What is the earliest age recommended to get jaw surgery?

Doctor's Answers 1

Hi,

Jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery is ideally performed when growth of the jaws have completed and no further changes to the jaws are expected.

This age varies between males and females as well, as girls would reach puberty earlier than boys, hence they would be able to undergo jaw surgery at a younger age. There is also a variation between patients, with regards to the age at which puberty is reached and when growth has stabilised.

Your orthodontist or oral maxillofacial surgeon will be able to assess whether jaw growth has completed and if one is ready for orthognathic surgery. Taking consecutive X-rays 6-12 months apart and comparing them to see if the jaw has shown signs of further growth is one of the assessments we can conduct to assess growth and readiness for surgery.

It is also important to consider the type of jaw imbalance, and studies have shown that patients with a long lower jaw tend to grow more and longer than patients with a smaller lower jaw.

In general, girls can undergo jaw surgery as young as 15-16 years old, and boys 17-18 years old depending on the time they reach puberty.

A detailed assessment by an orthodontist or oral maxillofacial surgeon is ideal, to assess if one is ready for jaw surgery. Chronological age alone is an insufficient parameter to make such a decision.

Hope this helps.

Warm regards,

Dr Geraldine Lee

Orthodontist

Similar Questions

How can I reduce the protrusion of my upper lip?

In order to decide which method would most effective, we would need to assess and treat the cause of the protrusion. If it is due to protruding upper teeth which are flaring out and causing the lip to come forward, braces or Invisalign treatment would be ideal to reduce the protrusion. There may be a possibility that extractions of some teeth may be required to provide some space for the upper front teeth to move back into. Sometimes, it may be due to the imbalance of the upper and lower jaws.

Photo of Dr Geraldine Lee

Answered By

Dr Geraldine Lee

Orthodontist

Can Invisalign or braces help to fix a slanted jaw without the need for jaw surgery?

It is great that you are thinking about correcting your bite. With skeletal issues such as a slanted jaw, surgery is indeed required in order to achieve a good stable bite. However depending on the degree of skeletal discrepancy (slanted jaw) braces / invisalign are still options for you to consider in order to straighten out your teeth and give you a good smile. Straight and aligned teeth can be achieved but there are limitations so it depends on what your ideal smile is! My suggestion would be to consider all your options and if needed seek a second opinion.

Photo of Dr Beth Seow

Answered By

Dr Beth Seow

Dentist

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox