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Bimaxillary osteotomy is surgery to reposition both the upper and lower jaws. It is also called double jaw surgery. The surgeon cuts and moves each jaw according to a plan for the bite and facial bones. Plates and screws hold the jaws in their new positions while they heal.
read more about bimaxillary osteotomy ...Double jaw surgery may be considered when moving only one jaw would not adequately correct a jaw imbalance. It can address a bite problem that orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct. The surgeon and orthodontist plan the tooth alignment and jaw movements together. The exact correction depends on the patient's anatomy and treatment goals.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes incisions mainly inside the mouth to reach the upper and lower jawbones. Each jaw is cut, moved into its planned position, and secured with plates and screws. Orthodontic elastics may then help guide the bite during healing.
Swelling, bruising, and limited jaw opening are expected after surgery. Patients initially need liquids or soft foods while the jaws heal. Mouth care and follow-up with the surgeon and orthodontist are part of recovery. The return to a normal diet and activities depends on healing and the surgical plan.
Risks include bleeding, infection, and changes in the bite that need further adjustment. Numbness or tingling can affect the lips or face, particularly after lower jaw surgery. Some changes in sensation can last a long time. The surgeon explains the risks of each planned jaw movement.
Yes. It repositions the upper and lower jaws during the same operation.
It is commonly used before and after double jaw surgery. The orthodontist aligns the teeth to fit the planned jaw positions.
No. Plates and screws usually hold the repositioned bones, while elastics may guide the bite. The surgeon explains whether any additional fixation is planned.
Yes. Moving both jaws can change the facial profile as well as the bite.
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Complications or rather side effects? Quantification of patient satisfaction and complications after orthognathic surgery?a retrospective, cross-sectional long-term analysis. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8060167/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
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.
Recovery pattern following bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: Differences between sexes. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30501927/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.