Jaw Reconstruction, or orthognathic surgery, is a corrective form of oral and maxillofacial surgery that is used to repair a wide range of dental irregularities and facial skeletal misalignments. Candidates for jaw reconstruction are most often those with an improper bite due to jaw misalignment or those suffering from poor jaw alignment due to injury and/or birth defects.

Jaw reconstruction is able to correct common forms of jaw misalignment including an open bite, a protruding lower jaw, and a receding lower jaw or “weak chin”.

Jaw reconstructive surgery may be performed in-office under a local anesthesia or in a hospital, depending on the severity of the procedure. Any pain or discomfort following the procedure will be managed with pain medication prescribed by Dr. Hiranaka. Initial recovery may take anywhere from one to six weeks, however patients are typically able to return to work or school sometime within the first two weeks. Full recovery will take anywhere between nine to twelve months depending on the type and magnitude of the surgical procedure performed.

Possible Indications

• Symptoms that may indicate the need for jaw reconstruction include:
• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
• Excessive wear of the teeth
• Inability to make the lips meet without straining
• Chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
• Sleep apnea