Surgical Orthodontics and Jaw Surgery in Northbrook, IL

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, corrects bite problems caused by the position of the jaws rather than the position of the teeth. It is a two-part treatment: an oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgery, and Drs. Kyint and Evan Chwa handle the orthodontic work before and after. Most cases are adults whose jaw growth has finished.

Very few patients need this. When a case does, though, it is because no amount of tooth movement will fix the underlying problem, and knowing that early saves years of the wrong treatment.

When Is Jaw Surgery Actually Needed?

Braces move teeth within the jaws. They cannot move the jaws themselves. So when the upper and lower jaws sit in the wrong relationship to each other, there is a limit to what orthodontics alone can achieve.

Surgery may be part of the plan when:

  • The bite cannot be corrected with braces or aligners alone
  • One jaw is noticeably forward or back of the other, or the face is asymmetric
  • Chewing, biting or speaking is difficult
  • The upper and lower front teeth cannot meet, as in a severe open bite
  • Breathing problems, including sleep apnea, are linked to jaw position

Timing matters. Surgery is normally done after jaw growth is complete, typically around age sixteen in females and eighteen in males. In a growing child, some of these same problems can be steered with growth-guiding appliances instead, which is one of the strongest arguments for the age seven evaluation.

Who Does What

Your orthodontist. We diagnose the case, decide with you whether surgery is warranted, and run the orthodontic phases. That means aligning the teeth beforehand, which typically takes twelve to eighteen months and often makes the bite look temporarily worse before surgery corrects it. Afterwards, we fine-tune the bite into its final position.

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. They perform the operation. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the recognized dental specialties, requiring years of hospital-based residency training on the mouth, jaw, face and skull. We coordinate directly with the surgeon on planning and imaging throughout.

The plan is built jointly before anything begins.

What the Process Looks Like

Diagnosis and planning. Records, imaging and a joint plan agreed between our practice and the surgeon.

Pre-surgical orthodontics. Braces or aligners for roughly twelve to eighteen months, positioning the teeth so they will fit together correctly once the jaws are moved.

Surgery. Performed by the surgeon, usually in a hospital. Depending on the case this may involve moving the lower jaw forward or back, repositioning the upper jaw, adding or removing bone, or adjusting the chin.

Initial recovery. About two weeks of rest, with fuller healing over four to eight weeks. Most patients return to work or school before healing is complete.

Finishing orthodontics. Six to twelve months of final bite refinement with us once the jaw has healed.

Retention. A retainer to hold the result, as with any orthodontic treatment.

Related Conditions We Coordinate

Impacted canines. A canine that fails to erupt may need surgical exposure, after which we bond a bracket and guide it into place. This is common and much less involved than jaw surgery.

Wisdom teeth. Often removed in young adulthood when they are impacted. Removal is done by a surgeon or your dentist; we advise on timing where it interacts with your treatment.

Cleft palate. Care runs across several specialties over many years, and orthodontic treatment is one part of a coordinated plan.

Jaw joint problems. Where TMJ symptoms are related to bite position, we evaluate the orthodontic contribution and coordinate with the appropriate specialist. Not every jaw problem is an orthodontic one, and we will say so.

Risks, and Whether It Is Worth It

Orthognathic surgery is major surgery. It carries real risks, and it involves a recovery period that is disruptive for a few weeks.

It is also a well-established procedure with a long track record, and for the right patient the results are substantial: a bite that works, easier chewing and speech, better facial balance, and in some cases better breathing. What we can do is give you a clear assessment of whether your case needs it, and make sure you meet the surgeon and get your questions answered before committing to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaw Surgery

No. The surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Your orthodontist diagnoses the case, plans it jointly with the surgeon, and handles the tooth movement before and after.

Usually after jaw growth is complete, around age sixteen in females and eighteen in males. Operating before growth finishes risks the correction being undone as the jaw continues to develop.

Almost always. Pre-surgical orthodontics positions the teeth so the jaws can be moved into a bite that actually fits, and post-surgical orthodontics finishes the detail. The braces phase is the longest part of the whole process.

Often it is treated as a medical rather than a dental claim, because it corrects a functional problem. Coverage varies a great deal by plan, and it usually requires documentation of the functional impairment. We and the surgeon’s office will help assemble that.

Find Out Whether Surgery Is Part of Your Case

Most patients who worry about this turn out not to need it. The way to know is a proper diagnosis. Your first consultation is complimentary and no referral is needed. Call or text (847) 272-0600 or request an appointment online.