Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery) in Singapore
Repositioning the upper and/or lower jaw to correct bite, facial balance and airway problems that braces alone cannot fix.
What Is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthognathic surgery — often called corrective jaw surgery — repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), the lower jaw (mandible), the chin, or a combination of these, so that the teeth meet properly and the facial skeleton is in better balance.
It is usually carried out together with orthodontic treatment. Braces align the teeth within each jaw; surgery corrects the position of the jaws themselves.
Who May Need Jaw Surgery?
- An underbite (lower jaw too far forward) or a significant overbite (lower jaw too far back)
- An open bite, where the front teeth do not meet
- Facial asymmetry caused by uneven jaw growth
- Difficulty biting, chewing or speaking because of jaw position
- Obstructive sleep apnoea related to jaw size or position
- Jaw position changes after facial injury
Not every bite problem needs surgery. Many are treated with orthodontics alone; a joint assessment with your orthodontist determines whether surgery would add value.
How Treatment Is Planned
Dr. Loo has used fully 3D computer virtual surgical planning (VSP) since 2014. Your scans are used to plan each jaw movement on screen and to make customised guides, so the surgery can be carried out with precision.
There are two ways to sequence treatment:
- Surgery-first approach: surgery comes first, followed by 12–18 months of orthodontics. The facial profile improves straight away, and the bite then improves gradually as the teeth are aligned.
- Conventional approach: pre-surgical orthodontics (often 12–18 months), then surgery under general anaesthesia in hospital, then a shorter phase of post-surgical orthodontics to fine-tune the bite.
Surgery and Recovery
Jaw surgery is performed from inside the mouth, so there are no visible facial scars. The bones are fixed in their new position with small titanium plates and screws.
Dr. Loo uses minimally invasive orthognathic surgery (MIOS), so patients typically need only one night in hospital. Its impact on daily life is low: patients can talk as usual and open and close the mouth normally from day one.
Swelling peaks around day two to three and settles substantially over two weeks. A soft diet is followed for about six weeks while the bone heals. Most people return to desk-based work or school in two to three weeks.
Temporary numbness of the lip or chin is common after lower-jaw surgery and usually improves over months. Your surgeon will explain the specific risks relevant to your plan at consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need braces before jaw surgery?
Not necessarily. With the surgery-first approach, surgery is done first and orthodontics follows over 12–18 months. With the conventional approach, braces come first. Either way, orthodontic treatment ensures the teeth fit together correctly once the jaws are repositioned. Some carefully selected cases may use a 'surgery-first' approach.
Will jaw surgery change how I look?
Moving the jaws changes the underlying facial skeleton, so the profile and lower face usually change. The aim is a functional bite with a balanced facial appearance; your planned changes can be previewed during 3D planning.
Is jaw surgery covered by insurance or MediSave in Singapore?
Coverage depends on whether the surgery is medically indicated and on your insurer's policy. Medically indicated orthognathic surgery may be claimable; the clinic can advise on documentation for your insurer.
Treated by Dr. Loo Sun Din (Dr. Jarod Loo), Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. This page is general information; your surgeon will advise on the options, risks and costs specific to you.