Surgical Orthodontics

Surgical Orthodontics in San Marcos, CA

Surgical orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery, corrects severe jaw and bite problems that braces or aligners cannot fix alone. At San Marcos Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontists plan and guide treatment, then coordinate with trusted oral surgeons to reposition the jaws, before and after surgery, for a stable, functional, balanced result.

Some bite and alignment problems come from the position of the jaws themselves, not just the teeth. When the upper and lower jaws do not meet correctly, it can affect chewing, speech, breathing, and facial balance, and braces alone cannot always solve it. That is where surgical orthodontics comes in. 

At San Marcos Orthodontics, our board-certified team handles the orthodontic side of these complex cases and works hand in hand with experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons to deliver a result that is both healthy and lasting. If surgery is not truly necessary, we will always recommend the most conservative path first. Your evaluation begins with a complimentary consultation.

What Is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, combines orthodontic treatment with jaw surgery performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The orthodontist aligns the teeth and plans the bite, while the surgeon repositions one or both jaws into proper alignment. 

Together, this corrects skeletal problems, the underlying jaw position, rather than just moving teeth to mask them. It is reserved for cases where the difference between the upper and lower jaw is too significant for braces or aligners to correct on their own.

When Is Jaw Surgery Recommended?

Orthognathic surgery may be the right option when:

• The bite does not line up because of the position of the jaws
• Chewing or biting is difficult or inefficient
• Speech is affected by jaw structure
• There is a noticeable facial imbalance or jaw asymmetry
• An open bite, severe overbite, or underbite cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone
• A narrow jaw contributes to airway or breathing concerns

Because the jaws finish growing in the late teens, surgical correction is typically reserved for older teens and adults.

How Do I Know If I Need Surgical Orthodontics?

The only way to know is a thorough orthodontic evaluation. Using advanced 3D imaging and digital planning, we assess how your teeth, jaws, and airway relate to one another and determine whether your goals can be met with orthodontics alone or whether surgery would give you a better, more stable result. 

Many patients who worry they need surgery do not, and we will tell you honestly either way. Our priority is always the most conservative, effective option.

What Happens During Surgical Orthodontic Treatment?

Treatment generally follows three stages:

1. Orthodontic preparation. Braces or aligners position your teeth so they will fit correctly after the jaws are moved. This phase usually takes several months.
2. Orthognathic surgery. Your oral surgeon repositions the jaw or jaws in a hospital or surgical setting. Modern techniques use precise digital planning and small titanium plates to secure the new position.
3. Final detailing. After healing begins, we fine-tune your bite with braces or aligners, usually for six to twelve months, followed by a retainer to protect your result.

How We Plan and Coordinate Your Care

San Marcos Orthodontics serves as the orthodontic home for your treatment. We develop the digital plan, manage every orthodontic phase, and coordinate closely with your surgeon so each step builds on the last. 

This team approach, an experienced orthodontist plus a skilled oral surgeon, is the standard of care for complex jaw cases and gives you the most predictable outcome. Meet our board-certified team.

What Is Recovery Like?

Most patients plan for about two weeks of rest after surgery, with swelling and soreness that ease over the following weeks. You will gradually return to normal eating and daily routines under your surgeon’s guidance, and orthodontic visits resume once healing is underway. 

While surgical treatment is a longer journey than braces alone, patients consistently tell us the improvement in chewing, breathing, comfort, and confidence is well worth it.

Schedule a Surgical Orthodontics Consultation in San Marcos

If you have a complex bite or jaw concern, find out what is truly possible. Call San Marcos Orthodontics at (760) 744-4444 or request an appointment for your complimentary evaluation. We are located on West San Marcos Boulevard, serving San Marcos, Escondido, Vista, Carlsbad, and Encinitas.