If you have been told that your jaw alignment may require surgery, one of your first questions is probably, “How long will the whole process take?” The answer is different for every patient because surgical orthodontics treatment time depends on the severity of the jaw discrepancy, tooth position, treatment plan, healing progress, and how your teeth respond to orthodontic movement.
Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is generally used when the relationship between the jaws and teeth cannot be adequately corrected with orthodontic treatment alone. If you are considering surgical orthodontic treatment in San Antonio, understanding the stages involved can make the process feel much more manageable.
Quick Answer: How Long Does Surgical Orthodontics Take?
There is no single treatment timeline for surgical orthodontics. The complete process can take multiple months to several years, depending on the individual case. Orthodontic treatment commonly occurs before surgery to prepare the teeth, followed by jaw surgery and additional orthodontic treatment afterward to fine-tune the bite.
The important point is that jaw surgery itself represents only one part of the overall treatment journey.
Why Does Surgical Orthodontic Treatment Take So Long?
Unlike routine orthodontic treatment that focuses primarily on tooth movement, surgical orthodontics addresses the relationship between the teeth and underlying jaw structures.
The American Association of Orthodontists explains that orthodontic treatment is typically started before orthognathic surgery. This preparation helps position the teeth so they can fit together properly after the jaws are repositioned. Orthodontic treatment generally continues after surgery to bring the teeth into their final positions.
Because teeth move gradually and the jaws require time to heal after surgery, rushing the process is generally not the goal. The objective is to carefully coordinate tooth movement, jaw positioning, healing, and bite function.
The Main Stages of Surgical Orthodontics
1. Consultation and Treatment Planning
Treatment begins with a detailed evaluation. Your orthodontist will assess your teeth, bite, jaw relationship, and facial structure to determine whether orthodontics alone may be sufficient or whether surgical treatment should be considered.
If jaw surgery is appropriate, an orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon typically work together as a team.
This planning stage is important because the treatment sequence must be customized to your specific anatomy and goals.
2. Orthodontic Treatment Before Surgery
In many surgical orthodontic cases, braces or another orthodontic approach are used before surgery.
This stage prepares the teeth for the new jaw relationship. It may seem counterintuitive to move the teeth before correcting the jaw, but proper preparation helps the teeth come together correctly once the jaws have been repositioned.
The length of this stage varies considerably. Complex bite problems may require more preparation than relatively straightforward cases.
3. Orthognathic Surgery
Once the orthodontist and surgeon determine that the teeth and jaws are ready, the surgical phase takes place.
Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, depending on the patient’s skeletal problem. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons describes orthognathic surgery as the surgical correction of skeletal abnormalities involving the mandible, maxilla, or both.
The surgery itself is only one day or a short portion of the overall treatment timeline, but recovery afterward is an important part of the process.
4. Recovery and Healing
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure and the individual. The AAO notes that orthognathic surgery is a major procedure and that many patients should plan to take about a week away from work or school for initial recovery, with dietary changes and restrictions during the first few weeks.
Initial recovery, however, should not be confused with the time required for the entire orthodontic treatment.
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding diet, activity, oral care, medications, and follow-up appointments.
5. Orthodontic Finishing
After the jaws have healed sufficiently, orthodontic treatment usually continues.
At this stage, your orthodontist works on smaller tooth movements and bite adjustments to help establish the intended final relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
This finishing phase is one reason it is important to think of surgical orthodontics as a complete treatment process rather than simply “jaw surgery.”
What Can Affect Surgical Orthodontics Treatment Time?
Several factors can influence your timeline, including:
Before discussing the factors that influence surgical orthodontics treatment time, it’s helpful to understand why jaw surgery may be recommended in the first place. Some patients have bite or jaw alignment issues that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms may require surgery, read about the 7 signs you may need surgical orthodontics to better understand when an orthodontist may recommend a surgical approach.
- Severity of the jaw discrepancy: More complex skeletal problems may require more extensive preparation.
- Tooth position: Teeth may need significant movement before and after surgery.
- Treatment response: Everyone’s teeth respond differently to orthodontic forces.
- Surgical complexity: The type and extent of jaw surgery can affect recovery.
- Healing: Your surgeon determines when it is appropriate to progress through different stages of treatment.
- Appointment consistency: Regular orthodontic and surgical follow-ups help keep treatment moving.
- Oral health: Existing dental concerns may need attention before orthodontic treatment begins.
- Patient cooperation: Following orthodontic and post-surgical instructions can help avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Because these variables differ from person to person, an orthodontic consultation is the best way to obtain a personalized estimate.
Does Surgical Orthodontics Take Longer Than Regular Braces?
Often, yes. Surgical orthodontics can involve orthodontic treatment before surgery, the surgical procedure and recovery, and additional orthodontic treatment afterward.
For comparison, the AAO states that conventional braces commonly take around 12–24 months, although treatment duration varies significantly by case.
A surgical orthodontic case may extend beyond that timeframe because it is addressing both tooth alignment and a skeletal jaw discrepancy. However, there is no reliable “standard” number of months that applies to every surgical case.
Can You Shorten the Treatment Time?
It is understandable to want treatment completed as quickly as possible. However, surgical orthodontics involves biological processes that cannot simply be rushed.
Instead of focusing only on speed, patients should focus on maintaining appointments, following instructions carefully, keeping braces and teeth clean, and communicating promptly if something feels wrong.
Your orthodontic team can explain which parts of your treatment timeline are flexible and which depend on tooth movement or healing.
What Should San Antonio Patients Expect?
If you are researching surgical orthodontics in San Antonio, consider the complete journey rather than focusing only on the date of surgery.
A typical treatment plan may involve:
Evaluation > Orthodontic preparation > Jaw surgery > Initial recovery > Orthodontic finishing > Retention
The exact sequence and duration will depend on your diagnosis and treatment plan. Surgical orthodontics is generally coordinated between an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, so communication between your care providers is an important part of treatment planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does surgical orthodontics treatment take?
The total timeline varies widely. It can take multiple months to several years because treatment may include orthodontic preparation, jaw surgery, recovery, and post-surgical orthodontic finishing.
How long do you wear braces before jaw surgery?
There is no universal timeframe. The orthodontic preparation period depends on how much tooth movement is needed before surgery and the complexity of the patient’s bite.
How long after jaw surgery do braces stay on?
Post-surgical orthodontic treatment varies from patient to patient. Your orthodontist will determine when additional tooth movement is needed to finalize your bite.
Is jaw surgery performed by an orthodontist?
No. Orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, while the orthodontist manages the orthodontic phases before and after surgery. The specialists typically work together as a team.
Can surgical orthodontics correct both teeth and jaw alignment?
Surgical orthodontics is designed for cases where the underlying skeletal relationship between the jaws cannot be adequately corrected through orthodontic treatment alone. Orthodontic treatment is generally needed alongside surgery to properly position the teeth.
Final Takeaway
The answer to “How long does surgical orthodontics take?” depends on far more than the surgery date. Surgical orthodontics treatment time includes the orthodontic preparation before surgery, the surgical procedure and recovery, and the orthodontic finishing that follows.
If jaw alignment is affecting your bite, chewing, speaking, or overall oral function, a professional evaluation can help determine whether surgical orthodontics may be appropriate. For patients in San Antonio, Oliver Family Orthodontics can evaluate your orthodontic needs and explain what a potential treatment journey could look like.
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