Corrective Jaw Surgery in West Harrison NY

Serving Scarsdale, White Plains and surrounding communities!

Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is a surgical procedure that corrects misalignments of the jaws and teeth. These misalignments can affect chewing, speaking, breathing, and overall facial appearance. While braces or Invisalign can straighten teeth, jaw surgery addresses underlying skeletal issues that cannot be corrected through orthodontics alone.

Orthognathic surgery is performed in collaboration with your orthodontist, who prepares the teeth with braces or aligners before and after the surgery to ensure the best possible result. The goal is to align the jaws properly, improve function, and enhance facial symmetry.

Signs You May Need Corrective Jaw Surgery

Patients who may need jaw repositioning surgery may experience one or more of the following:

• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Chronic jaw pain or headaches
• Speech difficulties
• Breathing problems, including sleep apnea
• Facial asymmetry or an unbalanced appearance
• Open bite (the teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed)
• Jaw shifting, clicking, or locking
• If you have undergone orthodontic treatment without full resolution of your issues, including bite correction, orthognathic surgery may be needed to complete the work begun with orthodontic treatment.

How Corrective Jaw Surgery Works

Corrective jaw surgery typically involves our surgeons working closely with your orthodontist to ensure the process fully addresses the complex issues of your jaw and dental issues. While every procedure is unique, most follow the following basic outline:

• Orthodontic preparation: Braces or clear aligners move teeth into their new positions in preparation for surgery.
• Surgical procedure: We perform orthognathic surgery under general anesthesia. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both. In some cases, the chin may also be reshaped.
• Stabilization: The jaws are stabilized using small plates and screws that remain in place permanently.
• Recovery and follow-up: Recovery takes several weeks, with most patients returning to normal activities within 2–6 weeks and complete healing over several months.
• This coordinated approach ensures proper bite alignment and long-term functional and aesthetic benefits.

Why Choose Facial & Oral Surgery Specialists for Jaw Repositioning Surgery?

At Facial & Oral Surgery Specialists, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons combine advanced training, leading-edge technology, and compassionate care throughout a complex, multi-phase procedure. We:

• Work closely with your orthodontist to ensure seamless, comprehensive treatment
• Use 3D imaging and digital planning for precision and safety
• Prioritize patient comfort and clear communication at every step
• Provide personalized recovery plans and attentive post-operative care

Corrective Jaw Surgery FAQs

Is jaw surgery painful?

Discomfort is common in the first few days after surgery, but most patients are surprised by how manageable the pain is. We provide pain medication and detailed instructions to keep you comfortable during recovery.

Is my jaw wired shut after corrective jaw surgery?

No. Orthognathic surgery has advanced dramatically in recent years. In most cases, you can open your mouth some, although we ask that you limit movement during the first few weeks.

What can I eat after corrective jaw surgery?

Patients are on a pureed diet for the first month, a soft diet for months 2-3, and return to normal chewing by the third month.

How long will I be off work or out of school?

Most patients need 2-4 weeks off before returning to work or school.

What are the risks of orthognathic surgery?

As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, nerve injury, or relapse of the jaw position. However, these risks are low when our experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform the procedure.

How long is recovery after orthognathic surgery?

Initial healing takes about 2–3 weeks, during which patients follow a soft-food diet and limit strenuous activity. Full recovery, including orthodontic completion, may take 9–12 months. We guide you through every phase with regular check-ins and support.

If you suspect you may benefit from corrective jaw surgery, schedule a consultation with Facial & Oral Surgery Specialists at West Harrison Office Phone Number 914-500-8985. We’ll evaluate your needs, coordinate care with your orthodontist, and help you achieve long-lasting results.

What to Expect

• Corrective jaw surgery sometimes requires months of preparation to coordinate with your orthodontist and primary care team.
• The surgery is performed in our outpatient ambulatory surgical center or in the hospital and can last between two to five hours on average.
• Patients sometimes require hospital stays of one to three days.
• Braces or Invisalign are sometimes maintained during surgery and may need to be removed six to twelve months after surgery.
• The greatest impact of orthognathic surgery is the recovery phase.
• Patients typically may be off work/school from two weeks to one month after surgery.
• Return to normal chewing function may take 2 months and full function may take one year.
• Our goal is to ensure you are well taken care of during and after surgery.
• Weekly appointments are required for up to two months after surgery.

 BEFORE
Patient with hypoplastic upper and lower jaw and receded chin

 AFTER

Immediate post-op result with improvement of appearance and function and adequate proportions

Videos from Facial and Oral Surgery Specialists

Airway: Corrective Jaw Surgery or Jaw Repositioning Surgery can have drastic benefits for the airway. In addition to producing dramatic changes to the person’s appearance and overall function, the airway changes are immediate. In this video, two scans taken about 2 weeks apart show that the Posterior Airway Space (PAS) has more then doubled ! The patient still has some post-operative swelling therefore the PAS is expected to improve even more.

Some Benefits of Treating OSA :
Decreased Sleepiness (more energy)
Improved Quality of Life
Decreased cardiovascular risk (better heart function)
Improved neurocognitive performance (better brain function)