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Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, can have a big impact on your health and confidence. Many people choose it to relieve jaw pain, improve chewing or speaking, or bring balance to their facial features.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this surgery worth considering, what recovery is like, and the long-term benefits you can expect.
Table of Contents
- What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
- Life-Changing Benefits of Jaw Surgery
- Patient Story: Real-Life Results
- So, Is Jaw Surgery Worth It?
- FAQs
What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to reposition the jaws. It’s often recommended when orthodontics alone can’t correct significant bite or alignment problems.
Common reasons patients need jaw surgery include:
- Severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Open bite that prevents proper chewing
- Jaw misalignment causing TMJ pain or headaches
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, or breathing
- Facial imbalance affecting appearance and confidence
This surgery is carefully planned with orthodontists and oral surgeons using 3D imaging and digital planning to ensure precise results.
Life-Changing Benefits of Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery improves far more than just the way your teeth come together. The functional and esthetic changes can greatly improve many aspects of daily life, from how comfortably you can eat to how confident you feel in social situations. Many patients describe the difference as nothing short of transformative.
Better Function and Comfort
Living with jaw misalignment often means struggling with everyday tasks most people take for granted. After surgery, chewing becomes more efficient and less tiring, which can make meals much more enjoyable.
Speech also tends to improve when the jaw is properly aligned, especially for those who have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Perhaps most importantly, chronic jaw pain, muscle strain, and TMJ problems can often ease or disappear, giving patients long-lasting comfort.
Improved Health
Correcting jaw alignment can also support better overall health. Patients who previously struggled with obstructed airways during the day or suffered from sleep apnea at night often find it easier to breathe and feel more rested throughout the day.
Realignment also reduces the risk of excessive wear on teeth, which can prevent future dental complications. In some cases, correcting bite and jaw position can also reduce tension headaches or sinus pressure resulting from chronic misalignment.
Appearance and Confidence
The aesthetic benefits are another powerful reason many people consider corrective jaw surgery.
When the jaws are repositioned, facial proportions look more balanced and natural. This creates a smile and profile that feels harmonious and confident. The boost in self-esteem can influence both personal and professional life, making patients feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Patient Story: Real-Life Results
Hearing about the benefits of corrective jaw surgery is one thing, seeing how it transforms a person’s life makes it even more powerful.
So, Is Jaw Surgery Worth It?
Corrective jaw surgery can be life-changing, improving how you eat, speak, and feel about your smile. If you are considering surgery, meeting with an experienced oral surgeon is the best way to learn what treatment could mean for you.
Schedule a consultation with Foley & Le Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Boulder, CO to learn how jaw surgery could improve your health and quality of life.
To book an appointment, call (303) 444-2255 or visit us at 1420 28th St, Suite 100, Boulder, CO.
FAQs
Recovery times vary, but most patients heal in about 6–8 weeks. During this time, you may have some swelling and discomfort and will need to follow a soft food diet as your jaws heal. Most people return to normal activities gradually once their surgeon confirms healing is on track.
The improvements in bite function, comfort, breathing, and facial balance often outweigh the temporary challenges of surgery and recovery.
You won’t feel pain during the procedure since it is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Post-surgery soreness and swelling are expected but manageable with prescribed medication.
For some patients, repositioning the jaw opens the airway and reduces or eliminates sleep apnea symptoms.
If you are in Boulder or the surrounding areas, Foley & Le Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons provide expert care in jaw surgery and other oral surgery procedures. You can schedule a consultation at our Boulder office by calling (303) 444-2255.
