Orthognathic surgery and facial contouring reshape or reposition the jaw, chin and cheekbones to improve bite, function and facial balance. Procedures include protruding lower jaw correction, genioplasty (chin surgery), cheekbone enhancement or reduction, and square face correction. Most incisions are inside the mouth, so visible facial scars are usually avoided.
- AnaesthesiaUsually general anaesthesia
- DurationAbout 30 minutes to several hours
- Hospital stayDay care to 3 nights
- Back to routineUsually 1 to 3 weeks
About Orthognathic Surgery
The bones of the jaw, chin and cheeks set the shape and balance of the face. Corrective jaw surgery, usually combined with orthodontic braces, repositions a protruding or receding jaw to improve bite, chewing, speech and breathing as well as appearance.
Facial contouring changes the shape of the face: genioplasty advances, reduces or straightens the chin; cheekbone surgery adds projection with implants or fat, or narrows a wide mid-face by trimming bone or removing buccal fat; and square face correction slims a wide jaw by reducing bone, the masseter muscle or fat.
Planning uses examination, CT scans, X-rays and dental models. Dr. N. Jithendran, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Bengaluru, works with orthodontists where needed. Surgery on the jaw is usually done after facial growth is complete, generally from about 18 years.
Procedures in orthognathic surgeries
Square Face Correction (Jaw Contouring)
Square face correction is facial contouring surgery that softens a wide, angular lower face. Depending on the cause, it may reduce an enlarged jaw…
Read more →Cheekbone Enhancement and Reduction
Cheekbone enhancement and reduction reshape the mid-face. Enhancement (augmentation) adds projection to flat or sunken cheeks using implants, fillers…
Read more →Protruding Lower Jaw Correction (Prognathism Surgery)
Protruding lower jaw correction is orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery that repositions the jaw bones to treat prognathism, where the upper or…
Read more →Chin Correction (Genioplasty)
Chin correction, or genioplasty, is surgery to reshape the chin for better facial balance. A receding or small chin can be advanced with a silicone…
Read more →Who can benefit?
- People with an underbite, overbite, open bite or misaligned jaws
- Jaw pain, tooth wear, or difficulty closing the lips or chewing
- A receding, small, long or asymmetric chin
- Flat or overly wide cheekbones
- A square or wide lower face from jaw bone, muscle or fat
How Dr. Jithendran approaches treatment
- Consultation and imaging such as CT, cephalogram and dental X-rays
- Orthodontic treatment before and after corrective jaw surgery
- General anaesthesia for most procedures
- Incisions mostly inside the mouth; bone fixed with small titanium plates and screws
- Some chin and cheek procedures are day care; jaw surgery may need 1 to 3 nights in hospital
What is recovery like?
- Swelling typically peaks in 2 days and settles over 1 to 6 weeks
- Liquid or soft diet for a period after jaw or intra-oral surgery
- Numbness of the lips or chin is common and usually improves over months
- Return to work typically in 1 to 3 weeks depending on the procedure
- Complex jaw surgery may take several months to a year for full recovery
What are the risks?
- Swelling, bruising and pain
- Nerve injury causing lip or chin numbness, occasionally permanent
- Infection or bleeding
- Asymmetry or need for further correction
- Anaesthesia-related risks
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery is corrective jaw surgery that cuts and repositions the jaw bones to fix bite problems and facial imbalance, such as an underbite or receding jaw. It is usually combined with orthodontic braces to align the teeth.
Will jaw surgery leave scars on my face?
Most jaw, chin and cheekbone procedures use incisions inside the mouth, so visible facial scars are usually avoided. Some chin implants or cheekbone reductions use small incisions under the chin or behind the hairline.
At what age can jaw surgery be done?
Jaw surgery is usually done after facial growth is complete, generally from about 18 years, because the jaw keeps growing until then. Chin and cheek procedures are also planned once growth has finished.
Will I have numbness after jaw surgery?
Numbness of the lower lip, chin or cheeks is common after jaw and chin surgery because nerves run close to the bone. It usually improves over weeks to months, but may occasionally be permanent.
How long is recovery after jaw surgery?
Recovery varies. Chin and cheek procedures often need about one to two weeks. Corrective jaw surgery involves several weeks of soft diet and swelling, and full recovery for complex cases can take up to a year.
