If you’ve been told you need jaw surgery — or if your dentist has mentioned the words “orthognathic surgery” — it can feel overwhelming. For residents of Taylorsville, UT and surrounding communities like West Valley City, Murray, Herriman, and South Jordan, West Valley OMS provides board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgical care just minutes from your front door. This guide walks you through what jaw surgery actually involves, who needs it, and why patients across the Salt Lake Valley consistently choose West Valley OMS for their care.

What Is Jaw Surgery?

Jaw surgery, clinically known as orthognathic surgery, is a corrective procedure that repositions one or both jaws to improve function, facial balance, and long-term oral health. It is performed by board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons — not general dentists — and is typically completed in a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia.

Orthognathic surgery is not a cosmetic luxury. In most cases, it is a medically necessary correction for skeletal problems that braces alone cannot fix. If your bite is off because your jaws didn’t develop in proper alignment, no amount of orthodontic treatment will solve the underlying structural issue. Jaw surgery corrects the foundation so that orthodontics — and your daily life — can work the way they should.

Who Needs Jaw Surgery?

Patients from Taylorsville, Murray, and West Valley City are referred to West Valley OMS for jaw surgery for a wide variety of reasons. Common indicators include:

• Severe overbite or underbite — when the upper and lower jaws are significantly misaligned
• Open bite — front teeth don’t touch when the back teeth are closed
• Crossbite — upper and lower teeth don’t meet correctly side to side
• Chronic jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction — caused by an imbalanced bite putting stress on the joint
• Difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing — functional impairment that affects daily eating
• Sleep apnea related to jaw structure — in select cases, jaw surgery can significantly improve airway volume
• Facial asymmetry — one side of the jaw growing more than the other

The decision to proceed with jaw surgery is always made collaboratively between the patient, their orthodontist, and the oral surgeon. If you’ve been seeing an orthodontist in Taylorsville or the West Valley area and they’ve recommended a surgical evaluation, that referral carries real weight.

The Jaw Surgery Process: What to Expect

Jaw surgery is a process — not a single appointment. Here is what the typical timeline looks like for West Valley OMS patients coming from Taylorsville, UT and nearby communities:

1. Surgical Consultation

Your first appointment at West Valley OMS involves a thorough evaluation: 3D cone-beam CT imaging, dental impressions, facial photographs, and a detailed review of your medical and dental history. The surgeon reviews your bite, jaw structure, and airway to develop a precise surgical plan. This consultation is typically coordinated with your orthodontist.

2. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

Before surgery, your orthodontist will spend 12–18 months aligning your teeth within each arch independently. This phase feels counterintuitive — your bite may actually feel worse before surgery — but it positions your teeth so that once the jaws are repositioned, everything will fit together correctly.

3. The Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia, typically lasting 2–4 hours depending on whether one or both jaws are being repositioned. The surgery is done entirely inside the mouth in most cases, so there are no external scars. The surgeon uses small titanium plates and screws to hold the repositioned jaw in its new location. Most patients spend one night in the hospital for monitoring.

4. Recovery

The initial recovery period is 2–3 weeks of restricted diet (soft foods and liquids) and limited activity. Most patients return to school or desk work within 2–3 weeks. Swelling peaks around day 3–5 and gradually improves over 6–8 weeks. Full bone healing takes approximately 3–6 months, during which your orthodontist will complete the final phase of braces to perfect your bite.

5. Post-Surgical Orthodontics

After the jaws have healed, orthodontic finishing takes another 6–12 months. When treatment is complete, patients have a functional, balanced bite — often for the first time in their lives.

Why Taylorsville Patients Choose West Valley OMS

West Valley OMS is located just a short drive from Taylorsville, making it one of the most accessible oral surgery practices in the Salt Lake Valley for jaw surgery consultations. Here’s what sets the practice apart:

• Board-certified surgeons: West Valley OMS’s surgeons have completed four to six additional years of hospital-based surgical training beyond dental school — the gold standard for orthognathic and maxillofacial procedures.
• Advanced 3D imaging on-site: Cone-beam CT technology allows surgeons to virtually plan your surgery before you ever enter the operating room, improving precision and predictability.
• Collaborative orthodontic coordination: The team works closely with your referring orthodontist throughout the process, so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Multilingual staff: West Valley OMS serves the diverse Taylorsville and West Valley City communities with Spanish-speaking staff.
• Most major insurance accepted: Many jaw surgery cases are covered by medical insurance when functional indications are documented. The team helps patients navigate medical billing.

Patients from Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, and Murray also regularly make the drive to West Valley OMS for orthognathic surgery — the combination of surgical expertise and proximity to the western Salt Lake Valley makes it the clear choice for this specialized procedure.

Jaw Surgery and Orthodontics: A Team Effort

One of the most common questions patients from Taylorsville ask is: “Can’t braces just fix my bite without surgery?” In mild cases, yes. But when jaw misalignment is skeletal — meaning the bones themselves are in the wrong position — orthodontics can only move teeth within the existing bone. Surgery is the only way to correct the underlying jaw position.

If you’ve been in braces for years without achieving the bite your orthodontist was hoping for, or if your orthodontist has mentioned that your case may require surgical intervention, it’s time to schedule a consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The earlier a surgical plan is established, the more efficient the overall treatment timeline will be.

For more on what the orthognathic surgery process looks like at West Valley OMS, see our detailed guide: Orthognathic Surgery in West Valley, UT – What to Expect & When You Need It.

Related Services at West Valley OMS

Many patients who come to West Valley OMS for a jaw surgery evaluation also have questions about related treatments. The practice offers a comprehensive range of oral and maxillofacial surgical services:

• Dental implants in West Valley, UT — for patients who have lost teeth due to bite problems or trauma
• Finding the right oral surgeon in the Salt Lake Valley — guidance on what to look for in a surgical team
• Dental implants in West Jordan, UT — serving patients throughout the south Salt Lake Valley

Frequently Asked Questions: Jaw Surgery in Taylorsville, UT

How do I know if I need jaw surgery?

The most reliable way to know is a consultation with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Common signs include a severe bite discrepancy, difficulty chewing or speaking, chronic jaw pain, or a facial asymmetry that has been noted by your dentist or orthodontist. Many patients in Taylorsville are referred by their general dentist or orthodontist when braces alone won’t be sufficient.

Is jaw surgery covered by insurance?

When jaw surgery is deemed medically necessary — which it is in most orthognathic cases — it is typically billed through medical insurance rather than dental insurance. West Valley OMS’s team works with patients to document functional indications and submit to medical insurers. Coverage varies by plan, so an insurance review is part of the consultation process.

How long does recovery take after jaw surgery?

Most patients are on a liquid and soft-food diet for 2–3 weeks and return to normal activity within 3–4 weeks. Visible swelling resolves over 6–8 weeks, and complete bone healing takes 3–6 months. The full treatment process — including pre- and post-surgical orthodontics — typically spans 2–3 years total.

Does jaw surgery leave visible scars?

In the vast majority of cases, no. Orthognathic surgery is performed through incisions inside the mouth, so there are no external facial scars. The titanium hardware used to secure the repositioned jaw is small, low-profile, and permanent — most patients never notice it.

How far is West Valley OMS from Taylorsville?

West Valley OMS is located in West Valley City, which is adjacent to Taylorsville — typically a 5–12 minute drive depending on your starting point. The practice is easily accessible from major routes serving Taylorsville, Murray, and the broader Salt Lake Valley.

Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every patient’s situation is unique. Please schedule a consultation with a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon to discuss your specific needs and treatment options.