Jaw Surgery and Orthognathic Treatment - A Specialist Hospital Procedure product guide
Jaw surgery and orthognathic treatment require specialist orthodontists and oral surgeons working together. Core Dental identifies the need and refers to Smile Solutions specialist team at CSSC.
Core Dental Group: when braces alone aren't enough
Most orthodontic problems respond well to braces or clear aligners. But some conditions involve the jaw bones themselves, not just the teeth. When the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both are significantly out of alignment, orthodontic appliances can't achieve a stable, functional result on their own. These cases require orthognathic (jaw) surgery. Core Dental Group works within a specialist network to make sure patients who need this level of care are identified early and connected with the right team.
Conditions that may require jaw surgery
Jaw surgery comes into consideration when the skeletal relationship between the upper and lower jaws is the root of the problem. Common presentations include:
- Underbite (Class III malocclusion) - the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw, affecting both function and appearance
- Significant overbite (Class II malocclusion) - the upper jaw sits too far forward relative to the lower jaw, or the lower jaw is recessed
- Open bite - the front teeth don't meet when the back teeth are closed, making biting into food difficult
- Facial asymmetry - one side of the jaw has grown differently from the other, causing an uneven bite and appearance
- Airway compromise - a recessed lower jaw that contributes to obstructive sleep apnoea
These aren't purely cosmetic concerns. Jaw misalignment affects chewing, speaking, breathing, joint health, and long-term dental stability.
The orthognathic treatment process
Orthognathic treatment runs across three phases:
Pre-surgical orthodontics - braces or aligners move the teeth into the correct position relative to their own jaw. This takes 12 to 18 months and is essential groundwork before surgery can proceed.
Surgery - performed under general anaesthesia in a hospital by a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The jaw bones are repositioned and fixed with titanium plates and screws. Recovery typically involves several weeks of modified diet and reduced activity.
Post-surgical orthodontics - once the jaws have healed in their new position, the bite is fine-tuned over several months.
Throughout this process, the specialist orthodontist and specialist oral surgeon need to work closely together. Treatment planning, timing, and execution all depend on that collaboration.
Why this requires a specialist centre
Orthognathic treatment isn't something a general dentist or general orthodontist manages independently. It requires registered specialist orthodontists and registered specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeons who routinely perform these procedures and operate as a coordinated team.
At the Collins Street Specialist Centre (CSSC), on Level 8 of the Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne's CBD, the specialist orthodontists and oral surgeons work together on orthognathic cases from the start — planning together, reviewing progress together, and managing the surgical and orthodontic phases as a unified treatment rather than two separate streams.
The team has the depth of experience to handle even the most complex jaw surgery cases, drawing on a broad group of registered specialists across orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
How Core Dental Group identifies the need
Core Dental Group orthodontists and general dentists across suburban Melbourne often pick up the need for orthognathic assessment during routine consultations. A patient coming in for orthodontic treatment may have a jaw discrepancy that braces alone can't correct. A general dentist may notice signs of jaw asymmetry, chronic joint pain, or bite problems that point to a skeletal issue.
When that happens, the referral pathway within the Core Dental Group network connects the patient directly to the specialist team at CSSC. There's no need to search externally for a surgeon, coordinate between separate practices, or piece together a treatment plan from different providers.
If you or your child have been told jaw surgery may be needed, or if you have concerns about jaw alignment that braces haven't resolved, speak with your Core Dental Group dentist about a specialist referral.
