Corrective Jaw Surgery

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What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a specialized procedure that repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct skeletal abnormalities that cannot be treated with orthodontics alone. Unlike treatments that focus only on tooth movement, surgical correction addresses the underlying jaw structure responsible for bite irregularities and facial imbalance.

We recommend treatment when jaw discrepancies interfere with normal oral function, facial proportions, airway health, or overall quality of life. Depending on the patient’s condition, surgery may involve repositioning one jaw or both jaws to achieve ideal alignment and stability.

Our approach combines comprehensive diagnostics, digital imaging, and collaborative treatment planning to ensure every procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy and long-term goals. As specialists in maxillofacial surgery, we focus on delivering predictable functional improvements while creating natural-looking facial aesthetics.

Before and after educational graphic of a woman undergoing corrective jaw surgery to fix a lower jaw protrusion (underbite), showing improved facial balance, bite alignment, and a confident smile.

Patients looking for corrective jaw surgery in Miami often choose Love Your Jaws because of our commitment to individualized treatment, advanced surgical planning, and exceptional patient care from consultation through recovery.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Miami

Living with a misaligned jaw affects far more than your smile. Difficulty chewing, speech problems, chronic jaw pain, breathing disorders, facial imbalance, and premature tooth wear can all be signs that the upper and lower jaws are not functioning together properly.

At Love Your Jaws, we believe every patient deserves a healthy bite, balanced facial appearance, and the confidence that comes from optimal oral function. Our team specializes in advanced corrective jaw surgery, delivering highly personalized treatment plans designed to restore both function and facial harmony.

Led by Dr. Kroum Dimitrov, one of the leading oral surgeons in South Florida, we combine years of surgical expertise with innovative technology to provide exceptional outcomes for patients with even the most complex jaw conditions. Whether you have been referred by your orthodontist or are seeking answers after years of jaw discomfort, we guide you through every stage of treatment with precision, compassion, and personalized care.

Many patients searching online for an orthognathic surgeon near me are looking for more than cosmetic improvement—they want a permanent solution that enhances their quality of life. Our goal is to deliver results that improve the way you eat, breathe, speak, and smile while creating long-term stability and facial balanced with treatment together.

What Conditions Can Corrective Jaw Surgery Treat?

Jaw discrepancies exist on a wide spectrum, and every patient presents with unique anatomical challenges. At Love Your Jaws, we evaluate not only the bite but also facial balance, airway function, jaw movement, and long-term stability before recommending treatment.

Surgery for Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower jaw extends forward beyond the upper jaw, often making chewing, speaking, and biting more difficult. In moderate to severe cases, underbite surgery provides a long-term solution by repositioning the jaws into their proper relationship.

Patients requiring underbite jaw surgery often experience significant improvements in bite function, facial proportions, and overall oral health. Correcting the skeletal imbalance also reduces unnecessary stress on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles.

Surgery for Overbite

A severe overbite can contribute to excessive tooth wear, speech difficulties, jaw discomfort, and aesthetic concerns. When orthodontic treatment alone cannot resolve the underlying skeletal discrepancy, overbite surgery may be recommended.

Through carefully planned overbite jaw surgery, we restore harmony between the upper and lower jaws while improving both appearance and function.

Surgery for Crossbite

Crossbites occur when portions of the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth due to improper jaw development. Surgical crossbite correction helps establish proper occlusion, improves chewing efficiency, and supports long-term oral health.

Depending on the severity of the discrepancy, treatment may involve repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to create a stable, functional bite.

Surgery for Facial Asymmetry

Facial imbalance is often caused by differences in jaw growth that become more noticeable over time. Our facial asymmetry surgery procedures are designed to improve symmetry while simultaneously restoring optimal bite function.

Patients considering jaw asymmetry surgery frequently report not only aesthetic improvements but also better chewing efficiency, enhanced speech, and greater self-confidence following treatment.

Double Jaw Surgery

Some patients require repositioning of both jaws to fully correct complex skeletal discrepancies. Double jaw surgery addresses severe bite abnormalities, facial imbalance, and airway concerns that cannot be resolved through a single-jaw procedure.

For patients seeking double jaw surgery in Miami, our team develops highly individualized surgical plans that prioritize both functional correction and facial aesthetics.

