Surgical Orthodontics

Surgical Orthodontics in San Diego

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery, combines braces with a jaw operation to correct severe misalignment that braces alone cannot fix. 

At Elite Orthodontics Group in San Diego, Dr. Nader Ehsani and Dr. Sherry Sabet handle the orthodontic care and coordinate closely with trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeons, who perform the surgery itself, so that function, comfort, and facial balance improve together.

Some bite problems come from the teeth, and some come from the jaws themselves. When the upper and lower jaws are significantly out of proportion, moving the teeth is only part of the answer. At Elite Orthodontics Group, we plan and manage the orthodontics around corrective jaw surgery so that severe bite and jaw issues are corrected at the source, with results that last.

What Is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics pairs orthodontic treatment with jaw surgery to correct major differences in how the upper and lower jaws line up. These differences can affect far more than a smile. 

They can make it hard to chew, speak, breathe, or sleep comfortably. By coordinating braces with surgery, the teeth and jaws are corrected together, which improves how the mouth works and brings the face into better balance.

Who May Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Jaw surgery is usually considered only when a bite or jaw difference is too severe for braces or aligners on their own. Signs that surgery may be part of the conversation include:

• Difficulty chewing or biting properly
• Chronic jaw pain or facial discomfort
• An open bite, or a severe overbite or underbite
• Noticeable facial asymmetry or imbalance
• Breathing or airway concerns
• Ongoing speech difficulties

A thorough evaluation is the only way to know whether surgery is truly needed or whether a non-surgical plan can reach your goals.

How Orthognathic Surgery Improves Function and Appearance

Corrective jaw surgery moves the jaws into proper position. Because the jaws set the foundation for the whole bite, that repositioning can dramatically improve how the teeth meet and how comfortably the mouth functions. Many patients also see a more balanced profile, since the jaws, chin, and facial features come into better proportion.

Patients often notice improvements in:

• Chewing and bite efficiency
• Speech clarity
• Breathing and airway function
• Facial symmetry and overall balance

How Surgical Treatment Is Planned

At Elite Orthodontics Group, we use advanced digital imaging and computerized planning to map every stage of a surgical case before treatment begins. That lets you see the expected functional and aesthetic results in advance, and it helps the whole team work from one precise plan. Careful planning can:

• Improve surgical precision
• Streamline the overall treatment timeline
• Support a smoother recovery
• Make the long-term result more predictable and stable

When surgery is performed, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon uses durable medical-grade materials, such as titanium plates and small screws, to hold the jaws securely in their corrected position while they heal.

What Recovery Is Like

Advances in surgical technique have shortened recovery for orthognathic surgery compared with years past. Recovery still varies from person to person, but many patients return to everyday activities sooner than they expect.

Your surgical team provides detailed guidance on aftercare, eating, and what to expect at each stage, and we continue your orthodontic care alongside that recovery.

Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives?

Sometimes, yes. Modern orthodontic techniques can correct some bite and alignment problems that once required surgery, especially when caught early. During your evaluation, Dr. Ehsani and Dr. Sabet will tell you honestly whether orthodontic treatment alone can reach your goals or whether surgery is the more dependable path to a stable, lasting result. Se habla español.

The Orthodontist’s Role in a Surgical Case

In a surgical case, the work happens in stages. First, braces align the teeth within each jaw and prepare the bite for surgery. Next, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions the jaws. Finally, we finish the orthodontics to settle the bite into its new, balanced position. Throughout, our team and your surgeon plan together, so every step builds toward the same goal.

Find Out if Surgical Orthodontics Is Right for You

If you have been told your bite or jaw difference is too significant for braces alone, a consultation will give you clear answers and a realistic plan. Conveniently located in Serra Mesa / Kearny Mesa, serving Mission Valley, La Jolla, Clairemont, and central San Diego.

> Request a consultation → Request an appointment · (858) 277-8080 · Se habla español.

Reviewed by Dr. Nader Ehsani, board-certified orthodontist (American Board of Orthodontics). Meet Dr. Ehsani.