Recovery & Aftercare
You’ll usually stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days. During recovery:
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Expect swelling, minor discomfort, and dietary changes.
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You’ll need to eat soft foods for 6 to 12 weeks.
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Braces will remain for a few more months to fine-tune your bite.
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Most patients return to work or school within 2 to 3 weeks.
Our team provides complete aftercare, including pain management, oral hygiene instructions, and nutritional guidance.
Results You Can Expect
While every case is unique, most patients experience:
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Improved chewing and speech.
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A balanced facial profile.
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Reduced jaw pain.
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Better breathing and sleep quality.
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Greater confidence and overall quality of life.
Orthognathic Surgery
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw irregularities by repositioning the upper, lower, or both jaws into proper alignment. These adjustments are made to address problems such as:
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An underdeveloped or overdeveloped jaw.
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A receding or protruding chin.
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Crooked jaws or facial asymmetry.
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Gaps between upper and lower teeth (open bite).
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Difficulty bringing lips together.
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Mouth breathing and sleep apnea.
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Difficulty chewing, speaking, or jaw pain.
In most cases, orthodontic treatment (braces) is performed before and after surgery to optimize the final result.
At Capital Oral & Facial Surgery, we perform specialised orthognathic surgery—also known as corrective jaw surgery—to improve jaw alignment, function, and appearance.
This procedure can improve your ability to chew, speak, and breathe, while also relieving jaw pain and discomfort. It enhances facial balance and symmetry, corrects bite problems such as underbite, overbite, and open bite, and can even support better breathing for some people with sleep apnoea.
Jaw discrepancies may be present from birth, develop during growth, or result from trauma or disease. In many cases, orthodontic treatment alone cannot fully correct these issues — surgery can provide a lasting solution.
How Orthognathic Surgery Works At Capital Oral & Facial Surgery
This stage is all about gathering precise information and creating a customised treatment plan. You can expect:
Comprehensive assessment – including facial and jaw measurements, photographs, X-rays, 3D scans, and impressions or digital models of your teeth.
Bite and function analysis – to determine how your jaws and teeth currently work together and where adjustments are needed.
3D computer-assisted planning – your surgeon uses specialised software to map the exact movements of your jaws, simulate the surgery, and predict the post-surgery appearance and function.
Team consultation – your surgeon and orthodontist work together to decide the best sequence of treatment and the ideal timing for surgery. This stage ensures that by the time you reach surgery, every detail is accounted for — making your procedure as precise and predictable as possible.
Before surgery, your orthodontist will fit braces (or, in some cases, other orthodontic appliances) to align your teeth into the correct positions. This phase usually lasts 12–24 months. While it may feel counterintuitive, your teeth may seem “less straight” before surgery — this is intentional to allow your jaws to fit together properly after repositioning.
Regular orthodontic check-ups ensure your teeth are moving according to plan.
When your teeth are ready and your surgical plan is finalised, you’ll be admitted to hospital for your procedure. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, meaning you’ll be fully asleep and pain-free. Incisions are made inside your mouth to avoid visible scarring. The surgeon carefully moves the jaw(s) into the planned position. Titanium plates and screws, which remain permanently in place, are used to hold your jaw securely while the bone heals. Single jaw surgery takes approximately 1–2 hours. Double jaw surgery and take approximately 3–4 hours.
After surgery, your orthodontist will continue to adjust your braces to fine-tune your bite and ensure everything settles into its ideal position. This phase typically lasts 4–12 months.
Braces are removed once your surgeon and orthodontist are satisfied with the result. You’ll then be provided with retainers to maintain your new bite.
Risks & Possible Complications
Orthognathic surgery is generally very safe and routinely performed; however, as with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications. These may include:
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Bleeding during or after surgery.
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Infection.
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Swelling, bruising, and discomfort.
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Temporary or permanent numbness of lips, chin, cheeks, or tongue.
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Bite changes or relapse of jaw position.
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Jaw joint (TMJ) discomfort or clicking.
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Difficulty eating, speaking, or opening the mouth during early recovery.
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Damage to adjacent teeth or roots (rare).
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Need for further surgery if complications arise or adjustments are required.
Your surgeon will discuss all risks with you prior to surgery to help you make an informed decision.
