The goal for the orthodontic patient is straight teeth and a healthy bite. Occasionally, the jaws themselves are too far out of balance for braces alone to correct the problem. In these cases, the orthodontist works with an oral surgeon who can perform a surgical correction of the jaw position. This procedure is called orthognathic surgery.
First, braces are worn for about one year, making the upper and lower teeth straight but separately from each other. Then the oral surgeon does an orthognathic surgery operation to correct the position of either the upper or lower jaw or both, creating a normal, healthy bite pattern. Braces are worn for a few more months after the operation to fine tune everything.
Very severe problems can be corrected by using this combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery. The results are truly life-changing for the patient.