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A Le Fort I osteotomy is surgery to reposition the upper jaw, also called the maxilla. The surgeon cuts the bone above the upper teeth and moves it to a planned position. Small plates and screws hold the jaw while it heals. The procedure can change how the upper and lower teeth meet.
read more about le fort i osteotomy ...The operation may be considered when a jaw alignment problem cannot be corrected with orthodontic treatment alone. It can move the upper jaw forward, backward, upward, or downward according to the treatment plan. An orthodontist and jaw surgeon assess the bite and facial bones together. Some patients also need lower jaw surgery.
The surgeon works through an incision in the gum above the upper teeth. The upper jaw is cut in a controlled way and moved into its planned position. Plates and screws hold the bone while the gum is closed with stitches. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
Facial swelling, jaw stiffness, and a blocked nose can occur after surgery. Patients begin with liquids or soft foods and gradually change their diet as healing allows. Orthodontic elastics may help guide the bite into its planned position. Follow-up visits check bone healing and tooth alignment.
Risks include bleeding, infection, and changes in sensation around the upper lip or cheeks. The bite may need further adjustment after surgery. Plates or screws can occasionally become infected or cause discomfort. The surgical team explains risks based on the planned jaw movement.
No. It repositions the upper jaw, although lower jaw surgery can be performed during the same treatment.
The main incision is made inside the mouth. It generally does not leave a visible facial scar.
Orthodontic treatment is commonly part of the plan. Braces or other appliances help align the teeth before and after jaw surgery.
Yes. Patients usually follow a liquid or soft diet at first and return gradually to firmer foods as directed.
Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic): Types, Procedure & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/jaw-surgery. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Le Fort Osteotomy. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564372/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Le Fort Osteotomy. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/treatments/le-fort-osteotomy. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
LeFort I Osteotomy. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3805729/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Peri- and postoperative complications in Le Fort I osteotomies. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33994290/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.