Braces
Advanced fixed brace solutions for patients of all ages who require precise tooth movement or complex bite corrections.
Jaw Surgery
Specialist Orthognathic Care for Balanced Aesthetics and Function
Jaw surgery—medically known as orthognathic surgery—is a specialised treatment used to correct significant discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws. When orthodontic braces alone cannot fully resolve severe bite misalignments or skeletal facial imbalances, jaw surgery offers a comprehensive solution. At Bamford Dental Practice, we work in close collaboration with leading maxillofacial surgeons to realign your jaw structure, dramatically improving your bite, facial symmetry, and overall quality of life.
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Multi-stage journey
A Collaborative, Step-by-Step Approach to Your Transformation
Orthognathic treatment is a carefully planned, multi-stage journey that combines specialised orthodontics with surgical expertise. Treatment typically begins with a phase of fixed braces to align the teeth within each individual jaw arch. Once your teeth are properly positioned, the surgical procedure realigns the jaw bones into their correct positions. Following a recovery period, a brief final phase of orthodontics fine-tunes your bite, ensuring that your upper and lower teeth meet together perfectly for a stable, long-lasting result.
Restoring Comfort, Speech, and Long-Term Oral Health
Correcting severe jaw misalignment delivers benefits that extend far beyond a straighter smile. Misaligned jaws can cause chronic chewing difficulty, uneven tooth wear, joint pain (TMJ issues), speech impediments, and breathing restrictions such as sleep apnea. By bringing your jaws into proper alignment, orthognathic surgery relieves physical strain on the facial joints and muscles, restores optimal bite function, and enhances your natural facial profile for a dramatic boost in self-confidence.
Benefits of Jaw Surgery at Bamford Dental Practice
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Corrects Complex Skeletal Misalignments: Resolves severe overbites, underbites, open bites, and facial asymmetries that braces alone cannot fix.
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Restores Chewing & Bite Function: Realigns the jaws to make eating and chewing comfortable, balanced, and efficient.
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Relieves Jaw Strain & TMJ Discomfort: Reduces excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joints and surrounding facial muscles.
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Enhances Facial Profile & Aesthetics: Harmonizes facial proportions for a balanced, symmetrical profile and a renewed smile.
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Improves Breathing & Speech: Can help open restricted airways to alleviate sleep apnea and correct speech difficulties caused by jaw positioning.
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Collaborative Specialist Care: Expertly coordinated care combining our experienced orthodontic team with top maxillofacial surgical specialists.
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
Jaw surgery may be recommended when the upper and lower jaws do not meet correctly and the difference is too significant to correct with braces alone. Signs can include a severe overbite or underbite, an open bite where the front teeth do not meet, difficulty biting or chewing, jaw pain or noticeable facial imbalance. The only way to know for certain is a thorough assessment, and we will always explore whether orthodontic treatment alone could achieve your goals first.
Jaw surgery is usually carried out once the jaws have finished growing, which is typically from the late teens onwards. For many patients, this is around 17 to 18 years old, but growth patterns vary from person to person. Planning and orthodontic preparation can often begin before this point, and there is no upper age limit for treatment, provided you are in good general health.
Orthognathic surgery may be available on the NHS when it is needed to correct a significant functional problem, such as difficulty eating, speaking or breathing, rather than for purely cosmetic reasons. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis. At your consultation, we will explain the options available to you, and if surgery is recommended, we can discuss referral to a maxillofacial surgical team.
Jaw surgery is part of a carefully planned, multi-stage treatment, so the overall process usually takes between two and three years. This typically includes a period of fixed braces to prepare your teeth, the surgery itself, a recovery period, and a final phase of orthodontics to fine-tune your bite. We will give you a personalised timeline once your treatment plan has been agreed.
Jaw surgery is carried out in hospital under general anaesthetic, and most patients stay in for one or two nights. It is normal to experience swelling, stiffness and some numbness afterwards, which gradually improve over the following weeks. You will need to follow a soft diet for a period of time, and most people take several weeks off work or education. Your surgical team will give you detailed aftercare advice and support throughout your recovery.
In most cases, jaw surgery is carried out from inside the mouth, so there are no visible scars on the face. Your surgeon will discuss the specific procedure planned for you, including what to expect during healing, at your surgical consultation.
Your Jaw Surgery Patient Journey
Jaw surgery is a significant decision, and we want you to feel informed and supported at every stage. At Bamford Dental Practice, we work closely with experienced maxillofacial surgeons to coordinate your care, guiding you from your first assessment right through to your final result.
1.
Your Consultation
Your journey begins with a detailed orthodontic assessment, where we take time to understand your concerns and how your bite affects your daily life. We will examine your teeth, jaws and facial profile, and take a 3D digital scan along with any X-rays or records needed for planning. If we believe jaw surgery could benefit you, we will explain why, discuss the alternatives and talk you through what the treatment involves. Where appropriate, we will arrange a joint consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon so that your treatment can be planned together.
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Your Treatment
Treatment usually begins with fixed braces to align your teeth within each jaw and prepare them for surgery. During this stage, you will visit us regularly for adjustments, and we will work closely with your surgical team to confirm when you are ready. Your jaw surgery will then be carried out in hospital by a specialist maxillofacial surgeon. Once you have recovered, a final phase of orthodontic treatment fine-tunes the way your teeth meet, helping you achieve a comfortable, stable and well-balanced bite.
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Your Aftercare
When your braces are removed, we will provide retainers to help hold your teeth in their new position, along with clear advice on how and when to wear them. Your surgical team will also see you for follow-up appointments to check that your jaw is healing well. We will continue to monitor your bite and oral health at regular check-ups, offering ongoing support and reassurance long after your active treatment is complete.
Why Choose Bamford Dental Practice?
At Bamford Dental Practice, we understand that considering jaw surgery can feel daunting, which is why we take the time to explain every option clearly and support you throughout your treatment. Our experienced orthodontic team works in close collaboration with skilled maxillofacial surgeons, ensuring that your braces and surgery are carefully planned and coordinated from start to finish. As a dedicated dental and orthodontic practice in Rochdale, we use advanced digital technology, including iTero® 3D scanning, to support accurate treatment planning. Most importantly, we focus on what matters to you, whether that is eating comfortably, easing jaw strain or feeling more confident in your smile, and guide you towards a result that improves both function and appearance.
Get In Touch Today
Whether you are ready to book an appointment or would simply like to find out more, our friendly team at Bamford Dental Practice is here to help. We are happy to answer your questions, talk you through your options and find an appointment time that suits you. Call us on 01706 527700, or request a call back and a member of our team will be in touch.
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