​​​​​​​Orthognathic Surgery

When your teeth don’t come together correctly and braces alone can’t fix it, the underlying issue is often structural — a mismatch in the bones of your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, addresses those skeletal irregularities directly. It is recommended when jaw misalignment is severe enough to cause difficulty chewing, breathing problems, chronic jaw pain, or facial asymmetry that orthodontics cannot resolve on its own. For many patients, it is also the most effective long-term solution for obstructive sleep apnea linked to jaw position — a connection that is often overlooked until symptoms become serious.

At Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center, our board-certified surgeons bring extensive experience in orthognathic and corrective jaw surgery to patients throughout West Los Angeles. Learn more about our full range of procedures and what sets our surgical approach apart. Dr. Jonathan Shadi earned his B.S. in Neuroscience from UCLA and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at UCSF-Fresno, developing a strong foundation in jaw correction and facial harmony. Dr. Saman Vahedi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons with extensive training that includes facial trauma, orthognathic surgery, and complex implant cases. Together, they provide individualized treatment that accounts for both function and the way changes will affect your overall facial appearance.

How Jaw Misalignment Develops and Why Surgery May Be Needed

Jaw misalignment can develop from a variety of causes — genetics, uneven growth patterns during development, facial trauma, or conditions present at birth. In many cases, patients are referred to an orthodontist first, and braces or clear aligners may improve the position of the teeth. But when the jaws themselves are not in balance, tooth movement alone cannot produce a stable bite. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons notes that orthognathic surgery is indicated when skeletal discrepancies exceed the thresholds that orthodontics can compensate for — including significant overbites, underbites, open bites, crossbites, and vertical or transverse skeletal deformities (AAOMS Clinical Papers, 2023).

In Los Angeles, access to both excellent orthodontic care and oral surgery services makes coordinated treatment more accessible than in many parts of the country. Our office works closely with referring orthodontists throughout the West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Century City corridors to make the coordination process as smooth as possible for patients and providers alike. If you have already begun orthodontic treatment and your orthodontist has recommended a surgical consultation, we encourage you to reach out to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.

Conditions Corrective Jaw Surgery Can Address

Corrective jaw surgery may be recommended for patients dealing with one or more of the following:

Many patients pursue corrective jaw surgery not only to resolve functional problems but to achieve greater facial harmony as well. Both outcomes are addressed as part of your individualized treatment plan.

How Our Office Coordinates with Your Orthodontist

Corrective jaw surgery is always a team effort. The most predictable outcomes come from close collaboration between the oral surgeon and the treating orthodontist — and that coordination begins well before the day of surgery. Our office works directly with your orthodontist to collect and review diagnostic records, including panoramic x-rays, cephalometric x-rays, cone beam 3D imaging (CBCT), dental models, and facial measurements. This data forms the foundation of your surgical treatment plan. Visit our cone beam 3D imaging page to learn more about how we use this technology in surgical planning.

Before surgery is scheduled, orthodontic braces are typically placed to position the teeth into alignment with where the jaws will land after surgery. This phase may last anywhere from several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the case. During this time, our office stays in regular communication with your orthodontist to monitor progress and confirm timing. Once the pre-surgical orthodontic phase is complete, updated records are taken and the surgical plan is finalized.

For referring orthodontists, our office provides a streamlined coordination process with direct communication, shared imaging, and clear documentation at each stage. We recognize how important the orthodontist-surgeon relationship is to the overall result, and we treat every referral as a partnership. Orthodontists can visit our Referring Doctors page to learn more about working with our practice.

What to Expect During the Surgical Process

Corrective jaw surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital setting. Using our advanced 3D imaging technology, our surgeons plan the precise repositioning of the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both before the procedure begins. Incisions are made inside the mouth wherever possible to avoid visible scarring on the face. The jaw segments are then moved and secured in their new positions using small surgical plates and screws.

Depending on the scope of surgery, most patients spend one night in the hospital for observation. Recovery typically involves a modified diet for the first several weeks as the jaws heal. Most patients can return to non-strenuous work or school within one to three weeks. Full bone healing generally takes several months, and post-surgical orthodontic fine-tuning continues during this period to achieve the final bite. Our team will walk you through post-operative care in detail, and our post-operative instructions are available online as a reference. We utilize the latest surgical techniques aimed at minimizing discomfort and supporting faster recovery.

If IV sedation and general anesthesia is a concern for you, our board-certified surgeons are trained to administer and manage anesthesia safely. We will review your medical history and anesthesia options thoroughly during the consultation process.

Is Corrective Jaw Surgery Right for You

The best candidates for orthognathic surgery are adults whose jaws have finished growing — typically after age 17 for women and somewhat later for men. Adolescents may be evaluated earlier in select cases. You may be a candidate if your orthodontist has identified a bite problem they cannot fully correct with braces alone, or if you have been experiencing chronic jaw pain, breathing difficulties, or persistent difficulty chewing that has not responded to conservative treatment.

At your consultation, our team will perform a thorough clinical examination and review all imaging to determine whether corrective jaw surgery is appropriate for your situation. We take the time to explain every aspect of the recommended procedure, along with the realistic benefits, risks, and alternatives — so you can make the most informed decision possible. One of our treatment coordinators will also discuss insurance coordination and payment options, as orthognathic surgery is frequently covered under medical insurance when functional indications are documented. Learn more about our insurance and financing options.