What Is the Difference Between Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontics?
Many people confuse braces and jaw surgery. Here is how they differ and work together.
Orthodontics (braces) and orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) treat different aspects of the same problem. They are often used together for the best results.
- Orthodontics (braces/Invisalign):
- Moves teeth within the jawbone
- Corrects mild to moderate bite problems
- Aligns individual teeth
- Does NOT change the position of the jaw
- Works best when the jaw relationship is normal
- Orthognathic surgery:
- Moves the underlying jawbone
- Corrects severe skeletal problems
- Does NOT align individual teeth
- Changes the position of the entire jaw
- Works best when teeth are already aligned
How they work together (ortho-surgical treatment):
- Pre-surgical orthodontics (12β18 months): Braces align individual teeth in each jaw so they fit together properly after the jaw is moved. This is called "orthodontic decompensation" β undoing the natural compensation your teeth made for the bad bite
- Surgery: The jaw is repositioned into its new, correct position
- Post-surgical orthodontics (4β6 months): Fine-tuning of the bite with braces or rubber bands
- Braces alone cannot fix:
- Severe overbites or underbites where the jaw bone is the problem
- Facial asymmetry caused by jaw position
- Sleep apnea caused by a recessed jaw
- Open bites where the upper and lower jaws do not meet
When Orthodontics Alone Is Not Enough
Clinical Guidance
Orthodontics moves teeth; orthognathic surgery moves the jaw. For severe bite problems, both are needed β braces before surgery to align teeth in each arch, surgery to reposition the jaw, and braces after surgery to fine-tune the result. They are complementary, not alternatives.