For a small proportion of patients seeking orthodontic treatment, braces or aligners alone cannot fully correct the problem. When the issue is not just the position of the teeth but the underlying relationship between the upper and lower jaws, orthodontic appliances can move teeth but cannot change the bone they sit in. This is where orthognathic surgery — often called jaw surgery — comes in. It is one of the most transformative treatments in dentistry, capable of correcting severe bite problems, improving facial balance, and resolving functional difficulties that orthodontics alone cannot address. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. This guide explains what orthognathic surgery is, who needs it, what the treatment process involves, and what to expect before and after surgery — so you can understand whether it might be relevant to your situation and ask the right questions if it is. Key takeaway Orthognathic surgery is appropriate when a patient has a jaw discrepancy — a significant difference in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws — that cannot be adequately corrected by orthodontic tooth movement alone. It is not cosmetic surgery (though it often has significant aesthetic benefits): it is functional corrective surgery, typically funded by the NHS for eligible patients, performed by a maxillofacial surgeon in collaboration with a specialist orthodontist. The treatment process involves pre-surgical orthodontics, surgery, and post-surgical orthodontics — typically spanning 18 to 30 months in total. Most patients describe the outcome as one of the most significant improvements to their quality of life they have experienced. Orthognathic surgery (from the Greek: orthos = straight, gnathos = jaw) is surgical repositioning of the upper jaw (maxilla), the lower jaw (mandible), or both. The surgery is performed by a maxillofacial or oral surgeon under general anaesthetic, and involves cutting the jaw bone, repositioning it into the planned correct position, and fixing it there with titanium plates and screws. The procedure is always planned and coordinated with specialist orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment before and after surgery is an essential part of the process — it is not a surgery you can have in isolation. Wondering whether your bite problem could be treated with orthodontics alone? A virtual assessment from a specialist orthodontist can give you a personalised view of your treatment options before you commit to any consultation. Start your free assessment → Phase 1: Assessment and planning Phase 2: Pre-surgical orthodontics Phase 3: Surgery Phase 4: Post-surgical orthodontics Yes — orthognathic surgery is one of the few adult orthodontic treatments that can be funded by the NHS. It is commissioned as a combined orthodontic and surgical package for patients who meet the clinical criteria. NHS funding is typically available when the jaw discrepancy is causing or likely to cause functional problems — difficulties with biting, chewing, speech, or breathing — and when the severity of the problem is beyond what orthodontics alone can address. Access is through referral, usually from a GDP (general dentist) to an NHS specialist orthodontist, who then coordinates with the maxillofacial surgery service. Not all areas have an NHS orthognathic service with short waiting times — waiting lists for NHS jaw surgery can be significant in some regions. Important Orthognathic surgery is a major surgical procedure that should only be considered when the clinical indication is clear and when the patient has been fully informed of the risks, benefits, and realistic expectations for the outcome. Key risks include temporary or (rarely) permanent numbness in areas of the face supplied by the nerves adjacent to the surgical sites, the possibility of needing minor revision surgery, and the time commitment of the full treatment process. For patients with the right clinical indication, however, it is a highly predictable procedure with a very high patient satisfaction rate. Always ensure your treatment is delivered by an experienced team where the orthodontist and surgeon regularly work together on these cases. Not Sure Whether Your Bite Needs Surgery or Braces? A virtual assessment from a specialist orthodontist is the best place to start — they can tell you whether your case is suitable for orthodontics alone or whether a combined approach is likely to be discussed at a face-to-face consultation.What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
What Problems Does Jaw Surgery Correct?
The Orthognathic Treatment Process: Step by Step
Is Orthognathic Surgery Available on the NHS?
Recovery: What to Expect
Jaw Surgery and Orthodontics: What Is Orthognathic Surgery and Who Needs It?
Published · 7 min read · by Virtual Consultant Online
Citation and AI access
Canonical URL: https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/blog/orthognathic-surgery-uk
Clean text: /page-text?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.virtualconsultant.online%2Fblog%2Forthognathic-surgery-uk
Citation metadata: /citation.json?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.virtualconsultant.online%2Fblog%2Forthognathic-surgery-uk
References
BOS patient information on orthognathic (jaw) surgery, covering the clinical indications for combined orthodontic and surgical treatment, the treatment process from pre-surgical orthodontics through surgery and post-surgical refinement, what patients can expect during recovery, and the NHS pathway for accessing orthognathic treatment in the UK.
British Orthodontic Society — Orthognathic surgery: patient informationBAOMS patient guide on orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, including the types of jaw discrepancy treated surgically, the combined orthodontic and surgical treatment pathway, what happens during surgery, the expected recovery timeline, the risks and complications of orthognathic procedures, and guidance on NHS versus private access.
British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons — Orthognathic surgery: patient guideResearch on patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures following orthognathic surgery, covering functional improvements in chewing, breathing, and speech, aesthetic satisfaction with facial changes, psychological wellbeing outcomes, and the proportion of patients who report the treatment as having significantly improved their quality of life.
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — Patient satisfaction and quality of life outcomes following orthognathic surgeryBOS patient information on orthognathic (jaw) surgery, covering the clinical indications for combined orthodontic and surgical treatment, the treatment process from pre-surgical orthodontics through surgery and post-surgical refinement, what patients can expect during recovery, and the NHS pathway for accessing orthognathic treatment in the UK.
British Orthodontic Society — Orthognathic surgery: patient informationBAOMS patient guide on orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, including the types of jaw discrepancy treated surgically, the combined orthodontic and surgical treatment pathway, what happens during surgery, the expected recovery timeline, the risks and complications of orthognathic procedures, and guidance on NHS versus private access.
British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons — Orthognathic surgery: patient guideResearch on patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures following orthognathic surgery, covering functional improvements in chewing, breathing, and speech, aesthetic satisfaction with facial changes, psychological wellbeing outcomes, and the proportion of patients who report the treatment as having significantly improved their quality of life.
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — Patient satisfaction and quality of life outcomes following orthognathic surgery