If your bite feels off, your jaw aches in the morning, or you’ve been told that braces alone can’t fully correct your alignment, you may be a candidate for jaw alignment surgery — also known as orthognathic surgery. For patients across the Salt Lake City metro area, including West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Taylorsville, and Murray, West Valley OMS offers the full spectrum of corrective jaw surgery in one convenient, board-certified practice.

This guide covers everything you need to know before pursuing jaw alignment surgery in Salt Lake City: what it is, who needs it, what the procedure involves, how recovery works, and how to find the right oral and maxillofacial surgeon for your situation.

What Is Jaw Alignment Surgery?

Jaw alignment surgery — clinically called orthognathic surgery — is a surgical procedure that repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct structural skeletal problems that affect your bite, breathing, and facial appearance. Unlike braces, which move teeth within the bone, jaw alignment surgery moves the bones themselves into their correct positions.

Orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS), often in coordination with an orthodontist. Most patients wear braces before and after surgery to fine-tune tooth alignment once the bones are in their new positions.

Who Needs Jaw Alignment Surgery?

Not every bite problem requires surgery — but when the skeletal imbalance is significant, surgery is often the only way to fully correct the issue. Common reasons patients from the Salt Lake City area seek jaw alignment surgery include:

• Severe overbite or underbite — When the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly, even after orthodontic treatment
• Open bite — When the front teeth don’t touch at all when the mouth is closed
• Crossbite — When the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth on one or both sides
• Jaw asymmetry — When one side of the jaw has grown more than the other, causing a crooked appearance
• Chronic jaw pain or TMJ disorders — Structural misalignment is a common cause of persistent jaw joint pain
• Sleep apnea related to jaw position — Moving the jaw forward can significantly improve airway size and reduce apnea events
• Difficulty chewing, biting, or speaking — Functional problems that impact daily life and nutrition

Your orthodontist may refer you to an oral surgeon when they determine that tooth movement alone cannot achieve a functional, stable result. Many patients in West Jordan, South Jordan, and across the Salt Lake Valley receive this referral after years of orthodontic treatment that has plateaued.

Jaw Alignment Surgery at West Valley OMS

West Valley OMS serves patients throughout the greater Salt Lake City region from our office in West Valley City — just minutes from West Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Riverton, and Herriman. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in orthognathic procedures, including:

• LeFort I osteotomy — Repositions the upper jaw to correct vertical and horizontal discrepancies
• Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) — Repositions the lower jaw to correct overbite, underbite, or asymmetry
• Genioplasty (chin surgery) — Repositions the chin for improved facial balance and profile
• Double jaw surgery (bimaxillary osteotomy) — Moves both jaws simultaneously for complex skeletal corrections

We use advanced 3D cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging to precisely plan every surgical case. Digital surgical planning software allows us to simulate your outcomes before a single incision is made — giving you a clear picture of what to expect and giving your surgeon the precision needed for a safe, predictable result.

To learn more about the full orthognathic process at our practice, visit our orthognathic surgery West Valley overview page.

The Jaw Alignment Surgery Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Orthodontic Pre-Treatment

Most patients spend 12–18 months in braces before surgery. This phase aligns the teeth within each jaw so they’ll fit together correctly once the bones are surgically repositioned. Your orthodontist and oral surgeon coordinate throughout this phase.

Step 2: Surgical Planning Consultation

At West Valley OMS, your surgical consultation includes a full clinical exam, 3D CBCT imaging, facial photographs, and dental impressions or digital scans. We use this data to build a precise virtual surgical plan before your procedure date. Patients traveling from areas like Murray, South Jordan, or Riverton will find our West Valley City location central and convenient for these multi-visit planning appointments.

Step 3: The Surgical Procedure

Jaw alignment surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or accredited surgical facility. Incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are no visible external scars. Depending on the complexity of your case, surgery typically takes 2–5 hours. Titanium plates and screws hold the repositioned bones in place while they heal.

Step 4: Initial Recovery (2–4 Weeks)

You can expect moderate swelling, limited jaw movement, and a soft or liquid diet for the first 2–4 weeks. Most patients take 1–2 weeks off work or school. Swelling peaks around day 3–4 and gradually subsides over 6–8 weeks. Pain is typically well-controlled with prescribed medications.

Step 5: Final Orthodontic Refinement

After surgery and initial healing, you’ll return to your orthodontist for 6–12 months of braces to fine-tune the bite. This final phase ensures your teeth settle perfectly into their new skeletal positions.

How Long Does Recovery Take?

Full bony healing takes approximately 3–6 months. Most patients feel largely back to normal within 4–6 weeks, though final swelling can take up to a year to fully resolve. The timeline varies based on the complexity of the procedure, whether one or both jaws were moved, and individual healing factors. Our team at West Valley OMS provides detailed recovery protocols and is available throughout your healing process for any questions or concerns.

