A dental orthognathic procedure is corrective jaw surgery that aims to realign a malformed jaw and teeth to improve its overall appearance. A misaligned jaw can cause jaw pain and headaches. It can also result in physical deformities, i.e., an open bite, overbite, or underbite. It could also affect everyday actions like speaking and chewing. This condition is often caused by early trauma to the face or underlying genetic influences.

Orthognathic surgery can dramatically change one's physical appearance. It can ease discomfort, correct facial asymmetry, and improve functional actions, i.e., speech, chewing, and sleeping. The surgery repositions the jaw to correct the alignment. It is only suitable for adults with fully developed bone structures.

There are a few pre-procedure steps that most patients follow before the surgery; they often wear braces for 12-18 months before their surgery. These will be re-inserted during their recovery period until their teeth and jaw are completely healed. Patients need x-ray scans and teeth molding as part of their check-up. 

The surgery itself takes 2-5 hours under general anesthesia. The surgeon cuts the upper or lower jaw bone and repositions them to correct the bite. Upper jaw surgery is usually performed on crossbites, open bites, and protruding jaws. During this operation, the incisions are made under the eye sockets, aligning the jaw, mouth, and teeth. Lower jaw surgery targets retrusive or protrusive mandibles. In these cases, the surgeon makes the incisions behind the molars. They move the jaw, soft tissue palate, and lower teeth together. 

If a patient suffers from a narrow chin due to their receding jaw, doctors can perform a chin surgery to move the jaw forward. In some instances, extra bone tissue from the hip, leg,  or rib is needed as a graft. Once the jaw is in the desired position, small plates and screws secure the bone to keep them in place. Over time, these screws permanently fuse together with the bone. Most patients need to stay overnight in the hospital. In some cases, it could be extended to 1-2 more days for monitoring. 

Patients experience some pain, swelling, and trouble eating after their surgery, and doctors recommend avoiding smoking and exercising. Recovery can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks before patients go back to work. Six weeks after the surgery, braces are usually re-inserted to align the teeth with their new bite. Like most surgeries, the orthognathic procedure comes with its risks. These can include blood loss, infection, nerve injury, and relapse.