If your teeth don’t fit together properly — or your jaw causes chronic pain, difficulty chewing, or breathing problems — orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) may be the most comprehensive solution available. At Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery in St. George, UT, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons evaluate patients from across Southern Utah — including Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, and Cedar City — who are living with jaw discrepancies that braces alone cannot fix.

This guide covers everything St. George patients need to know about orthognathic surgery: who qualifies, what the procedure involves, what it costs, and what recovery actually looks like.

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

Orthognathic surgery is a set of corrective procedures that reposition the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to improve bite alignment, facial balance, and function. The word “orthognathic” comes from the Greek words for “straight jaw” — and that’s precisely the goal.

Unlike orthodontic treatment, which moves teeth within the jaw, orthognathic surgery moves the jaw bones themselves. In most cases, patients complete a course of pre-surgical orthodontic treatment (braces or clear aligners) before surgery, and post-surgical orthodontics afterward to fine-tune the final bite.

Common conditions treated with orthognathic surgery in St. George, UT include:

• Underbite — the lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw
• Overbite — the upper jaw significantly overhangs the lower
• Open bite — front teeth don’t make contact when the back teeth are closed
• Crossbite — upper and lower jaws are misaligned laterally
• Asymmetry — the jaw or facial structure is noticeably uneven
• Obstructive sleep apnea caused by jaw structure
• Chronic TMJ pain stemming from skeletal bite discrepancy

Are You a Candidate for Orthognathic Surgery?

Candidacy for corrective jaw surgery is determined through a comprehensive evaluation that includes clinical examination, 3D cone-beam CT imaging, dental X-rays, photographs, and digital bite analysis. Ideal candidates typically meet the following criteria:

• Skeletal maturity: Jaw growth must be complete — generally by the late teens for women and early 20s for men — so that surgical corrections hold long-term.
• Functional impairment: Difficulty chewing, speaking, swallowing, or breathing due to jaw misalignment.
• Orthodontic commitment: Willingness to complete pre- and post-surgical braces or aligner treatment (typically 12–18 months total across both phases).
• Good general health: No uncontrolled systemic conditions that would elevate surgical risk.

Many St. George patients are surprised to learn their chronic jaw pain or sleep issues have a skeletal root cause. If you’ve been told braces or a night guard “should help” but symptoms persist, a surgical evaluation is worth pursuing.

Our prior post on orthognathic surgery for underbite correction in St. George, UT walks through the specific evaluation process for patients whose lower jaw protrudes — worth reviewing if underbite is your primary concern.

The Orthognathic Surgery Process: Step by Step

Phase 1: Pre-Surgical Orthodontics (12–18 Months)

Before surgery, your orthodontist aligns your teeth within each arch so that when the jaw bones are repositioned, the teeth will mesh correctly in their new position. During this phase, your bite may temporarily look or feel worse — this is expected and normal.

Phase 2: Surgical Planning

Your oral surgeon uses 3D imaging and digital surgical planning software to precisely map the repositioning of your jaw bones before any incision is made. At Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery in St. George, this planning phase is where the precision that determines your outcome is established.

Phase 3: The Surgery Itself

Orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or accredited surgical center. Incisions are made inside the mouth — in most cases, leaving no visible external scarring. Depending on which jaw(s) require correction:

• Le Fort I osteotomy — repositions the upper jaw (maxilla)
• Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) — repositions the lower jaw (mandible)
• Genioplasty — repositions the chin for improved facial balance

Titanium plates and screws hold the bones in their new position while healing occurs. Surgery duration ranges from 1.5 to 4+ hours depending on complexity.

For a detailed breakdown of what the surgical procedure involves, see our guide to underbite treatment in St. George — from diagnosis to correction.

Phase 4: Hospital Recovery

Most patients spend one night in the hospital after orthognathic surgery. Swelling, jaw stiffness, and a soft-food diet are expected. The first 72 hours are the most uncomfortable. By week two, most patients in St. George are managing well at home.

Phase 5: Post-Surgical Orthodontics (6–12 Months)

Once the jaw is healed enough (usually 6–8 weeks post-op), your orthodontist fine-tunes the final bite alignment. This phase typically lasts 6–12 months before your braces come off.

Recovery Timeline for Orthognathic Surgery

Recovery varies by the complexity of your procedure, but here’s what St. George, UT patients typically experience:

• Week 1–2: Significant swelling and jaw stiffness; liquid or blended diet; rest at home. Pain is managed with prescription medication.
• Week 3–4: Swelling begins to subside; most patients transition to soft foods. Many return to desk work or school.
• Week 5–8: Energy returns noticeably; jaw mobility improves with guided exercises. Soft-food diet continues.
• Month 3–4: Most patients are back to a near-normal diet; external swelling largely resolved.
• Month 6–12: Final bite refinement with orthodontics; subtle residual swelling in tissues fully resolves.