Patients from West Jordan and surrounding communities often ask about driving to follow-up appointments during recovery — our West Valley City location is easily accessible from I-215 and 4100 South, typically under 15 minutes from most Salt Lake Valley communities.

Does Insurance Cover Jaw Alignment Surgery?

Jaw alignment surgery is considered medically necessary in most qualifying cases — meaning it may be covered by medical insurance (not just dental insurance) when it’s being done to correct a functional problem such as a severe bite disorder, sleep apnea, or TMJ dysfunction. Coverage varies significantly by plan and insurer.

West Valley OMS works with most major insurers and can assist with pre-authorization documentation to support your claim. Visit our insurance page for more information on navigating coverage for oral surgery procedures.

Jaw Alignment Surgery vs. Braces Alone: How Do You Know Which You Need?

The key question is whether your problem is dental (teeth are misaligned within normal bone structure) or skeletal (the jaw bones themselves are in the wrong position). A cephalometric X-ray and clinical exam by an oral surgeon can make this determination clearly. If the jaw bones are the issue, braces alone will produce a result that is either unstable or incomplete.

Many patients who have worn braces for years without achieving a stable bite are surprised to learn that surgery would have been the more effective path from the beginning. If you’re in this situation, a consultation with West Valley OMS can provide clarity.

Our guide to finding the right oral surgeon in Utah covers what credentials to look for and what questions to ask at your consultation.

Why Salt Lake City Patients Choose West Valley OMS

West Valley OMS has served the greater Salt Lake City area for years, earning a reputation for surgical precision, compassionate care, and clear communication. Patients from West Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Riverton, Herriman, and South Jordan consistently choose our practice because:

• Our surgeons are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with advanced fellowship training in orthognathic surgery
• We use 3D CBCT imaging and digital surgical planning for the most precise outcomes available
• Our facility is conveniently located in West Valley City with easy freeway access from across the Salt Lake Valley
• We coordinate directly with your orthodontist to ensure seamless pre- and post-surgical care
• We accept most major medical and dental insurance plans and provide thorough pre-authorization support

If you’ve been referred for jaw surgery or want to explore whether you’re a candidate, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. You can also review our jaw surgery Taylorsville resource page for more on serving patients from the south Salt Lake Valley, or read about full mouth reconstruction in West Valley City if your situation involves more comprehensive restorative needs.

Schedule a Jaw Alignment Surgery Consultation in Salt Lake City

If you’re experiencing bite problems, jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or have been told you may need jaw surgery, the next step is a consultation with an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. West Valley OMS is located at 3715 W 4100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120, serving patients from throughout Salt Lake City, West Jordan, South Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Herriman, and Riverton.

Call us at (801) 964-9600 or visit our appointment page to request a consultation. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you understand whether jaw alignment surgery is the right solution for your needs.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Jaw alignment surgery is a significant procedure. Please consult with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine whether surgery is appropriate for your individual situation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Jaw Alignment Surgery in Salt Lake City

How do I know if I need jaw alignment surgery or just braces?

The distinction comes down to whether your problem is dental (teeth only) or skeletal (jaw bones). If your orthodontist has told you that braces alone can’t fully correct your bite, or if you have a significant overbite, underbite, or open bite, jaw alignment surgery may be necessary. A cephalometric X-ray and consultation with an oral surgeon can provide a definitive answer.

How long does recovery from jaw alignment surgery take?

Most patients take 1–2 weeks off work or school after surgery. Soft-food restrictions typically last 4–6 weeks. Bony healing takes 3–6 months, and final swelling may take up to a year to fully resolve. Our team at West Valley OMS provides personalized recovery guidance throughout the process.

Is jaw alignment surgery covered by insurance in Utah?

When jaw alignment surgery is performed to correct a medically necessary functional condition — such as a severe bite disorder, sleep apnea, or TMJ dysfunction — it is often covered by medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Coverage depends on your specific plan. West Valley OMS can assist with pre-authorization documentation to support your insurance claim.

Are there visible scars after jaw alignment surgery?

No. All incisions for orthognathic surgery are made inside the mouth, so there are no external scars on the face or neck. The titanium plates and screws used to stabilize the repositioned bones are small, typically not palpable, and rarely need to be removed.

How far in advance should I plan for jaw alignment surgery?

Most patients require 12–18 months of pre-surgical orthodontic treatment before surgery is performed, plus 6–12 months of post-surgical braces afterward. The surgical consultation itself should happen early in this process — ideally before or shortly after braces are placed — so your orthodontist and surgeon can coordinate the full treatment plan from the start.