How Much Does Jaw Surgery Cost, Is It Risky, and Do You Need Braces Too?

Jaw surgery corrects abnormalities of the jawbone by moving the bone back into the correct position or shape. Patients with problems in the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both may be unsure whether this kind of surgery is the right way to correct the bone structure and improve the appearance of the face.

Often they do not yet know how much jaw surgery costs or how risky it is, since it can look like major, high-risk surgery. They may also wonder whether it should be combined with braces, and if so, what jaw surgery with braces costs.

This article covers how much jaw surgery costs, the different types, what it can help with, and how to choose where to have it done safely. Here are the details.

How Much Does Jaw Surgery Cost?

The cost of jaw surgery depends on the type of surgery. For example:

• Single-jaw surgery costs about 145,000 THB
• Single-jaw surgery with chin surgery costs about 240,000 – 300,000 THB
• Two-jaw surgery costs about 260,000 THB
• Two-jaw surgery with chin surgery costs about 240,000 – 300,000 THB

Can I Have Jaw Surgery Without Braces?

Patients who want jaw surgery before braces can have it, without doing the surgery and braces together in one stage. The advantages are a shorter treatment time (about 6–12 months) and correction of facial and jaw abnormalities. If the jawbone shifts back after surgery, the braces that follow can help correct it. For patients having braces for the first time, teeth also tend to move faster after surgery.

How Much Does Jaw Surgery with Braces Cost?

For patients who need jaw surgery together with braces, the cost starts from 145,000 THB. Surgery is combined with braces when the jawbone structure is severely abnormal. Braces also correct problems inside the mouth, such as difficulty chewing or swallowing, an underbite where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, or unusual tooth wear or fractures. Some patients focus on appearance, for example believing braces will slim the face, or wanting to fix crooked or crowded teeth, change their facial profile, or correct tilted teeth. There are many types of braces to choose from today, such as:

• Damon braces
• Clear aligners
• Metal braces
• Ceramic braces

Patients can choose the type of braces that suits them to go with jaw surgery. Jaw surgery itself must first be assessed by the medical team, to confirm it is appropriate and will address the patient’s problem. This helps prevent risks after surgery and unwanted results later on.

Read more: Where to Get Braces and What to Know Before Choosing a Clinic
Latest braces prices

Why Have Jaw Surgery and What Can It Help With?

There are several reasons jaw surgery may be needed:

• To correct an abnormal jawbone structure
• To improve speech or swallowing
• To improve the appearance of the face and teeth, for example correcting facial asymmetry
• To chew food more efficiently
• To relieve sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep) or snoring
• To help the lips close fully at rest
• To reduce tooth wear or fractures

What Types of Jaw Surgery Are There?

Here, jaw surgery is divided into 6 types:

1. Upper Jaw Surgery

Upper jaw surgery corrects teeth that do not bite together, lips that protrude abnormally, lower teeth that stick out in front, and abnormal growth of the bones in the middle of the face.

2. Lower Jaw Surgery

Lower jaw surgery corrects a chin that protrudes or recedes abnormally. It also helps patients with a crooked or tilted face or chin that makes the face asymmetrical, giving a more balanced facial shape. It can also help with snoring, because it improves the position of the tongue and makes breathing easier.

3. Upper and Lower Jaw Surgery

Upper and lower jaw surgery treats patients with abnormalities in both jaws. One example is moving both jaws forward, which can help with snoring, sleep apnea, and abnormalities of the facial shape, jaw or bite.

4. Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)

Jaw surgery to reshape the chin corrects a small or protruding chin. The chin and jaw are moved to the correct position and held in place with metal bone plates.

5. Jaw Surgery for Jaw Joint Disorders

Jaw surgery for jaw joint (TMJ) disorders helps treat problems with chewing or abnormal jaw movement.

6. Jaw Surgery Combined with Braces

Jaw surgery can be combined with braces in 2 ways:

• Conventional Approach: the traditional method, with braces first and surgery afterward. Braces first correct crowding, tooth angulation and other tooth problems, and then the jaw surgery is done.
• Surgery-First Approach: a method that is popular today, with surgery before braces. It saves time, but it requires a surgical team experienced in this approach.

See jaw surgery reviews

Is Jaw Surgery Risky and How Dangerous Is It?

Like any surgery, jaw surgery carries risks afterward. Examples include blood loss, infection, a bite that does not close properly or jaw joint pain, numbness of the lips, partial loss of jawbone, an unintended jaw fracture, and needing root canal treatment or dental implants, or losing teeth. Having treatment at a well-run dental clinic, performed by a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery, can lower these risks further.

(For root canal prices, see Root Canal Cost: Every Fee to Know Before Treatment)

Does Jaw Surgery Hurt?

During jaw surgery, patients are under general anesthesia given by an anesthesiologist, so there is no need to worry about pain during the operation. Afterward there may be pain and swelling. The doctor will explain how to look after yourself and provide pain medication.

How to Choose a Clinic for Jaw Surgery

For patients interested in jaw surgery who are not sure where to have it, here is what to look for in a clinic:

• A clinic with specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, known in Thailand as “maxillo” doctors. At Smile And Co Dental Clinic, our team includes specialists, and you can see the names of our oral and maxillofacial surgeons on our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons page (see the list of Smile And Co Dental Clinic’s specialist dentists).
• A clinic that uses modern technology to plan and support care before and during surgery, such as sterilization systems that meet international standards and digital X-ray systems, with operating rooms designed specifically for dental work and oral surgery.
• A clinic with verifiable quality and standards: check its 11-digit business license number, its license to operate a healthcare facility, and its license to run a healthcare facility.
• A clean clinic with no unpleasant odors, with good service and detailed advice both before and after treatment.
• A clinic that discloses costs openly and verifiably, and offers payment options. At Smile And Co Dental Clinic, for example, payment can be split into installments.

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