Chin Surgery

In selected cases, chin repositioning can complement jaw surgery to improve facial balance and profile harmony. When combined with orthognathic procedures, chin surgery enhances the overall aesthetic outcome while maintaining proper facial proportions.

What Are the Benefits of Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Corrective jaw surgery offers life-changing improvements that extend far beyond appearance. By addressing the underlying skeletal relationship between the jaws, we can significantly improve everyday function while enhancing long-term oral health.

One of the most important advantages is jaw misalignment correction, allowing the teeth to meet properly during chewing and speaking. Patients often notice immediate improvements in bite efficiency, facial balance, and overall comfort.

Many individuals also experience relief from chronic jaw strain caused by improper alignment. Carefully planned jaw alignment procedures reduce excessive stress placed on the teeth, facial muscles, and temporomandibular joints, helping create a healthier and more stable bite.

Beyond functional improvements, surgery can dramatically enhance facial harmony. Repositioning the jaws creates more balanced facial proportions, improves profile aesthetics, and often increases patient confidence in both personal and professional settings.

For patients suffering from airway obstruction, corrective procedures may also improve breathing by enlarging the airway, providing benefits that extend well beyond oral health.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Not every bite problem requires surgery, but patients with significant skeletal discrepancies often benefit from a comprehensive surgical evaluation.

You may be an ideal candidate if you experience persistent bite problems, chronic jaw discomfort, facial imbalance, difficulty chewing, speech concerns, obstructive breathing issues, or jaw abnormalities that orthodontics alone cannot correct.

Treatment frequently involves close collaboration between your orthodontist and oral surgeon to ensure optimal positioning of both the teeth and jaws before surgery is performed.

Some patients require repositioning of only one jaw, while others may benefit from upper jaw surgery, lower jaw surgery, or combined procedures depending on the complexity of their condition.

At Love Your Jaws, every patient undergoes a comprehensive clinical examination, advanced imaging, and personalized treatment planning before any surgical recommendation is made. Dr. Kroum Dimitrov carefully evaluates facial proportions, bite relationships, airway anatomy, and overall oral health to determine the most predictable path toward long-term success.

How Is Corrective Jaw Surgery Performed?

Every successful outcome begins with careful planning. Before surgery, we perform a comprehensive evaluation that includes advanced digital imaging, 3D facial analysis, bite assessment, and collaboration with your orthodontist when necessary. Surgery can take one to four hours depending on complexity. This allows us to understand not only how your jaws function today, but also how they should function after treatment.

During surgery, carefully planned bone cuts are made to reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both into their ideal anatomical relationship. When upper jaw correction is needed, a maxillary osteotomy such as Le Fort I is used, and Le Fort I osteotomy corrects the upper jaw alignment. A bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is used to adjust the lower jaw position. In lower jaw correction, a mandibular osteotomy allows the jaw to be moved forward or repositioned for improved function and facial balance. Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment may involve repositioning a single jaw or performing jaw bone surgery on both jaws to achieve optimal facial balance and bite function. In severe cases, distraction osteogenesis may be used to encourage gradual bone growth in underdeveloped jaw bones.

Once the jaws are moved into their new position, they are secured using modern titanium fixation systems that provide long-term stability while allowing the bones to heal naturally. Throughout every procedure, our objective is to improve function without compromising facial aesthetics.

At Love Your Jaws, Dr. Kroum Dimitrov combines extensive surgical experience with meticulous treatment planning to deliver highly predictable outcomes while minimizing unnecessary trauma to surrounding tissues.

Orthognathic Surgery

How does 3D digital planning technology improve the precision?

Modern corrective jaw surgery has evolved dramatically thanks to digital technology.

At Love Your Jaws, we incorporate virtual surgical planning jaw technology into complex cases to create highly accurate three-dimensional surgical simulations before entering the operating room. Using advanced CBCT imaging, X rays, and digital models of the patient’s facial skeleton and bite, we can evaluate anatomy from every angle and precisely plan each surgical movement.

This digital workflow allows us to visualize the final jaw position, evaluate facial balance, optimize airway improvements, and minimize unnecessary adjustments during surgery. Every movement is carefully measured to maximize both functional and aesthetic outcomes.

As part of this process, we fabricate a customized orthognathic surgery splint, which serves as a highly accurate guide during surgery and helps position the jaws exactly as planned. This technology improves surgical precision, increases efficiency, and enhances predictability while giving patients greater confidence in their treatment.