Our comprehensive post on jaw surgery recovery in St. George, UT provides a detailed week-by-week timeline of what to expect — bookmark it if you’re in the planning phase.

What Does Orthognathic Surgery Cost in St. George, UT?

Cost is one of the most common questions we receive, and it’s a fair one. Orthognathic surgery involves multiple providers and phases, so the total investment includes:

• Oral surgeon’s fee for the procedure itself
• Hospital or surgical facility fee
• Anesthesiologist fee
• Pre- and post-surgical orthodontics (through your orthodontist)
• Imaging, surgical planning, and follow-up appointments

Total costs vary widely based on whether one jaw or both require correction. For many patients, medical insurance covers a substantial portion — sometimes the majority — of the surgical fees when jaw surgery is deemed medically necessary (for functional problems like chewing impairment, obstructive sleep apnea, or significant pain). This is distinct from purely cosmetic procedures.

Our team works closely with insurance carriers and will help you obtain pre-authorization before scheduling surgery. We also coordinate with your orthodontist to ensure all phases are aligned.

Does Orthognathic Surgery Affect TMJ Pain?

For many patients, chronic TMJ pain is directly linked to how the jaws relate to one another. When the jaw is skeletal misaligned, the TMJ joint is under constant irregular stress — leading to pain, clicking, and muscle tension that conservative treatments cannot fully resolve.

Correcting the underlying jaw position through orthognathic surgery often significantly reduces or eliminates TMJ symptoms. However, not all TMJ disorders have a skeletal cause, which is why a thorough evaluation is essential before proceeding.

Learn more about when jaw surgery is the right answer in our guide: TMJ treatment in St. George, UT — when conservative care works and when surgery is the answer.

Why Southern Utah Patients Choose Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery

Patients from Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, Cedar City, and communities throughout Southern Utah travel to our St. George, UT practice for corrective jaw surgery because of our combination of specialized training, advanced imaging technology, and coordinated surgical planning. Our surgeons are board-eligible or board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with specific fellowship training in orthognathic procedures.

We use digital surgical planning tools that allow us to visualize — and simulate — the final result of your jaw repositioning before a single incision is made. This precision reduces operative time, improves outcomes, and gives you a realistic preview of your result.

For patients who want to understand the full scope of care available, our guide to the best oral surgeon in St. George, UT covers what to look for when choosing a provider for complex procedures like orthognathic surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthognathic Surgery in St. George, UT

How long does the entire orthognathic surgery process take?

From the start of pre-surgical orthodontics to the end of post-surgical orthodontic refinement, most patients complete the process in 2–3 years. Surgery itself is a single event within that timeline — typically scheduled after 12–18 months of pre-surgical braces.

Will I need to have my jaw wired shut after surgery?

In most modern orthognathic procedures, the jaws are not wired shut. Titanium plates and screws hold the repositioned bones in place, and patients are placed on a liquid/soft-food diet — not traditional wiring. Light elastics (rubber bands) on your braces may be used during early healing to guide the bite.

Is orthognathic surgery painful?

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you feel nothing during the procedure. Discomfort in the first week post-op is managed with prescription pain medication. Most patients describe significant swelling and pressure more than sharp pain, and discomfort decreases noticeably by weeks 2–3.

Will corrective jaw surgery change my appearance?

Yes — repositioning the jaw bones affects the profile and facial balance. Most patients find the changes to be natural-looking improvements: a more balanced profile, better chin projection, and reduced facial asymmetry. Your surgical team will show you predictive imaging of expected changes during the planning phase.

Can orthognathic surgery help with sleep apnea?

Yes. Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) — a form of orthognathic surgery that moves both jaws forward — is one of the most effective treatments for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea when other treatments have failed. Consult your surgeon and sleep specialist to determine if you are a candidate.

Schedule Your Orthognathic Surgery Consultation in St. George, UT

If you’ve been living with jaw misalignment, chronic bite problems, or pain that conservative care hasn’t resolved, corrective jaw surgery may offer the comprehensive, lasting improvement you’re looking for. Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery serves patients throughout Southern Utah — including St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, and Cedar City.

Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery
St. George, UT
Call us to schedule your consultation and learn whether orthognathic surgery is the right path for your jaw, your bite, and your quality of life.

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual candidacy for orthognathic surgery must be determined through a comprehensive in-person evaluation with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Results vary based on individual anatomy, health history, and treatment compliance.