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, South Jordan, and Riverton, West Valley OMS provides board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgical care just minutes from your front door. This updated 2026 guide walks you through what jaw surgery actually involves, who qualifies, what it costs, 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.

For a broader overview of what orthognathic surgery involves at West Valley OMS, see our dedicated guide: Orthognathic Surgery in West Valley, UT – What to Expect & When You Need It.

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, maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) jaw surgery can significantly expand airway volume and reduce or eliminate obstructive sleep apnea
• 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.

Jaw Surgery and Sleep Apnea: What Taylorsville Patients Should Know

One increasingly common reason patients seek jaw surgery is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When the jaw is set too far back, the tongue and soft tissue can partially obstruct the airway during sleep, causing breathing disruptions that affect sleep quality, cardiovascular health, and daytime function.

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery — a form of orthognathic surgery that moves both jaws forward — is one of the most effective surgical treatments for moderate to severe sleep apnea. Studies published in 2024 and 2025 continue to show success rates exceeding 85% for MMA in appropriately selected patients. For Taylorsville and Murray residents who have tried CPAP without success, a jaw surgery evaluation with West Valley OMS may be worth scheduling.

If sleep apnea is a factor in your case, your West Valley OMS surgeon will coordinate with your sleep physician to ensure the surgical plan addresses both your bite correction and airway goals.

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 and can be scheduled from Taylorsville in minutes — West Valley City is just 5–12 minutes away depending on your starting point.

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 days 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.

How Much Does Jaw Surgery Cost in Utah in 2026?

Jaw surgery cost is one of the most common questions West Valley OMS receives from Taylorsville, Murray, and South Jordan patients. The honest answer is that cost varies substantially depending on the complexity of the case, whether one or both jaws are moved, the facility used, and your insurance coverage.

Here’s what patients in the Salt Lake Valley can generally expect in 2026:

• Surgical fee: Typically $20,000–$40,000 for the surgeon and surgical team, depending on case complexity
• Facility/anesthesia fee: Usually billed separately by the hospital or surgery center
• Pre- and post-surgical orthodontics: $5,000–$8,000 in most cases
• Imaging and records: Typically $500–$1,500

The most important cost consideration: insurance coverage. When jaw surgery is medically necessary — which it is in most orthognathic cases — it is billed through medical insurance, not dental insurance. This is a critical distinction. Many patients who assume jaw surgery is unaffordable discover that their medical plan covers a substantial portion after deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are met. West Valley OMS works with patients from the initial consultation to document functional indications, prepare prior authorization requests, and navigate the medical billing process.

Patients in Taylorsville, Herriman, Riverton, and the broader Salt Lake Valley are encouraged to contact West Valley OMS to discuss insurance options before assuming cost is a barrier.

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 between offices.
• Multilingual staff: West Valley OMS serves the diverse Taylorsville and West Valley City communities with Spanish-speaking staff.
• Most major insurance accepted: The team helps patients navigate medical billing and insurance authorization for jaw surgery cases.

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. The earlier a surgical plan is established, the more efficient the overall treatment timeline will be.

Adult patients considering jaw surgery sometimes also have questions about braces and alignment options. Our guide on adult braces in West Valley, UT covers what to expect from the orthodontic side of the process.

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 Valley, UT – 2026 guide to cost, recovery & choosing the right surgeon
• Oral surgeon in West Jordan, UT – expert oral surgery care

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 in Utah?

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. Utah-based patients with medical plans through employers or the state marketplace have had varying levels of coverage, and our team can help you understand your specific benefits before committing to a treatment plan.

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.

Can jaw surgery help with sleep apnea?

Yes, in select cases. Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery moves both jaws forward, expanding the airway and reducing obstruction. It is one of the most effective surgical interventions for obstructive sleep apnea in patients who are not well served by CPAP therapy. West Valley OMS surgeons will evaluate your anatomy and coordinate with your sleep specialist to determine whether jaw surgery is appropriate for your airway concerns.

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. Patients from Murray, South Jordan, Herriman, and Riverton also find the practice conveniently accessible from I-215 and Bangerter Highway.

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.