeon will evaluate you using 3D imaging, dental models, and a full clinical exam to determine whether surgery is appropriate.

Strong candidates typically have one or more of the following:

• A significant bite discrepancy that braces alone can’t correct
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking due to jaw misalignment
• Sleep-disordered breathing linked to jaw position
• Chronic facial or jaw pain not relieved by conservative treatments
• A referral from an orthodontist recommending orthognathic surgery

If you’re in the Flagstaff area and wondering whether jaw surgery is the right path, we recommend scheduling a consultation at Oral Surgery NAZ. Our surgeons will review your imaging, answer your questions, and outline a clear treatment plan.

The Jaw Surgery Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

In most cases, corrective jaw surgery is part of a combined orthodontic and surgical treatment plan. Before surgery, your orthodontist will place braces (or aligners) to align the teeth within each jaw individually — this typically takes 12–18 months. This pre-surgical phase prepares your teeth to fit together properly once the jaws are surgically repositioned.

Step 2: Surgical Planning with 3D Imaging

At Oral Surgery NAZ in Flagstaff, our team uses advanced 3D imaging technology to digitally plan your jaw surgery before a single incision is made. This allows us to simulate the exact repositioning of your jaw bones, predict facial changes, and create custom surgical guides for precision outcomes.

Step 3: The Surgery Itself

Corrective jaw surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or accredited surgical facility. All incisions are made inside the mouth — meaning no visible facial scars. Depending on whether one or both jaws are being repositioned, surgery typically lasts 2–4 hours.

During the procedure, your surgeon will carefully cut and reposition the jaw bone(s), then secure them in their new position using small titanium plates and screws. These hardware pieces are biocompatible and remain in place permanently in most patients.

Step 4: Hospital Recovery

Most patients spend one to two nights in the hospital following jaw surgery. Your medical team will monitor your airway, pain levels, and swelling during this period. You’ll be on a liquid diet immediately after surgery and will receive detailed instructions for home care before discharge.

Step 5: Recovery at Home

The initial recovery period at home is typically 4–6 weeks. During this time, most patients:

• Follow a liquid or soft-food diet (no chewing for the first 6 weeks)
• Experience swelling, bruising, and numbness — all normal and expected
• Take prescribed pain medication as directed
• Avoid strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks
• Attend regular follow-up appointments in Flagstaff to monitor healing

Most patients return to desk work or school within 2–3 weeks. Full bone healing takes approximately 9–12 months, though most day-to-day function returns well before that.

Step 6: Post-Surgical Orthodontics

Once the jaws have healed enough (usually 6–8 weeks post-surgery), your orthodontist resumes treatment to fine-tune your bite. This phase typically lasts another 6–12 months. The end result: a stable, properly aligned bite that lasts a lifetime.

Risks and Considerations

Like all surgical procedures, corrective jaw surgery carries some risk. Common temporary side effects include swelling, numbness of the lips or chin (typically resolves within months), and difficulty opening the mouth wide. Serious complications such as infection, nerve injury, or the need for revision surgery are rare but possible. Your surgeon will discuss all risks during your consultation.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine whether jaw surgery is appropriate for your situation.

Why Choose Oral Surgery NAZ for Jaw Surgery in Flagstaff?

Patients from across northern Arizona — including Sedona, Prescott, Williams, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde — choose Oral Surgery NAZ for jaw surgery because of our surgeons’ advanced training and the personalized care we provide throughout every phase of treatment.

Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons completed years of hospital-based surgical residency training beyond dental school, giving them the expertise to handle complex jaw repositioning cases safely and effectively. We work closely with your orthodontist to coordinate every phase of your treatment.

We also offer a full range of related oral surgery services. If you’re evaluating your options, you may also want to read about dental implants in Flagstaff, AZ — a common follow-up procedure for patients who’ve had teeth removed as part of jaw surgery preparation. And if jaw misalignment has caused any impacted teeth, our guide on impacted tooth removal in Flagstaff, AZ covers what to expect from that related procedure.

For patients dealing with wisdom teeth issues alongside jaw misalignment, our post on wisdom teeth removal in Flagstaff, AZ is a helpful companion resource.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaw Surgery in Flagstaff

How long does corrective jaw surgery recovery take?

Most patients return to normal activity within 4–6 weeks and resume eating a regular diet within 6–8 weeks. Full skeletal healing takes 9–12 months, though you’ll feel and function normally well before then.

Is corrective jaw surgery covered by insurance?

When jaw surgery is deemed medically necessary (for functional issues like sleep apnea, bite problems, or chewing difficulty), it is often covered by medical insurance — not dental insurance. Our team at Oral Surgery NAZ can help you navigate the authorization process.

Will I need braces before jaw surgery?

In most cases, yes. Pre-surgical orthodontics typically takes 12–18 months before surgery. This is followed by a shorter post-surgical orthodontic phase. Your orthodontist and our surgeons coordinate closely throughout.

Does jaw surgery leave visible scars?

No. All incisions for corrective jaw surgery are made inside the mouth, so there are no external scars on the face or neck.

How do I get started with jaw surgery evaluation in Flagstaff?

Call Oral Surgery NAZ to schedule a consultation. You can also request a referral from your dentist or orthodontist. We see patients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Williams, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and all of northern Arizona.

Schedule Your Jaw Surgery Consultation in Flagstaff, AZ

If you or a loved one has been told you may need corrective jaw surgery, don’t wait to get an expert opinion. The board-certified surgeons at Oral Surgery NAZ in Flagstaff are here to guide you through every step — from initial evaluation to the last orthodontic adjustment.

Contact Oral Surgery NAZ today to schedule your consultation. We welcome patients from Flagstaff and all of northern Arizona, including Sedona, Prescott, Williams, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde.