Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic treatment, combines orthodontic tooth movement with jaw surgery performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. It may be recommended when the upper and lower jaws do not fit together correctly, and the bite cannot be corrected with braces or Invisalign clear aligners alone.
We plan and manage the orthodontic side of these cases at both the Odessa and Midland offices. The surgeon performs the jaw surgery, while the orthodontist prepares the teeth before surgery and refines the bite afterward.
When jaw surgery may be needed
Most bite problems can be corrected with braces or clear aligners. Surgery is only considered when the jaw relationship is too significant to correct with tooth movement alone.
Surgical orthodontics may be considered for:
- A lower jaw that sits noticeably ahead of or behind the upper jaw
- An open bite where the front teeth do not meet
- Significant facial asymmetry
- Bite problems that affect chewing, speech, or jaw function
- Some jaw growth concerns can be addressed earlier in childhood, which is one reason an early check by age 7 can be helpful. Once growth is complete, some skeletal bite problems may have fewer non-surgical options.
The only way to know whether surgery may be needed is through an orthodontic examination. When clinically useful, three-dimensional imaging can help the doctors evaluate the teeth, jaws, and bite in greater detail.
How orthodontics and jaw surgery work together
Orthognathic treatment usually happens in three stages, and the orthodontist is involved throughout the process.
Before surgery: Braces are used to align the teeth within each jaw and prepare the bite for the surgical correction. In some cases, the bite may look worse temporarily as the teeth are positioned for surgery. The doctors will explain this before treatment begins.
Surgery: The oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions one or both jaws. The orthodontist and surgeon coordinate the plan using shared records and treatment goals.
After surgery: Orthodontic treatment continues to fine-tune the bite and guide the teeth into their final positions. Retainers are used after active treatment to help maintain the result.
What surgical orthodontics costs?
Surgical orthodontic treatment involves orthodontic care, an oral surgeon, and sometimes a surgical facility, so the total cost cannot be accurately quoted without an examination and surgical consultation.
At Reznik Orthodontics, the orthodontic consultation is complimentary. After the exam, our team explains the orthodontic fee, payment options, and how dental insurance benefits may apply.
Reznik Orthodontics accepts most PPO insurance plans, files claims on your behalf, and accepts assignment of benefits when the plan allows. Medical insurance may apply to the surgical portion, but that is reviewed through the surgeon’s office and your insurance carrier.
Choosing between surgical and non-surgical options
Surgical orthodontics is a bigger decision than routine braces or clear aligner treatment. It can correct jaw relationships that orthodontics alone cannot, but it also involves surgery, recovery, and a longer overall treatment process.
Some patients with skeletal bite problems choose surgery because they want the most complete correction. Others may choose a non-surgical orthodontic plan that improves the bite and smile as much as possible without jaw surgery.
The consultation helps you understand both options. The doctors will explain what surgery could address, what a non-surgical plan could address, and what the differences may be for your case.
Schedule a complimentary consultation
Call the Odessa office at (432) 333-7105 or the Midland office at (432) 682-1222, or request an appointment online.
Dr. Megan Reznik, Dr. Derek Reznik, and Dr. Michael Reznik are board-certified orthodontists. Your consultation includes an exam, a review of your bite, and a clear explanation of whether surgical orthodontics or a non-surgical option may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an orthodontist perform jaw surgery?
No. Jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The orthodontist diagnoses the problem, plans the tooth movement with the surgeon, treats the case before and after the operation, and manages retention afterwards.
Will I need braces before jaw surgery, or only after?
Both, in most cases. The pre-surgical phase positions the teeth so the jaws can fit correctly once repositioned, and the post-surgical phase settles the bite into its final position.
How do I know whether braces alone would be enough?
A comprehensive orthodontic examination, with imaging where the case requires it, is the only reliable way. Severity of the jaw discrepancy, whether growth is finished, and what result you want all feed into that judgment.
Who chooses the surgeon?
It is a joint decision, and you have a say. Reznik Orthodontics coordinates with oral and maxillofacial surgeons practicing in the Permian Basin, and the orthodontist and the surgeon plan the case together from shared records.