Advanced digital planning is one of the reasons Love Your Jaws is recognized for delivering sophisticated jaw surgery with exceptional attention to detail.

How Do I Prepare for Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Preparation is one of the most important factors influencing surgical success. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan that outlines each phase of care well before the day of surgery.

Preparation often begins months in advance with orthodontic treatment designed to position the teeth correctly before the jaws are surgically aligned. During your consultations, we review your medical history, obtain detailed imaging, explain every stage of treatment, and answer all of your questions so you feel confident moving forward.

We also discuss nutrition, medications, recovery planning, and lifestyle recommendations that support a smooth healing process. Because every case is unique, our team develops an individualized roadmap that helps patients understand exactly what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

Our philosophy is simple: informed patients recover with greater confidence.

What Is Recovery Like After Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Recovery StageTimelineWhat to Expect
Hospital stay1–3 daysMost patients stay in the hospital for one to three days and may experience numbness and pain as well as swelling.
First several daysDays 1–7Facial swelling, temporary dietary modifications, and reduced physical activity. Pain-relieving medications may be needed for several weeks.
Liquid diet phase~1 monthPatients are often on a liquid diet for about a month before advancing from liquid and soft foods to a more normal diet according to their surgeon’s recommendations.
Initial jaw healing~6 weeksInitial jaw healing takes about six weeks, with steady improvement week after week as swelling decreases and normal jaw function returns.
Early healing4–8 weeksRecovery time for early healing often ranges from four to eight weeks.
Full healing9–12 monthsFull healing commonly continues for 9 to 12 months, with functional benefits of improved jaw alignment.
Follow-up careOngoingRegular follow-up appointments allow our team to monitor healing, evaluate bite stability, and ensure that recovery continues according to plan.

How Much Does Corrective Jaw Surgery Cost in Miami?

Every corrective jaw surgery procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy and treatment objectives, making individualized treatment planning essential before discussing fees.

The overall corrective jaw surgery cost depends on several factors, including the complexity of the skeletal discrepancy, whether one or both jaws require repositioning, the need for orthodontic treatment, hospital and general anesthesia requirements, and any complementary procedures that may be recommended.

Patients frequently ask about orthognathic surgery costs during their initial consultation. Corrective jaw surgery may cost between $20,000 and $40,000, though online estimates only offer a general reference point and exact pricing depends on a comprehensive clinical examination and a fully customized treatment plan.

Our team also discusses financing options and insurance considerations whenever applicable so patients clearly understand every aspect of their investment before treatment begins.

Which Miami Areas Do We Serve for Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Love Your Jaws proudly welcomes patients from throughout Miami and South Florida. Although we provide treatment from one state-of-the-art surgical center, patients regularly travel from neighboring communities because of our expertise in complex jaw correction procedures.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in South Miami

Patients from South Miami trust our team for personalized treatment plans focused on restoring bite function, facial balance, and long-term oral health.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Coral Gables

Residents of Coral Gables choose Love Your Jaws for advanced surgical care supported by modern technology and individualized treatment planning.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Brickell

Many patients from Brickell appreciate our comprehensive approach to diagnosis, digital planning, and highly specialized jaw surgery procedures.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Key Largo

Patients from Key Largo travel to our Miami surgical center seeking advanced orthognathic treatment from an experienced surgical team.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Pinecrest

Residents of Pinecrest benefit from personalized care that combines clinical precision with compassionate patient support throughout every stage of treatment.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Fisher Island

Patients from Fisher Island value our expertise in complex skeletal corrections and our commitment to achieving natural, functional, and lasting results.

Corrective Jaw Surgery in Coconut Grove

Many Coconut Grove residents choose Love Your Jaws because of our reputation for excellence in advanced jaw correction and facial surgery.

Patients searching online for orthognathic surgery in Miami often discover Love Your Jaws because of our comprehensive approach, advanced technology, and exceptional patient outcomes.

Why Choose Love Your Jaws for Corrective Jaw Surgery in Miami?

Corrective jaw surgery requires exceptional surgical expertise, meticulous planning, and a deep understanding of facial anatomy. Choosing the right surgical team can have a lifelong impact on both function and appearance.

