Skeletal underbite
The lower jaw is too far forward, the upper jaw too far back, or both. Underbite correction explains when orthodontics alone can work.
Corrective jaw surgery
Orthognathic (Corrective Jaw) Surgery in Dubai
When the jaw bones themselves are out of position, braces alone cannot correct the bite. We assess and plan jaw surgery with our specialist orthodontists; the operation itself takes place in hospital.
- Planned with specialist orthodontists
- CBCT 3D imaging for planning
- Operation in a hospital setting
The first visit is an assessment and a discussion of options. Nothing is booked until you have a written plan.
Planned here, operated in hospitalThe operation is performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting.
Quick answer
What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both when a bite problem comes from the jaw bones rather than from the teeth alone. It is combined with orthodontic treatment before and after the operation. At Creative Arts in Dubai, Dr. Firas Osman assesses and plans it with our specialist orthodontists using CBCT 3D imaging; the operation itself is performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting.
27 yearsIn-house dental laboratory in the same building
Written planItemised treatment plan before you commit
Open daily10:00–20:00, seven days a week
Jumeirah 3614 Jumeira St, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
At a glance
Corrective jaw surgery in brief
- What it corrects
- Bite problems that come from the jaw bones: skeletal underbite, severe overbite, open bite, asymmetry
- What treatment involves
- Orthodontics before surgery, the operation, orthodontics to finish, then retainers
- Typical overall length
- Commonly about 18 months to 3 years, depending on the case
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia, given by an anaesthesiologist
- Where the operation happens
- In a hospital setting, not in the clinic; typically one to three nights' stay
- Who assesses and plans
- Dr. Firas Osman with Dr. Muhannad Kazzaz and Dr. Valeriia Kozachenko, specialist orthodontists
- Assessment and orthodontics
- 614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Dubai
Typical ranges. The hospital, stay and recovery plan are confirmed for your case before you commit.
Skeletal bite problems
Which bite problems may need jaw surgery rather than braces alone?
Braces and aligners move teeth within the bone. When the bones themselves are too far forward, too far back or uneven, moving teeth can only disguise part of the problem.
Severe overbite from a small lower jaw
A lower jaw that sits well back leaves the upper front teeth far ahead and the chin set back. Milder versions are usually treated with orthodontics alone.
Skeletal open bite
The front teeth cannot meet because of how the jaws grew vertically, not only because of a habit. Relapse risk is higher, so the plan must address the cause.
Jaw asymmetry
One side of the jaw grew more than the other, so the chin and the centre of the bite drift to one side.
Candidacy
Who is usually a candidate for orthognathic surgery?
The decision comes from an examination, records and 3D imaging, and from what you want to change.
Jaw surgery is often discussed when
- Jaw growth has finished, typically in the late teens or early twenties
- Imaging shows the bite problem comes from the size or position of the jaws
- Biting, chewing or closing the lips comfortably is difficult
- Orthodontics alone would tilt the teeth into an unstable position
Surgery is usually not the first step when
- The discrepancy is mild: orthodontic camouflage, sometimes with elastics or extractions, may be enough
- The jaws are still growing: children are assessed and monitored first, starting with an early orthodontic assessment
- Gum disease or decay is untreated: the mouth has to be healthy first
- You smoke: smoking slows bone healing and is usually stopped well before surgery
The operations
Which jaw operation does which job?
Most corrective jaw surgery is done through incisions inside the mouth; the bone is moved to the planned position and fixed with small titanium plates and screws.
| Upper jaw | Lower jaw | Both jaws | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common name | Le Fort I osteotomy | Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) | Bimaxillary surgery (Le Fort I with BSSO) |
| What it can do | Move the upper jaw forward, up or down, or level a tilt | Move the lower jaw forward or back; correct some asymmetry | Reposition both jaws together |
| Typical use | Underdeveloped upper jaw, some open bites, a lot of gum on show | A lower jaw too far back or too far forward | Larger discrepancies, asymmetry, open bites involving both jaws |
| Numbness to expect | Upper lip, gums and teeth, at first | Lower lip and chin; usually improves over months but can persist | Both areas |
General descriptions, not a menu: the 3D plan decides which jaw moves and by how much. A gummy smile has several possible causes; see what causes a gummy smile.
The pathway
What does the orthognathic pathway look like, stage by stage?
Assessment, planning and the orthodontic phases take place at Creative Arts; the operation takes place in hospital. The braces side is covered under surgical orthodontics.
Joint assessment
Dr. Firas Osman and a specialist orthodontist examine your bite, face, jaw joints and gums, with photographs, a digital scan and X-rays.
At Creative ArtsCBCT and 3D planning
A CBCT 3D scan shows the jaw bones, nerve canals and airway. The jaw movements are planned on this 3D model with the scan of your teeth.
PlanningOrthodontics before surgery
Braces line the teeth up over each jaw so they fit together once the jaws move. The bite can look worse during this phase; that is expected.
Often 12–18 monthsThe operation
Under general anaesthesia given by an anaesthesiologist, the jaw or jaws are repositioned and fixed with plates and screws, guided by surgical splints made from the plan.
