A jaw can become misaligned for a number of reasons, including:

• Upper and lower jaw grew at different rates
• Physical trauma to the jaw
• Birth defects

Whatever the cause of your jaw misalignment, Dr. Mizrahi can work with you to improve the positioning of your jaw and alleviate the many conditions that can occur as a result of an improperly aligned jaw.

Beyond the cosmetic impact on your appearance, a misaligned jaw can cause a whole host of health problems, including:

• Difficulty properly chewing, biting, swallowing, and speaking
• Chronic pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and consistent headaches
• Excessive and premature wear-and-tear on your teeth
• Open bite (where space remains between your upper and lower teeth when your mouth is closed)
• Protruding jaw
• Difficulty breathing, or chronic mouth breathing
• Sleep apnea

With corrective jaw surgery, Dr. Mizrahi can fix the alignment of your jaw, which can, in turn, restore its proper function and appearance and significantly improve your quality of life.

Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is a highly specialized procedure to realign your jaw and teeth in a more functional and attractive position. Typically performed in our state-of-the-art surgery center and under general anesthesia, the procedure can be done on your upper jaw, lower jaw, or chin.  Dr. Mizrahi makes precise incisions inside of your mouth, giving her access to your jawbone without creating visible scarring on your face. She then makes precise cuts in your jawbone and moves the resulting pieces into a better position. Once she’s properly aligned your jaw, she uses screws, wires, rubber bands, and/or bone plates to secure everything in place. As you heal, your bone tissue settles into this new position.

Most patients can return to work within two weeks of their corrective jaw surgery, though it takes 9-12 months for the bones in your face and jaw to fully heal from the surgery. In the few weeks immediately following your procedure, Dr. Mizrahi recommends adopting a diet of soft foods and avoiding strenuous activities.