When braces alone are not enough
Most bite and alignment problems respond well to orthodontic treatment. Braces or aligners can straighten teeth, close gaps, and bring the upper and lower teeth into proper contact. But there is a category of problems that no amount of tooth movement can fully correct, because the issue is not the teeth. It is the underlying jawbones themselves.
When the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both are positioned incorrectly due to genetics, uneven growth, or developmental factors, orthodontics can improve the situation but cannot resolve the root cause. This is where orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, comes in. It repositions the jaw bones so that the face functions and appears as it should, and it does so in a way that delivers changes both to how you feel every day and how you see yourself in the mirror.
What orthognathic surgery actually does
Orthognathic surgery realigns the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. The surgeon repositions the relevant bone, secures it in place with small titanium plates and screws, and the jaw heals in its corrected position. In some cases, a genioplasty, which adjusts the chin position, is performed at the same time to achieve the best possible overall balance.
The conditions commonly addressed by orthognathic surgery include:
- Significant overbite or underbite that cannot be corrected with braces alone
- An open bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not contact when the mouth is closed
- Crossbite affecting the jaw rather than individual teeth
- Facial asymmetry caused by differences in jaw size or position between the left and right sides
- Jaw protrusion or recession creates an unbalanced facial profile
- Chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or speech problems rooted in skeletal structure
- Obstructive sleep apnea linked to airway narrowing from jaw position
The same surgery that corrects function also reshapes the visible proportions of the face. These two outcomes are directly connected, and both matter.
How facial symmetry changes after surgery
The jaw is the structural anchor of the lower face. When it is positioned correctly, the proportions of the chin, lips, cheeks, and profile come into natural balance. When it is not, other features compensate visually, and the face reads as asymmetric or disproportionate even if nothing else is technically wrong.
Research consistently shows that orthognathic surgery produces significant improvements in both hard tissue (bone) and soft tissue (skin and muscle) symmetry. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that all evaluated skeletal parameters showed significant improvement following surgery, regardless of whether one or both jaws were operated on. Bimaxillary surgery, which addresses both upper and lower jaws simultaneously, produced the most comprehensive improvements in facial balance.
The changes patients notice most often after surgery include a more balanced facial profile from the side, improved symmetry between the left and right sides of the face, a more proportionate relationship between the chin and midface, and lips that rest together more naturally. These are not subtle cosmetic changes. For patients who have lived with significant jaw discrepancy, the transformation in facial harmony is genuinely meaningful.
The confidence shift that follows
It would be dishonest to describe orthognathic surgery as purely a clinical correction. For many patients, the psychological dimension of the outcome is at least as significant as the functional one.
Facial appearance affects how people move through their daily lives. It influences interactions, self-presentation, and the internal experience of looking in a mirror. People who have lived with visible facial asymmetry or an obvious jaw discrepancy often carry self-consciousness around it for years before pursuing treatment. The correction of that imbalance, once healed, tends to produce a meaningful and lasting increase in confidence. Patients consistently report feeling more comfortable smiling openly, less preoccupied with their profile in photos, and more at ease in social and professional situations.
This is not about vanity. It is about the quality of daily life that comes from looking and feeling like your face reflects who you are.
How orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery work together
Orthognathic surgery is never a standalone procedure. It is part of a coordinated, multi-phase treatment plan involving an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon working in close collaboration.
The process typically unfolds across two to three years:
Pre-surgical orthodontics (approximately 12 to 18 months): Braces or other appliances align the teeth within each jaw arch, preparing the dental positions so that when the jaws are surgically repositioned, the teeth will fit together correctly. This phase may temporarily make the bite look worse before surgery as teeth are moved out of compensatory positions.
Surgery: Performed under general anesthetic in hospital. Most incisions are made inside the mouth, leaving no visible external scarring. Recovery to normal activity typically takes six weeks, with full bone healing continuing over several months.
Post-surgical orthodontics (approximately 6 to 9 months): After the jaws have healed in their new positions, the orthodontist fine-tunes the bite with precise tooth adjustments.
Retention: Once braces are removed, retainers maintain the result long-term.
Your orthodontist at Kelowna Orthodontics works directly with oral surgeons to coordinate planning across these phases. The team discusses treatment goals together, reviews imaging together, and ensures that the orthodontic and surgical work are designed to produce the best combined outcome for your specific jaw relationship.
Is orthognathic surgery right for you?
Jaw surgery is typically recommended only after the jaws have stopped growing, generally in the late teenage years or adulthood. It is most appropriate for patients whose jaw discrepancy cannot be adequately addressed through orthodontics alone, or for whom orthodontic-only treatment would require compromises in facial appearance or function to achieve a stable result.
The starting point is a comprehensive orthodontic assessment. This includes clinical examination, cephalometric imaging, digital records, and a thorough review of your bite and jaw relationship. If orthodontic surgery in Kelowna, in combination with orthodontic treatment, is the right path, the team will explain the full process clearly, including what to expect at each stage and realistic timelines.
Orthodontics in Kelowna: Drs. Pollard, Diaz, and Kehler
At Kelowna Orthodontics, treatment is led by certified specialist orthodontists Dr. Derek Pollard, Dr. Diego Diaz, and Dr. Jessica Kehler. Dr. Pollard holds a Master’s degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Kehler is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, a graduate of UBC’s orthodontic specialty program, and a member of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists.
The practice has established working relationships with oral surgeons in the region and regularly coordinates care for patients whose treatment requires the orthognathic surgery pathway. Free consultations are available for new patients across the Central Okanagan.
Book your free consultation in Kelowna
If you have questions about jaw alignment, facial symmetry, or whether orthodontic surgery in Kelowna could be part of your treatment plan, a consultation with the team at Kelowna Orthodontics is the right place to start.
Call (250) 763-3312 or visit kelownabraces.ca to request your appointment.
Kelowna Orthodontics 102-1110 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC Serving patients across the Central Okanagan from Penticton to Vernon
