Orthognathic Surgery (jaw realignment)
Orthognathic surgery is an operation to reposition the jaws.
The operation aims to correct imbalance between the upper and lower jaws, which enables the teeth to bite together correctly. This also has the benefit of balancing and enhancing your facial appearance.
You might need orthognathic surgery if you have a jaw alignment that can't be resolved with orthodontic treatment alone. Jaw surgery can help to:
- Make biting and chewing easier and improve chewing function
- Minimize excessive wear and breakdown of teeth due to an abnormal bite
- Correct and improve the fit of teeth when biting together or jaw closure issues (for example, when the molars touch but the front teeth don't. This is called an anterior open bite)
- Correct facial imbalance, such as facial asymmetry, mismatch of size and proportion of upper and lower jaws and a recessive or prominent chin
- Improve the ability of the lips to close fully
- Repair long term effects of facial injury with permanent bite disturbance
- Provide relief for obstructive sleep apnoea
In most cases, patients have to wear braces to align and straighten their teeth before surgery. The braces are kept on during surgery and during the recovery period until healing and dental alignment is complete.
Contact us
East
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Main switchboard on 01392 411611
North
North Devon District Hospital
Main switchboard on 01271 322577
Where to find us
Your healthcare professional will advise where your appointment will take place. Your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community.
Eastern services
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW
Level 1, Area J
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
We hold a combined Orthognathic Surgery Clinic on Wednesday mornings at Wonford Hospital.
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
Meet the team
Mr Michael Esson, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (subspeciality Orthognathic Surgery)
Dr Matthew Moore, Consultant Orthodontist
Mrs Amelia Jerreat, Consultant Orthodontist
Mrs Louise Kneafsey, Consultant Orthodontist
Services and treatments
Our Orthognathic Surgeon works with a team of orthodontists (specialist dentists) to determine individual treatment plans for each patient.
Surgical treatments available, include:
- Maxillary (Upper Jaw) Osteotomy
- Mandibular (Lower Jaw) Osteotomy
- Genioplasty (Chin surgery)
- Bimaxillary (Both Jaws) Osteotomy
An osteotomy is an operation where a bone is cut to shorten, lengthen, or change its alignment.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.