Oral & Facial Surgery Institute of Houston
Corrective Jaw Surgery in Houston
Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, may be considered when the position of the jaws causes a bite or function problem that orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct. Dr. L.T. Johnson evaluates the surgical side of care and coordinates with your orthodontist.
When an evaluation may help
Bite problems
A significant overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite may reflect the position of the jaws as well as the teeth. A coordinated assessment clarifies which treatment options are appropriate.
Chewing or speech concerns
Jaw position can affect function. We review symptoms and records to understand whether a skeletal discrepancy is involved.
Facial balance
Jaw size or position can contribute to asymmetry. Any treatment plan should consider function, appearance, and your goals together.
Airway concerns in selected cases
Some patients with diagnosed breathing or sleep concerns may be evaluated for jaw surgery as part of a broader care plan. Surgery is not an automatic recommendation.
How a coordinated plan works
- Evaluation: Dr. Johnson reviews your goals, facial skeleton, bite, tooth relationships, medical history, and imaging, often including CT. The assessment helps distinguish problems that orthodontics alone may address from those that may need combined orthodontic and surgical care.
- Orthodontic planning: Dr. Johnson discusses your goals with your orthodontist so the tooth movements and proposed jaw position work together.
- Surgical planning: If surgery is recommended, virtual surgical planning models the proposed jaw movements, bite, and hardware placement before treatment. The plan is reviewed with you, including anesthesia, hospital setting, benefits, risks, and recovery. A digital model cannot guarantee a particular result.
- Healing and finishing: Follow-up and orthodontic adjustments continue according to the individual plan.
Recovery and eating after jaw surgery
Dr. Johnson generally asks patients to plan for about seven to ten days of initial recovery as swelling and discomfort improve. Bone healing takes longer. A soft or no-chew diet is commonly required for about six weeks, with diet changes directed by the surgical team. Your own timeline, follow-up, and any need for jaw fixation depend on the operation and healing.
Is jaw surgery right for you?
Many bite concerns can be treated without surgery. A consultation helps distinguish tooth-position problems from jaw-position problems and compare realistic options. Timing, recovery, and costs vary by case.
This page is general information. It cannot determine candidacy or promise a particular functional or cosmetic result without an examination.