Enhancing Your Look & Oral Health with Orthognathic Surgery

When your jaw doesn't align properly, it affects everything from how you eat to your overall sense of well-being and self-confidence. This is a more common issue than you may think; around 20% of the population has some degree of dentofacial deformity that might benefit from orthognathic treatment. 

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, stands as a powerful solution that transforms both appearance and function. Not only does this procedure improve your facial symmetry and smile, but it is also a powerful tool for addressing fundamental structural issues that can cause chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and even sleep apnea. 

If having a misaligned jaw is impacting your quality of life, orthognathic surgery offers a path to both a balanced facial profile and improved oral health that traditional orthodontic treatment alone cannot achieve. 

Continue reading to explore how orthognathic surgery works and where to find the best oral surgeon in Los Angeles. 

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure that corrects jaw misalignment by repositioning the upper and lower jaws, or both, to achieve proper function and facial balance. To achieve this, oral and maxillofacial surgeons carefully reposition the jawbones, securing them with plates and screws while they heal in their new positions. 

This treatment is designed for individuals with significant bite problems that impact their daily life, including those with underbites, overbites, open bites, or facial asymmetry where one side of the face differs from the other. 

While braces can fix tooth positioning, they can't address structural jaw problems; this is where orthognathic surgery becomes necessary. Orthodontists typically recommend this surgery when traditional orthodontic treatment alone can't solve the underlying skeletal issues, especially when these problems cause difficulty chewing, speaking, breathing, or lead to excessive tooth wear and jaw pain.

How Can Jaw Surgery Improve Facial Appearance?

When surgeons reposition the jaws, they simultaneously enhance the balance between the chin, cheeks, and jawline, creating more harmonious facial proportions: 

• A receding chin can be properly positioned
• A protruding jaw can be set back
• Asymmetrical features can be aligned

This realignment often affects the entire lower face, including the relationship between the nose and chin, as well as the appearance of the cheeks and lips. These changes frequently boost patients' self-image and confidence, as they no longer feel self-conscious about their profile. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery?

By realigning the jaws into their proper positions, orthognathic surgery creates a bite where upper and lower teeth fit together correctly, dramatically improving basic functions like: 

• Chewing food thoroughly, speaking clearly, and swallowing comfortably. 
• Those who struggle with painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders find substantial relief after surgery, as correcting jaw alignment reduces the chronic tension and strain that contributed to their discomfort. 
• The procedure also often resolves persistent teeth grinding, a condition known as bruxism, which protects teeth from excessive wear and reduces related headaches. 
• Orthognathic surgery can also open restricted airways, especially in patients whose jaw positioning contributes to obstructive sleep apnea. This improvement in breathing can lead to better sleep quality, increased daytime energy, and reduced risk of serious health complications associated with sleep-disordered breathing. 

What Is the Recovery Like After Jaw Surgery?

Recovery from orthognathic surgery is a gradual process that requires patience and careful attention to your surgeon's instructions. The initial one to two weeks are the most challenging, as patients experience swelling, bruising around the jaw and cheeks, and mild to moderate discomfort that typically peaks around the third day after surgery. 

During this early period, you'll need to rest, keep your head elevated, apply ice packs, and stick to a liquid or very soft food diet that requires no chewing. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to manage pain and prevent infection, making these symptoms quite manageable for most people. 

As swelling subsides, you'll gradually introduce softer foods like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and pasta, but complete healing of the jaw bones takes around eight to 12 weeks. Throughout this recovery journey, you'll attend regular check-ups with both your oral surgeon to monitor bone healing and your orthodontist to make any necessary adjustments to your bite alignment.

Where to Find the Best Orthognathic Surgery in Los Angeles

Balancing both aesthetics and function, corrective jaw surgery is a journey, and we’re here to walk it with you every step of the way. At Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our experienced surgeons and compassionate team specialize in orthognathic procedures that restore comfort, confidence, and long-term oral health. 

With three convenient locations in Westchester, Culver City, and Hermosa Beach, we make expert care accessible across the South Bay and West LA. Whether you're dealing with bite issues, facial asymmetry, or jaw discomfort, Dr. Lohiya, Dr. Estess, Dr. Donlevy, and Dr. Chang are ready to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and expert guidance.

Ready to improve your facial profile and improve your health with corrective jaw surgery from the best oral surgeons in Los Angeles?