Corrective Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, aims to correct abnormalities of the jawbones in order to realign the jaws and teeth to improve overall function. This surgery can also improve the outside appearance of your face.

If you have problems with your jaw that cannot be corrected with orthodontic treatment alone, corrective jaw surgery may be considered. Your braces will be on before surgery and during recovery, until you are completely healed and proper alignment has occurred. To make sure you are getting the most out of your treatment, your orthodontist will work with your surgeon.

Corrective jaw surgery should only be performed when the jaw has completed its growth. This occurs around 14 to 16 years for females and 17 to 21 years for males.

What does corrective jaw surgery improve?

There are many benefits to corrective jaw surgery, including:

  • Improved chewing and biting
  • Correction of swallowing problems
  • Improved speech
  • Reduced wear and tear on teeth
  • Correction of an open bite, where the molars don’t touch the front teeth
  • Repaired facial imbalance, such as small chins, underbites, overbites, and crossbites
  • Improved ability for lips to close completely and comfortably
  • Relief of pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or other jaw problems
  • Repaired facial injuries or birth defects
  • Relief for obstructive sleep apnea

Where can jaw surgery be performed?

There are three sections a surgeon can work on:

  • Upper jaw
    • Receded or protruding upper jaw
    • Crossbite
    • Too much or too little of your teeth showing
    • Open bite
    • Facial growth of the middle of the face
  • Lower jaw
    • Receded lower jaw
    • Protruding lower jaw
  • Chin: Surgery of the chin can correct patients with a small chin. Small chins often accompany a severely receded lower jaw, which can cause many of the problems listed above. Typically, the altering of the jaw as well as restructure of the chin can be done in the same surgery.

Contact Us

Send Us an Email

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort...It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!
    Over the years, Dr. Katz and his team have provided me with an extremely high level of care and personal sensitivity. He has earned my trust."
    Jim Velleco - Marblehead, MA
  • "I have had a lot of dental work done during my life--orthodontia, fillings, crowns, implants, root canals, a bridge--and Dr. Katz is by far the best dentist I've ever seen. In addition to being a superior craftsman with a lot of experience, Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort. His staff, several of whom have been working with him for decades, is likewise excellent. It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!"
    Sandra Doherty
  • "Awesome Doctor and team - have been going to Dr. Katz's practice for over 20 years and the professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to. Highly recommend them - with a warm smile!!!
    The professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to."
    Paul Romano
  • "I travel from Woburn to Salem for my dental needs because there is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family. I highly recommend Dr. Katz!
    There is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family."
    Rob Dealy
  • "It’s not “Cheers” and they don’t serve beer, but it is a place “where everybody knows your name.” They know your family, too. And you know theirs. After 25 years here, for me it’s not just about having clean teeth. It’s about catching up with old friends, sharing what’s going on and caring about each other."
    Eugenia Fountain - Salem, ma
  • "They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover...We recommend them without hesitation.
    If you're looking for top-notch customer service, a welcoming staff, and valuable take-home knowledge, make an appointment with Dr. Katz. My mouth and I have had nothing but positive experiences in his care."
    Mike Briddon - Swampscott, MA
  • "Dr. Katz makes me feel like I'm the most important patient he has. He is calm, relaxed, informative, patient and gentle...I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the people I've sent
    Thank you for over 20 years of compassionate and technically excellent dental care."
    Christine Kowal - Swampscott, MA
  • "We come from Wakefield to see Dr. Katz. He has been our family dentist for the last 10 years and my husbands dentist since he was a kid. Today my very anxious 7 year old had to have a tooth pulled and Dr. Katz did a wonderful job at making him comfortable. My son got through the experience with flying colors and no tantrums. We would highly recommend him as a dentist!"
    Nicole Jennings
  • "My husband and I are long term patients of this practice because of the trust it has earned with us over time. They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover .....clearly a plus. We recommend them without hesitation!"
    Michelle Genereux

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Hours below do not reflect our 'temporary' modified schedule. Please call the office for details.

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

12:00 pm-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed