Can I Get Jaw Surgery Without Braces?
If you are hoping to skip braces, here is what you need to know.
In the vast majority of cases, braces are necessary before jaw surgery. However, there are some exceptions.
- When braces are always needed:
- Most moderate to severe bite problems
- Cases where teeth are crowded or rotated
- When the dental arches need to be expanded
- When teeth need to be uprighted for proper post-surgery bite
- When surgery without braces may be possible (rare):
- Surgery-first approach: for select cases where the jaw position is the only problem and the teeth are already straight
- Cases where the teeth are already perfectly aligned within each arch
- Some sleep apnea cases where the primary goal is airway, not bite, correction
- The surgery-first approach:
- A newer technique where surgery is done first, then braces follow
- Not suitable for all patients
- Requires specific case selection
- Your surgeon and orthodontist will determine if you qualify
Why Braces Are Usually Needed
- Without pre-surgical braces, the teeth may not fit together properly after the jaw is moved. This can lead to:
- An unstable bite that relapses
- The need for longer post-surgery orthodontics
- Less precise results
Clinical Guidance
Most patients need braces before jaw surgery. A small number of carefully selected patients may qualify for a surgery-first approach, but this is not common. Your orthodontist and surgeon will determine the best sequence for your specific case.