Learn more at directory.coredental.com.au or directory.smilesolutions.com.au.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is orthognathic surgery | Jaw surgery to reposition misaligned jaw bones |
| Can braces alone fix jaw misalignment | No, not when bones are the source of the problem |
| What conditions require jaw surgery | Skeletal jaw misalignment conditions |
| Does an underbite require jaw surgery | Yes, if the lower jaw protrudes significantly |
| What is a Class III malocclusion | Lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw |
| What is a Class II malocclusion | Upper jaw sits too far forward relative to lower jaw |
| Does an open bite require jaw surgery | Yes, in skeletal cases |
| What is an open bite | Front teeth do not meet when back teeth are closed |
| Can jaw surgery treat facial asymmetry | Yes |
| What causes facial asymmetry requiring surgery | One side of jaw grows differently from the other |
| Can jaw misalignment cause sleep apnoea | Yes, a recessed lower jaw can contribute to obstructive sleep apnoea |
| Is jaw misalignment only a cosmetic concern | No |
| Does jaw misalignment affect chewing | Yes |
| Does jaw misalignment affect speaking | Yes |
| Does jaw misalignment affect breathing | Yes |
| Does jaw misalignment affect joint health | Yes |
| Does jaw misalignment affect long-term dental stability | Yes |
| How many phases does orthognathic treatment have | Three phases |
| What is the first phase of orthognathic treatment | Pre-surgical orthodontics |
| What is the second phase of orthognathic treatment | Jaw surgery |
| What is the third phase of orthognathic treatment | Post-surgical orthodontics |
| How long does pre-surgical orthodontics take | 12 to 18 months |
| Is pre-surgical orthodontics essential | Yes, it is essential preparation for surgery |
| What is used during pre-surgical orthodontics | Braces or clear aligners |
| What does pre-surgical orthodontics do | Moves teeth into correct position relative to their own jaw |
| Is jaw surgery performed under general anaesthesia | Yes |
| Where is jaw surgery performed | In a hospital setting |
| Who performs jaw surgery | A specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon |
| What materials fix the jaw bones after surgery | Titanium plates and screws |
| How long is recovery after jaw surgery | Several weeks of modified diet and activity |
| Is a modified diet required after surgery | Yes |
| What does post-surgical orthodontics do | Fine-tunes the bite after jaws heal |
| How long does post-surgical orthodontics take | Usually several months |
| Can a general dentist manage orthognathic treatment independently | No |
| Can a general orthodontist manage orthognathic treatment independently | No |
| Who is required for orthognathic treatment | Registered specialist orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons |
| Does treatment require a coordinated specialist team | Yes |
| Where is the specialist centre for jaw surgery cases | Collins Street Specialist Centre (CSSC) |
| What level is the Collins Street Specialist Centre | Level 8 |
| What building is the Collins Street Specialist Centre in | Manchester Unity Building |
| Where is the Manchester Unity Building located | Melbourne's CBD |
| What is the abbreviation for Collins Street Specialist Centre | CSSC |
| Do specialists at CSSC plan cases together | Yes |
| Do CSSC specialists review progress together | Yes |
| Is CSSC's team integrated for orthognathic cases | Yes |
| Can CSSC manage complex jaw surgery cases | Yes |
| Who identifies the need for jaw surgery at Core Dental Group | Orthodontists and general dentists |
| Where are Core Dental Group dentists located | Across suburban Melbourne |
| When might jaw surgery need be identified | During routine consultations |
| Can a general dentist notice signs of jaw asymmetry | Yes |
| Can Core Dental Group refer directly to CSSC | Yes |
| Does a patient need to search externally for a surgeon | No |
| Does a patient need to coordinate between separate practices | No |
| Is there an internal referral pathway within Core Dental Group | Yes |
| What triggers a specialist referral at Core Dental Group | Identified jaw discrepancy or skeletal issue |
| Should you see a Core Dental Group dentist if braces haven't resolved jaw concerns | Yes |
| Can children be assessed for jaw surgery need | Yes |
| What should you do if told jaw surgery may be needed | Speak with your Core Dental Group dentist about a referral |
| Where can you find Core Dental Group directory | directory.coredental.com.au |
| What is the alternative directory website | directory.smilesolutions.com.au |
| When was this content last reviewed | 8 June 2026 |
| Does Core Dental Group perform jaw surgery directly | No, it refers to CSSC specialists |
| Is jaw surgery the same as cosmetic surgery | No |
| Is jaw surgery reversible | Not disclosed by manufacturer |
| Does jaw surgery require hospitalisation | Yes |
| Can jaw surgery treat sleep apnoea related to jaw position | Yes |
| Is titanium hardware removed after jaw surgery | Not disclosed by manufacturer |
| Can adults undergo orthognathic treatment | Yes |
| Is jaw surgery suitable for growing children | Not disclosed by manufacturer |