Repositioning the Jaw for a Healthier, More Balanced Life

For most orthodontic patients, braces or aligners are enough to create a straight, well-functioning smile. But for some, the issue isn’t just the teeth — it’s the jaw itself. When the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both develop with significant skeletal discrepancy, corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be the most effective path to a functional, balanced, and lasting result.

Corrective jaw surgery moves the teeth and jaws into more balanced, functional positions. Whether your concerns involve your bite, facial profile, or ability to chew and speak comfortably, orthognathic surgery can have a meaningful, lasting impact on your quality of life.

At Cranston Orthodontics, Dr. Cosmo works closely with experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons to guide patients through the entire process — from initial evaluation and orthodontic preparation to surgery and post-surgical finishing — ensuring the best possible outcome for each patient.

Who Needs Corrective Jaw Surgery

In some patients, the upper and lower jaws develop at different rates — one growing too much or too little relative to the other. Injuries, birth defects, and certain medical conditions can also affect jaw alignment in ways that go beyond what orthodontic treatment alone can correct.

You may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery if you experience any of the following:

Difficulty chewing, biting food, or swallowing
Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain and headache
Excessive or uneven wear of the teeth
Open bite — a space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is fully closed
Unbalanced or asymmetrical facial appearance from the front or side
Facial injury or birth defects affecting jaw position
Receding chin or protruding jaw
Inability to make the lips meet comfortably without straining
Chronic mouth breathing or persistent dry mouth
Sleep apnea or breathing problems during sleep, including snoring
Speech difficulties related to jaw or bite position

If you recognize any of these conditions in yourself or your child, a consultation with Dr. Cosmo is the right first step. He will evaluate the full picture — your teeth, your bite, your jaw, and your facial structure — and determine whether corrective jaw surgery is indicated and, if so, what the most appropriate treatment sequence looks like for your case.

What to Expect From the Corrective Jaw Surgery Process

Initial evaluation: Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation at Cranston Orthodontics. Dr. Cosmo will take detailed diagnostic records — including cone beam 3D imaging, photographs, and digital dental models — and assess whether corrective jaw surgery is appropriate for your case. If surgery is indicated, Dr. Cosmo will coordinate a referral to an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon and collaborate on a unified treatment plan.
Pre-surgical orthodontic preparation: Once the treatment plan is established, pre-surgical orthodontic treatment begins. This phase aligns the teeth in preparation for surgery and typically takes 12 to 18 months.
Surgical planning and procedure: As surgery approaches, Dr. Cosmo and the surgical team use advanced imaging and digital planning tools to precisely map the jaw movements that will take place during the procedure. Surgery itself is performed under general anesthesia and typically requires a hospital stay of one to two nights.
Recovery: Recovery time varies depending on the extent of surgery performed. Most patients return to normal activities within three to six weeks, with dietary modifications recommended during the healing period. Dr. Cosmo will monitor your progress closely during recovery and coordinate with the surgical team to ensure healing is proceeding as expected.
Post-surgical orthodontics: After an appropriate healing period, post-surgical orthodontic treatment resumes to finalize tooth alignment within the repositioned jaw. This phase typically takes six to twelve months.
Retention: Upon completion of post-surgical orthodontics, retainers are placed to maintain your result permanently.

Find Out if Corrective Jaw Surgery is Right for You

If you have been living with a jaw-related condition — whether it's chronic pain, a bite that has never felt right, or a facial profile that affects your confidence — a consultation with Dr. Cosmo is the right place to start. We offer complimentary new patient exams with no commitment required.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Corrective jaw surgery — also called orthognathic surgery — repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct significant skeletal discrepancies that orthodontic treatment alone cannot fully address. When the jaws develop at different rates, or when jaw position is affected by injury or birth defects, the resulting bite and facial imbalance can cause chronic problems with chewing, speaking, breathing, and jaw pain. Surgery corrects the problem at its source — the bone itself — rather than compensating for it at the tooth level.

The clearest indicator that surgery may be needed is when the bite and jaw imbalance has a significant skeletal component — meaning the jaw bones themselves are positioned incorrectly, not just the teeth sitting on them. Signs that often point to a surgical need include difficulty chewing or biting, chronic jaw or TMJ pain, an open bite where the front teeth don't come together when the mouth is closed, a receding chin or protruding jaw, a noticeably unbalanced or asymmetrical facial appearance, sleep apnea, or an inability to bring the lips together comfortably. A thorough evaluation with Dr. Cosmo — including cone beam 3D imaging — is the only reliable way to determine whether surgery is appropriate for your specific case.

No. The surgical procedure itself is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Cosmo's role is equally critical — he provides the comprehensive orthodontic evaluation that determines whether surgery is indicated, plans and delivers the pre-surgical orthodontic preparation that positions the teeth correctly before surgery, collaborates closely with the surgical team on the precise jaw movements planned for the procedure, and manages all post-surgical orthodontic finishing. At Cranston Orthodontics, patients benefit from Dr. Cosmo's experience coordinating complex surgical cases and his direct working relationships with skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

The process unfolds in five stages. It begins with a comprehensive evaluation at Cranston Orthodontics, where Dr. Cosmo determines whether surgery is appropriate and coordinates with the surgical team on a unified treatment plan. Pre-surgical orthodontics then begins — typically lasting 12 to 18 months — to align the teeth in preparation for the jaw repositioning. As surgery approaches, advanced imaging and digital planning tools are used to precisely map the jaw movements. Surgery itself is performed under general anesthesia with a hospital stay of one to two nights. Recovery typically allows a return to normal activities within three to six weeks. Post-surgical orthodontics then continues for six to twelve months to finalize alignment within the repositioned jaw, followed by permanent retention.

Most patients return to normal daily activities within three to six weeks of surgery, though this varies depending on the extent of the procedure. Dietary modifications — typically a soft or liquid diet — are recommended during the initial healing period. Swelling gradually resolves over several weeks to months, and final results in terms of facial appearance continue to emerge as healing progresses. Dr. Cosmo monitors recovery closely and coordinates with the surgical team throughout the healing process.

Yes, often significantly — and for most patients, in a very positive way. Because orthognathic surgery repositions the underlying jaw bones, it changes the three-dimensional relationship of the facial structures. Patients with a recessed lower jaw often see a more balanced, projected chin profile. Those with a protruding jaw see improvement in overall facial harmony. Changes to the airway dimensions can also reduce or eliminate snoring and sleep apnea. These changes are carefully planned before surgery using digital imaging so patients can understand what to expect before they commit.

In many cases, yes — at least in part. Because orthognathic surgery is a functional procedure that corrects a medically significant condition affecting chewing, breathing, and jaw function, it is often covered under medical insurance rather than dental insurance. The extent of coverage depends on your specific plan and the documented functional impairments involved. The team at Cranston Orthodontics will help you navigate the insurance process and understand what financial options are available before treatment begins.

Schedule a complimentary new patient exam at Cranston Orthodontics. Dr. Cosmo will take comprehensive diagnostic records — including cone beam CT imaging, photographs, and digital dental models — evaluate your teeth, bite, jaw, and facial structure, and give you a clear, honest assessment of whether corrective jaw surgery is appropriate for your case and what the path forward looks like. There is no obligation and no cost for the initial evaluation. You can book online or call the office at (401) 464-4999.