Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a transformative procedure aimed at improving the alignment of your jaws. At Gateway Surgery, Dr. Mather works in collaboration with your orthodontist to realign your teeth and correct skeletal irregularities of the jaw and face.

The surgery aims to improve the function and appearance of the jaw, teeth, and your overall facial structure. These surgeries may be required when one or both jaws do not grow at the same rate and the teeth do not fit together in a proper bite. These discrepancies can lead to problems with chewing, speech disturbances, mouth breathing, and/or concerns with facial appearance.

How Can Orthognathic Surgery Benefit You?

Whether it’s a misaligned bite, a crooked or protruding jaw, an open bite, or jaw asymmetry, Dr. Mather is skilled in the treatment of craniofacial deformities. Working as part of a collaborative team, he addresses these underlying issues and helps bring harmony back to your facial structure.

Conditions that may necessitate corrective jaw surgery include:

Eat with Ease

Bid farewell to difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing and enjoy your favorite foods without any hindrance.

Sleep Better

Get rid of sleep apnea caused by your jaw misalignment, so that you can finally get a good night’s sleep.

Protect Your Teeth

No more excessive teeth wear due to your misaligned bite.

Relief from Headaches

Headaches caused by your jaw issues will also be a thing of the past.

Restore Facial Function

We’ve got the tools to restore your facial harmony and function.

Alleviate Chronic TMJ Pain

TMJ pain caused by your jaw misalignment will no longer be a burden.

Dr. Mather is a board-certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with many years of experience performing jaw surgeries.

Corrective jaw surgery requires extensive surgical skill and expertise to ensure precise results that restore both the form and function of the mouth, teeth, and jaw. Dr. Mather has performed countless orthognathic surgeries with outstanding outcomes for his patients.

Understanding The Orthognathic Surgery Process

1

Preparation

This transformative procedure requires extensive preparation over several months (up to two years).
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your jaw concerns and treatment objectives with your doctor.
A comprehensive evaluation, including a review of your medical history, an oral examination, and essential imaging, will be conducted to create a customized and ideal treatment plan.

2

Surgical Procedure

On the day of your surgery, you will first meet the anesthetist who will bring you to the operating room and guide you through the process over the next few hours.
The surgery will be performed in a hospital setting, typically lasting from 1 to 4 hours, and is often done under
general anesthesia.
When you wake up from your jaw surgery, your teeth may be held together with small elastics, just to help your jaws align properly. These elastics, if present, will be changed after the first week.
Depending on whether both or only one jaw has undergone operation, hospital stays typically range from 1 to 3 days.

3

Recovery

The recovery phase following orthognathic surgery is the most significant.
After surgery, patients typically require a recovery period of 2 weeks to 1 month, during which they may need to take time off work or school.
Returning to normal chewing function may take approximately 2 months, while full function may take up to a year.
Our priority is to ensure you receive excellent care throughout the entire surgical journey. Weekly appointments will be scheduled for up to 2 months post-surgery to monitor your progress and provide necessary support.

Orthognathic surgery represents a transformative solution, not only addressing functional concerns but also significantly improving facial aesthetics, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for our patients. If you want to learn more about corrective jaw surgery, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mather.