In hospitalEarly recovery
Liquid then soft food, swelling care and review visits while the bone heals.
First 6 weeksFinishing orthodontics and retainers
The orthodontist fine-tunes the bite, then retainers hold it.
Often 6–12 months
Why the operation itself is not done in the clinic
Creative Arts has operating rooms for dental and oral surgery such as implants, bone grafts and surgical extractions. Corrective jaw surgery is a major operation: it needs general anaesthesia, an anaesthesiologist, airway care and usually an overnight stay with nursing care, so it is performed in a hospital setting. Dr. Firas Osman explains where the operation takes place and who is involved before you commit.
What is recovery from corrective jaw surgery like?
Most people stay in hospital for one to three nights. Swelling builds over the first two to three days, much of it settles within two to three weeks, and the last of it can take a few months. Our guide to swelling after oral surgery explains what is normal and which signs need a call.
- Eating: liquids first, then a soft diet for around six weeks while the bone heals.
- Jaws are usually not wired shut. Plates and screws hold the bone; light elastics may guide the bite.
- Numbness of the lip, chin or cheek is common at first and usually improves gradually.
- After upper jaw surgery the nose often feels blocked, and you are usually told not to blow it for a few weeks.
- Time off: often two to three weeks from work or study, longer before contact sport.
What are the risks of orthognathic surgery?
Any major operation carries risks, and you should hear them for your own case before deciding. With jaw surgery they include bleeding, infection, lasting numbness of the lower lip and chin after lower jaw surgery, a bite that shifts and needs further orthodontics, jaw-joint symptoms, and plates that occasionally have to be removed later. The anaesthesiologist explains the risks of the anaesthetic separately.
Jaw surgery corrects the bite and jaw position; it is not a dependable treatment for jaw-joint pain on its own, which usually starts with simpler care (see TMJ treatment options). To see how this compares with procedures under local anaesthetic, read minor vs major oral surgery.
Cost
What affects the cost of orthognathic treatment?
A figure cannot be given before assessment. Your written plan separates the stages at Creative Arts from the hospital stage.
- One jaw or bothSurgery on both jaws is longer, with a longer recovery.
- Length of orthodonticsHow much tooth movement is needed before and after.
- The hospital stageTheatre, anaesthesia and length of stay, set by the hospital and explained before you commit.
Who treats you
Who assesses and plans corrective jaw surgery
Dr. Firas Osman, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon & Implantologist, plans the surgical side with Dr. Muhannad Kazzaz and Dr. Valeriia Kozachenko, specialist orthodontists, who carry out the orthodontic phases before and after the operation.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Is orthognathic surgery done in a hospital or in the dental clinic?
In a hospital setting. Corrective jaw surgery is performed under general anaesthesia given by an anaesthesiologist, usually with an overnight stay. At Creative Arts the assessment, 3D planning and the orthodontic phases before and after surgery take place in the clinic, and Dr. Firas Osman explains where the operation will be done and who will be involved.
How long is recovery after orthognathic surgery?
Most people spend one to three nights in hospital and take about two to three weeks away from work or study. A soft diet usually continues for around six weeks while the bone heals. Swelling mostly settles within a few weeks; numbness of the lip or chin can take months to improve.
Will my jaws be wired shut after corrective jaw surgery?
Usually not. Today the repositioned bone is held with small titanium plates and screws, so the jaws are not normally wired together. Light elastics may be used to guide the bite while it settles, and you follow a liquid then soft diet until the surgeon says firmer food is safe.
Can braces fix my underbite without jaw surgery?
Sometimes. If the underbite comes mainly from the position of the teeth, or the jaw difference is mild, orthodontics alone can often correct or disguise it. If the jaws themselves are significantly out of proportion, braces alone may tilt the teeth into an unstable position. A specialist orthodontist and 3D imaging tell the two apart.
Do I need braces before and after orthognathic surgery?
In most cases, yes. Braces before surgery line up the teeth over each jaw so they fit together once the jaws move, and braces afterwards fine-tune the bite. Some teams operate earlier in the sequence for selected cases; your orthodontist and surgeon explain whether that applies to you.
Will corrective jaw surgery change how my face looks?
Usually, yes. Moving a jaw changes the profile, the chin and the balance of the lower face, which is why the facial result is planned along with the bite. The 3D plan shows the intended movements, but soft tissue does not follow bone exactly, so predictions are estimates rather than promises.
Keep exploring
Related treatments
OrthodonticsSurgical orthodonticsThe braces phases before and after jaw surgery, and who leads each one.BiteUnderbite correctionDental vs skeletal underbite, and when surgery joins the plan.SurgeryOral & maxillofacial surgery in DubaiEvery surgical procedure, the operating rooms and anaesthesia options.AnaesthesiaTreatment under general anaesthesiaWhen it is considered, pre-assessment, fasting and recovery.ConditionBite problemsOverbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite explained.
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- Address614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
- Opening hoursClinic open daily, 10:00–20:00
- Phone+971 4 342 4444 · WhatsApp +971 56 677 7537
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