Orthognathic Surgery — Before & After
Surgical repositioning of the upper and lower jaws to correct skeletal discrepancies.
Real orthognathic surgery photos coming soon
We're curating consented, licensed before-and-after images for Orthognathic Surgery. Until they're live, this page covers the technique, recovery, cost, and what to expect.
What is orthognathic surgery?
Surgical repositioning of the upper and lower jaws to correct skeletal discrepancies.
Also known as jaw surgery, double jaw surgery, bsso, le fort.
Orthognathic Surgery by topic
Information pages — cost, recovery, surgeons, and more
Orthognathic Surgery by recovery timeline
How the result evolves over time
Orthognathic Surgery by demographic
Age and gender breakdowns of common candidates
Orthognathic Surgery by ethnicity
Anatomical and aesthetic considerations across patient backgrounds
Orthognathic Surgery by outcome reality
Range of results — from natural to cautionary
Orthognathic Surgery by where it's performed
Regional approaches and aesthetic preferences
Frequently asked
How much does jaw surgery cost?
Single-jaw $20,000–$40,000. Double-jaw $40,000–$70,000. Functional cases often partially insurance-covered. Pre/post orthodontics adds $5,000–$10,000.
Will insurance cover orthognathic surgery?
When the case is functional — documented Class II/III malocclusion, severe sleep apnea responsive to MMA, severe TMJ — major insurers often cover. Pre-auth requires cephalometric analysis, ortho records, and (for sleep cases) sleep studies. Cosmetic-only cases are not covered.
How long is orthognathic surgery recovery?
1–3 day hospital stay. Liquid diet 2 weeks → soft 4–6 weeks → solid 6–8 weeks. Most return to desk work week 3–4. Final result and bite stability at 6–12 months. Numbness persists for months.
Will my face change after jaw surgery?
Significantly — that's the point. Profile, smile, chin projection, and lip position all change. Many patients also see improvements in breathing and chewing function. Cephalometric simulation pre-op should give you a realistic preview.
Is jaw surgery safer than it used to be?
Yes — modern rigid plate fixation eliminates jaw wiring (intermaxillary fixation) for most cases. Recovery is dramatically less restrictive than the wired-jaw image still associated with the procedure.