Corrective jaw surgery in San Diego, CA repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both so the bite fits together correctly. Also called orthognathic surgery, it corrects skeletal alignment problems that braces alone can't fix, because braces move teeth while surgery moves the bone those teeth sit in.
The most common procedures include a maxillary osteotomy (upper jaw), a mandibular osteotomy (lower jaw), genioplasty to reshape the chin, and double-jaw surgery when both need to move together. Each one is planned around your anatomy rather than a template.
Almost every case pairs surgery with orthodontics. Teeth get aligned first so they meet properly once the jaws are in their new position, then finishing orthodontics locks in the result.
Function comes first. Chewing, speech, and breathing drive the plan, and a more balanced facial profile comes along with it. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, orthognathic surgery is recommended when jaw discrepancies interfere with function and can't be corrected with braces alone.
At Radiant Smiles Dentistry, we evaluate the bite, take detailed imaging, and coordinate your treatment with a trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeon so nothing gets lost between offices. You get one plan and one team keeping track of it.
When your jaws line up, everything gets easier. Here's what patients notice most after treatment:
Patients talk most about eating without thinking about it and speaking without compensating, and that's why so many tell us they can finally smile with confidence.
Corrective jaw surgery follows six phases: evaluation and 3D imaging, pre-surgical orthodontics, virtual surgical planning, the surgery itself, initial healing, and finishing orthodontics. Start to finish, most cases run 18 to 30 months, and the surgery itself takes up only one day of that.
Your first visit includes a bite exam, photos, digital scans, and 3D CBCT imaging so we can measure exactly how the upper and lower jaws relate to each other. Digital simulation lets you see the projected outcome before anyone commits to a plan.
Braces or aligners straighten and level your teeth into the position they'll need to be in after the jaws move. This phase commonly takes 6 to 18 months, and your bite may temporarily look worse before it looks better. That's expected.
Your surgeon plans the exact bone movements on a 3D model, then custom surgical splints are fabricated to guide the jaws into place during the procedure. Planning digitally means fewer surprises in the operating room.
Performed under general anesthesia, the jaws are separated, repositioned, and secured with small titanium plates and screws. Incisions are made inside the mouth in most cases, so visible scarring is rare. Single-jaw procedures typically run 1 to 2 hours, while double-jaw surgery may take 3 to 4.
Expect the most swelling in the first week, with 1 to 2 weeks away from work or school. A soft-food diet lasts roughly 4 to 6 weeks, and full bone healing continues for 3 to 6 months.
Braces or aligners fine-tune the bite once healing allows, usually starting a few weeks after surgery. Retainers hold everything in place afterward.
Corrective jaw surgery is for patients with skeletal malocclusion, facial asymmetry, or airway problems that braces alone can't correct. If the bones themselves are the wrong size or in the wrong position, moving teeth only camouflages the issue. Surgery addresses the cause, which is why it produces stable, functional results.
Signs that point toward a surgical evaluation include:
Timing matters. The best candidates have finished growing, typically around 16 and older for females and 18 and older for males, and they have healthy gums and teeth going in. Good oral hygiene before surgery makes healing smoother afterward.
Not everyone who dislikes their bite needs surgery, and we'll tell you plainly if you don't.
Complex cases need careful planning and a team that actually talks to each other. That's the part we handle well.
Precise imaging and digital planning. Our San Diego, CA office uses digital panoramic imaging, 3D CBCT scans, and an FDA-approved decay detection camera, so surgical planning starts with real measurements instead of estimates.
Coordinated care under one plan. We work alongside your oral and maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist, tracking each phase so your treatment stays on schedule and no detail slips between offices.
Experience with related procedures. Bone grafting, ridge augmentation, tori removal, and implant site preparation are all part of our restorative work, which means we understand how surgical healing affects your long-term bite and future restorations.
Credentials you can check. Dr. Raymond Wright III, DDS earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2005, along with a BS and MS in Biological Sciences-Microbiology from Illinois State University, and completed post-graduate mentorship with two MAGD doctors. He's a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the California Dental Association, and the San Diego County Dental Society.
Comfort that isn't an afterthought. Sedation options, warm towels, Netflix, a beverage station, and clear post-op instructions you can call about anytime. Patients regularly mention when they describe visiting us.
You're fully asleep under general anesthesia during the procedure, so you won't feel anything while it's happening. Afterward, most patients describe swelling, numbness, and soreness rather than sharp pain, and prescribed medication handles it well during the first week. Numbness in the lips or chin can linger for several weeks as nerves recover.
Plan on 1 to 2 weeks away from work or school, a soft-food diet for about 6 weeks, and 3 to 6 months for the bone to fully heal. Swelling peaks around day two or three and drops noticeably by the end of week two. Light activity usually resumes within a couple of weeks, with exercise cleared later.
Often yes, when the surgery is medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic. Documented functional problems like difficulty chewing, sleep apnea, or a diagnosed skeletal deformity support coverage. Pre-authorization is almost always required, and our team helps assemble the records, imaging, and narrative your carrier asks for.
Yes, and usually in ways patients like. Moving the jaws changes the profile, the chin projection, and how the lips rest together. Digital simulation during planning lets you preview the projected change before surgery, so there are no surprises. Most people look like themselves, just more balanced.
Most patients do. Pre-surgical orthodontics positions your teeth so they fit together correctly once the jaws are moved, which is what makes the result stable. A small number of cases qualify for a surgery-first approach, and your surgical and orthodontic team will tell you if you're one of them.
Roughly 1 to 2 hours for single-jaw surgery and 3 to 4 hours for double-jaw procedures, depending on complexity and whether a genioplasty is included. Most patients stay one night in the hospital, though some single-jaw cases go home the same day.
Liquids and purées for the first week or two, then soft foods that need no chewing through about week six. Smoothies, soups, yogurt, eggs, and mashed vegetables carry most patients through. Staying nourished speeds healing, so we'll give you a practical food list before your surgery date.
If your bite has never felt right, you have options worth hearing about. Call (858) 330-7665 or schedule now to get started.
Your first visit at Radiant Smiles Dentistry includes a full exam, 3D imaging, and a straightforward conversation about what surgery would and wouldn't do for you. We'll walk through the timeline, coordinate with your surgeon, and go over insurance benefits and payment options before you decide anything.
New patients are always welcome. Our San Diego office serves 4S Ranch, Dove Canyon, and the surrounding communities.