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The term "jaw surgery" covers several different categories, each designed to address a different problem, and it can feel overwhelming before anyone has walked you through what actually applies to your situation. Knowing which category fits your circumstances helps you walk into a consultation feeling oriented rather than anxious, and helps you ask the questions that matter most to you.
What follows is a high-level map of the main jaw surgery types our oral surgeons evaluate and treat. Each category has its own dedicated page where you can learn more about what the procedure involves, how recovery typically unfolds, and who tends to benefit most.
Contact Southern Dental Implants & Oral Surgery to schedule a consultation and find out which category fits your situation.
Orthognathic Surgery for Jaw Alignment and Bite
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Surgeons use it to correct bite problems, jaw asymmetry, or a combination of the two. Many people come to this conversation after orthodontic treatment alone wasn't enough, and that's a common path, not a failure.
This category also includes genioplasty, a procedure that addresses the chin when that area is the primary concern rather than the jaw joints or bite mechanics overall.
If you're exploring jaw asymmetry or a bite that hasn't responded to orthodontic treatment, the jaw asymmetry page goes into much greater detail on what orthognathic surgery involves and who tends to be a good fit.
TMJ Surgery for the Jaw Joint
TMJ surgery is a separate category from orthognathic surgery. Where orthognathic procedures address overall jaw position and bite, TMJ surgery focuses on the joint itself, the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull.
Options in this category range from minimally invasive approaches like arthrocentesis, which flushes the joint with fluid to reduce inflammation, to open-joint surgery for more complex structural problems. Most people are relieved to learn that the least invasive option is often the right starting point.
The TMJ jaw surgery page walks through this range in more detail, including what typically determines whether a minimally invasive approach is appropriate.
Jaw Surgery for Sleep Apnea
For some people with obstructive sleep apnea, the underlying issue is directly tied to jaw position. When the jaws sit in a way that allows the airway to collapse during sleep, a procedure called maxillomandibular advancement moves both jaws forward to open that airway structurally. This option typically enters the conversation after non-surgical treatments haven't provided enough consistent relief, not before.
The jaw surgery for sleep apnea page covers how this procedure works, what candidacy typically looks like, and how it fits into a broader sleep apnea treatment picture.
What Recovery Has in Common Across Types
Most jaw surgery types share certain elements during recovery. Swelling is common across the board, as is a modified diet that stays soft for several weeks while your jaw heals. Most patients also need a window of rest before returning to normal activity. The specific timeline varies depending on which procedure was performed and your individual situation, and your surgeon will walk you through what to expect for your particular case.
The jaw surgery recovery page walks through what that progression typically looks like and what to expect at each stage.
Why Southern Dental Implants & Oral Surgery
At Southern Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, patients in the Arden and Hendersonville area work with a two-surgeon practice where Dr. Rian Cho and Dr. Derrick Nelson bring distinct and complementary training to each evaluation. Dr. Cho completed residency training and presented research internationally before entering private practice. He also served in the U.S. Air Force and received a White House-level award. Dr. Nelson holds both a dental degree and a medical degree from UNC Chapel Hill, completed a year of general surgery training, and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society that recognizes academic distinction.
That depth of background shapes how our doctors approach each case. The goal of an initial consultation isn't to push toward a specific procedure. It's to understand the full picture and identify what, if anything, is actually indicated for you.
If you have questions about jaw surgery or want to know which category applies to your situation, reach out to Southern Dental Implants & Oral Surgery. We're here to help you take that first step at your own pace, with clarity and without pressure.