At Love Your Jaws, we combine advanced diagnostics, evidence-based surgical techniques, and fully customized treatment planning to deliver outstanding results for every patient. Our mission is not simply to reposition the jaws – it is to restore confidence, improve oral health, enhance facial harmony, and help patients enjoy a better quality of life.

Dr. Kroum Dimitrov is recognized by many patients as one of the leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons in South Florida. His experience treating complex skeletal discrepancies, combined with his commitment to precision and patient-centered care, allows us to successfully manage cases ranging from moderate jaw irregularities to highly complex facial corrections.

Patients searching for a trusted maxillofacial surgeon in Miami frequently choose Love Your Jaws because of our ability to provide comprehensive care under one roof – from diagnosis and digital planning to surgery and long-term follow-up.

Whether you require treatment for bite dysfunction, skeletal imbalance, facial asymmetry, or complex jaw deformities, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve predictable, long-lasting results with the highest level of safety and professionalism.

From your first consultation through your final follow-up appointment, we remain committed to delivering exceptional surgical care that reflects the highest standards of modern oral and maxillofacial surgery. At Love Your Jaws, we are proud to help patients throughout Miami restore healthy jaw function, improve facial balance, and smile with greater confidence for years to come.

FAQ

Corrective jaw surgery is typically recommended after jaw growth is complete, usually around ages 17–18 for females and 18–21 for males. However, every patient develops differently, so the ideal timing depends on skeletal maturity, bite alignment, and overall oral health. During your consultation, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the most appropriate time for treatment.

In many cases, yes. Orthodontic treatment before surgery helps position the teeth correctly so the jaws can be aligned properly during the procedure. Some patients also require a shorter period of orthodontic treatment afterward for final adjustments to tooth alignment and bite refinement. We work closely with your orthodontist throughout the entire process.

Yes. When jaw misalignment contributes to a narrow airway, corrective jaw surgery may improve airflow and make breathing easier, particularly during sleep. For selected patients, surgical jaw repositioning can significantly reduce symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea and improve overall sleep quality.

The results of corrective jaw surgery are intended to be permanent. Once the jaws have healed in their new position and orthodontic treatment is complete, patients typically enjoy lifelong improvements in bite function, facial balance, and jaw stability. Maintaining good oral health and attending regular dental checkups help preserve these long-term results.

Yes, but in a natural and balanced way. Because the procedure repositions the jawbones, it can also change related facial features and improve the patient’s appearance with better symmetry, a more harmonious profile, and more balanced facial proportions. Every surgical plan is customized to enhance both function and appearance while preserving your unique facial characteristics.

Immediately after surgery, patients typically begin with liquids and puréed foods, and keeping the mouth clean during this period is also important for healing before gradually progressing to soft foods as recovery continues. Foods such as smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and soft pasta are commonly recommended. Our team provides detailed nutritional guidelines to support a safe and comfortable recovery.

Recovery varies from patient to patient, but many individuals return to work or school within two to four weeks, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the nature of their daily activities. Strenuous exercise and contact sports should be postponed until your surgeon confirms that healing has progressed appropriately.

For patients whose symptoms are caused by jaw misalignment or abnormal bite mechanics, corrective jaw surgery may significantly reduce chronic jaw pain, muscle tension, facial fatigue, and certain types of headaches. During your evaluation, we determine whether your symptoms are related to skeletal alignment and whether surgery is an appropriate solution.

Yes. Some patients who previously completed orthodontic treatment later discover that skeletal jaw discrepancies continue to affect their bite or facial balance. In these situations, corrective jaw surgery may still be recommended, often in combination with additional orthodontic refinement to achieve the most stable and functional outcome.

Your first consultation includes a comprehensive clinical examination, digital imaging, bite analysis, and a detailed discussion of your symptoms, goals, and treatment options. Dr. Kroum Dimitrov carefully evaluates your facial anatomy and jaw function before creating a personalized surgical plan. We also explain every step of the process, answer your questions, and ensure you feel fully informed before making any treatment decisions.

Why Choose Dr. Dimitrov

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Elite Training: Earned his DMD from the University of Connecticut and completed residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident.

Proven Leadership: Awarded the prestigious Professor’s Cup for excellence in surgery, patient care, and academic achievement.

Meet Dr.Kroum Dimitrov