Procedures
At San Diego Maxillofacial Surgery, our expert team provides a comprehensive scope of surgical procedures to help you achieve a healthy, functional, and beautiful bite and smile.
lower jaW procedures
The lower jaw plays a crucial role in chewing, speaking, and overall facial balance. Our lower jaw procedures address functional and aesthetic concerns, ensuring a harmonious bite and improved jaw alignment. With advanced surgical techniques, we aim to provide transformative results tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO)
Corrects alignment issues in the lower jaw, including midline discrepancies and asymmetric jaws, to improve function and appearance.
Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy (IVRO)
A refined technique to reposition the lower jaw.
Subapical osteotomy
Adjusts smaller sections of the jawbone for orthodontic or aesthetic needs.
Jawline enhancement with mandibular implants
Enhances the contour and definition of the jawline with precisely placed implants for a more balanced and sculpted appearance.
Upper Jaw Procedures
The upper jaw supports your bite, facial structure, and even your breathing. Our upper jaw procedures are designed to correct misalignment, enhance facial harmony, and address complex concerns like crowding or airway issues. Using advanced techniques, we help patients achieve improved function and aesthetics.
LeFort 1, single piece
Adjusts the upper jaw to improve alignment or function.
Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE)
Expands the upper jaw to correct crowding or misalignment.
LeFort 1, multi-piece
Repositions multiple sections of the upper jaw for enhanced precision.
Distraction Osteogenesis for Maxillary Expansion (DOME)
Gradually expands the upper jaw to address severe crowding, breathing issues, or skeletal deficiencies.
Malar (Cheek) Implants
Enhances cheekbone definition and facial symmetry, restoring or improving natural contours.
Chin Procedures
A well-proportioned chin is vital to achieving facial symmetry and balance. Our chin procedures focus on enhancing the shape, size, or position of the chin to create a more harmonious profile. These treatments are designed not only to improve aesthetics but also to support orthodontic and functional outcomes.
Genioplasty
Adjusts the shape, size, or position of the chin to achieve a more harmonious facial profile.
Chin Implants
Adds volume and contour to the chin for improved facial harmony and a stronger jawline.
TMJ Surgery
Jaw joint disorders can affect everything from daily comfort to overall quality of life. Our TMJ surgical solutions are built on years of expertise, advanced technology, and a deep commitment to restoring proper function and relieving pain. We’re here to help you find lasting relief.
TMJ Arthroplasty (joint replacement)
Surgical replacement of the TMJ to restore full function and relieve severe joint damage.
Modified condylotomy
A minimally invasive procedure to address TMJ disorders by adjusting the lower jaw without directly operating on the joint.
Multiple Procedures
For patients requiring comprehensive care, our multiple procedure approach combines advanced techniques to address complex cases. By coordinating treatments for the jaw, chin, and joints, we provide seamless, transformative results while prioritizing your safety and comfort.
Joint and SSO
TMJ repair paired with lower jaw realignment.
Joint, SSO, and LeFort
Combines TMJ surgery with repositioning of the upper and lower jaws.
Bilateral joints and LeFort
Includes both jaw joints and upper jaw realignment.
LeFort and Chin OR BSSO with Chin
Upper or lower jaw surgery combined with chin enhancement.
LeFort and BSSO
A dual-jaw surgery to correct significant misalignment.
LeFort, BSSO, and Genioplasty
A comprehensive approach involving both jaws and chin enhancement.
FAQs
We understand these procedures are a significant step in your health journey. Our experienced surgical team is committed to supporting you with compassionate care and expertise every step of the way.
Candidates typically experience functional issues like difficulty chewing, breathing problems, sleep apnea, TMJ pain, or significant facial asymmetry. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your specific condition using advanced imaging and develop personalized recommendations.
As with any healthcare procedure, there is the possibility of certain risks and complications. While we do everything we can to avoid these risks, it is important to be aware of them.
- Infection: rare and typically treatable, but may affect healing.
- Damage to surrounding structures: Extremely rare damage to gums, bone or teeth.
- Numbness/Decreased Sensation:
- Upper Jaw: may affect nose & upper lip.
- Lower Jaw: may affect lower lip & chin. Loss of sensation & numbness is usually temporary, but some permanent loss of feeling is possible.
Your first appointment includes a comprehensive examination, review of your medical history, discussion of your concerns, and possibly x-rays or 3D imaging. Our team will explain potential treatment options, answer your questions, and outline next steps if surgery is recommended.
Most patients will take 1-2 weeks off from school or desk work. We recommend 6 weeks without heavy physical activity. Swelling will diminish over the first 3-4 weeks with food restrictions up to 6 weeks. Full bony healing can take up to 6-8 months although functional recovery takes 6-8 weeks.
Most patients return to light activities within 1-2 weeks, though complete healing takes 6-8 weeks. Your appearance will likely change, creating more balanced facial proportions with improvements in both function and aesthetics.
In most cases, yes, you will experience aesthetic changes after surgery. These changes are generally seen as positive improvements in harmony and balance.
- Chin position: May move forward, backward, or center, depending on alignment.
- Jawline: Usually more defined and symmetric.
- Facial symmetry: Improved if you had an asymmetry or imbalance
- Smile and lip posture: More even bite and more natural lip closure.
- Profile: Balanced proportions between upper, mid, and lower face.
Upper jaw surgery can correct breathing difficulties, speech problems, bite issues, and facial asymmetry. The procedure involves precisely cutting and repositioning the upper jaw using specialized plates and screws. Most patients experience improved nasal breathing long-term, potentially reducing sleep apnea symptoms.
Here’s what you can expect from your recovery process:
- Week 1–2: Significant swelling masks results; your face may look puffy or even distorted.
- Week 3–6: Swelling begins to subside, and early improvements are visible.
- 3 Months: Most swelling is gone; your new appearance becomes more defined.
- 6–12 Months: Final facial contours settle in fully as healing completes.
Lower jaw surgery can improve the projection of the lower face, chewing, breathing, facial asymmetry, and speech. It is performed on one side of the jaw or both depending on individual needs as each case is digitally planned and customized to address personal needs.
Post-op pain is usually manageable with strict and timely medications. Most discomfort comes from swelling and restricted jaw movement, not severe pain. Temporary numbness, which is expected in the upper and lower lips and chin may be more bothersome than pain.
TMJ surgery may be recommended for severe joint dysfunction, degenerative disease, recurrent dislocations, or failed conservative treatments. We always begin with non-surgical approaches (physical therapy, medications, bite splints) before considering joint replacement, which uses advanced materials designed to function well for 10-15 years or longer in most patients.
For the first 2 weeks, patients can eat a pureed or blenderized foods only. Week 3, extremely soft foods such as scrambled eggs and over-cooked pasta. Weeks 4-6, gentle chewing can be introduced with softer meats and over-cooked veggies in small pieces. Weeks 6-8, continued progression of a more regular diet up until the 10th week where all restrictions can be lifted.
