Growth of the cranio-facial skeleton can be variable, and abnormal growth of the jaws can cause an abnormal bite which in turn can lead to difficulties with eating, facial imbalance or sleep disordered breathing (such as obstructive sleep apnoea). These facial skeletal problems can be very effectively treated with corrective jaw surgery which is usually undertaken in combination with orthodontic (braces) treatment.
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw or chin to address skeletal discrepancies causing an abnormal bite, breathing difficulties or facial imbalance. Led by Mr Richard Cobb (Melbourne Orthognathic Fellowship), complex cases are planned using 3D Virtual Surgical Planning software.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
OUR APPROACH
OMS Specialists surgeons perform corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery). They work with specialist orthodontists on the facial and dental outcomes and plan complex cases using 3D Virtual Surgical Planning software.
Mr Richard Cobb completed the Melbourne Orthognathic Fellowship and has a specific interest and expertise in this area. Most patients follow a braces-first pathway: orthodontic treatment aligns the teeth within each jaw, surgery repositions the jaws, and a shorter phase of orthodontic finishing fine-tunes the bite.
At your consultation a detailed history and examination will be performed. Where appropriate, CBCT imaging and digital models will be arranged so the surgery can be planned virtually beforehand. You will then be given a treatment plan with all of your options, and time to consider these in order to make an informed decision about how you would like to proceed.
Each procedure has a dedicated page with detail on recovery, anaesthesia, cost pathways, and surgeon assignment.
Surgical repositioning of the upper jaw (Le Fort I), the lower jaw (BSSO), or both (bimaxillary surgery) to address skeletal bite and facial-balance problems. Complex cases are planned in 3D using custom surgical splints.
Surgical repositioning of the chin segment (advancement, reduction or vertical adjustment) to improve facial balance. The procedure can be performed on its own, or alongside corrective jaw surgery where appropriate.
Surgical removal of cysts and benign or malignant tumours of the jaw bones, with reconstruction where required. Tissue is sent for histopathology, and ongoing surveillance is arranged where indicated.
Surgical management of TMJ pain, clicking, locking and disc displacement, in cases where conservative care has not resolved symptoms. This can range from key hole surgery (arthroscopy or arthrocentesis) through to open joint surgery and joint replacement (arthroplasty).
Surgically advancing one or both jaws (Maxillo-Mandibular Advancement, or MMA) for moderate-to-severe OSA, in appropriately selected cases where CPAP has not been tolerated or has failed. The procedure enlarges the upper airway.
Each surgeon carries dual qualifications (BDS + MBChB or MBBS) plus Fellowship from the Royal Australasian or English College.
Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
RECOVERY TIMELINE
Recovery from corrective jaw surgery is longer than most oral surgery, and most patients need 2 to 6 weeks off work with several months for full bone healing. The timeline below is a general guide. A specific recovery plan will be given to you pre-operatively, along with post-operative instructions and contact information for help and advice should you need it.
0–1 week
1 to 3 nights in hospital. Facial swelling peaks in the first 2 to 3 days before settling. Liquid diet, regular pain medication, and limited mouth opening initially.
Difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, persistent vomiting, or fever over 38.5°C.
8–21 days
Swelling continues to reduce. Soft or blenderised diet, with light desk-based work often possible. Numbness around the lips and chin is common and gradually resolves.
4–6 weeks
Most patients return to work. Diet transitions to soft solids and light exercise resumes. Bite refinement with the orthodontist (often using elastics) typically begins here.
3–12 months
Bone healing consolidates and final orthodontic treatment completes. Sensation usually continues to recover for some months (most by 6 months, in some cases up to 12).
| Phase | Duration | What to expect | Red flags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1–7 | 0–1 week | 1 to 3 nights in hospital. Facial swelling peaks in the first 2 to 3 days before settling. Liquid diet, regular pain medication, and limited mouth opening initially. | Difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, persistent vomiting, or fever over 38.5°C. |
| Week 2–3 | 8–21 days | Swelling continues to reduce. Soft or blenderised diet, with light desk-based work often possible. Numbness around the lips and chin is common and gradually resolves. | |
| Week 4–6 | 4–6 weeks | Most patients return to work. Diet transitions to soft solids and light exercise resumes. Bite refinement with the orthodontist (often using elastics) typically begins here. | |
| Month 3–12 | 3–12 months | Bone healing consolidates and final orthodontic treatment completes. Sensation usually continues to recover for some months (most by 6 months, in some cases up to 12). |
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Common questions patients ask before booking jaw surgery in New Zealand.
The cost of corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) depends on whether one or both jaws are repositioned, the length of the hospital stay (usually 1 to 3 nights), and the specialist anaesthetist time required. As an indication, single-jaw orthognathic surgery is typically in the NZ$20,000 to $30,000 range, bimaxillary surgery in the NZ$30,000 to $45,000 range, both including hospital theatre and anaesthetist fees. Chin augmentation (genioplasty) on its own is significantly less. 3D Virtual Surgical Planning, where used, is included in the surgical estimate. At your consultation a full written estimate will be provided covering surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and follow up.
You can make a self-referral for an initial consultation, and a GP or dentist referral is not required to make an appointment. That said, most jaw surgery patients do come to us via referral from a specialist orthodontist, because corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is delivered as a joint plan involving both the orthodontist and the surgeon. If you do not yet have an orthodontist, we can recommend Auckland specialists we work with regularly. Please bring any existing imaging (OPG, lateral cephalogram or CBCT) to your appointment, or have your dentist or orthodontist forward records ahead. At consultation a detailed history and examination will be performed and a combined surgical and orthodontic plan discussed.
Jaw surgery sits firmly within the specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon scope. It requires hospital theatre, general anaesthesia with a specialist anaesthetist, 3D Virtual Surgical Planning in complex cases, and surgeons holding dual qualification in dentistry and medicine plus fellowship-level training in orthognathic surgery. Mr Richard Cobb completed the Melbourne Orthognathic Fellowship and has a specific interest and expertise in this area. Your GP or dentist will usually refer to a specialist orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for joint assessment, and the surgical and orthodontic plan is then developed together before treatment begins.
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery, and Maxillo-Mandibular Advancement (MMA) for obstructive sleep apnoea are performed under general anaesthesia (complete anaesthesia) at an affiliated Auckland hospital, with a specialist anaesthetist. Smaller procedures such as a straightforward chin augmentation (genioplasty) can, in selected cases, be performed under intravenous sedation (twilight anaesthesia) rather than full general anaesthesia. Our surgeons work with the very best specialist anaesthetists, and the anaesthetic plan, fasting instructions and recovery arrangements are confirmed at your pre-operative review along with any questions about going under and waking up.
Most patients spend 1 to 3 nights in hospital following corrective jaw surgery and take 2 to 6 weeks off work overall. Desk-based roles often return at around 3 to 4 weeks, more physical roles closer to 6 weeks. Facial swelling peaks in the first 2 to 3 days before settling, and a soft or blenderised diet is usually required for several weeks while the bones heal in their new position. Full bone healing takes 3 to 6 months, sensation around the lips and chin continues to recover (usually by 6 months, in some cases up to 12), and orthodontic finishing with elastics typically begins around week 4 to 6. A specific recovery plan and medical certificate will be provided.
Most corrective jaw surgery patients follow a braces-first pathway, with orthodontic treatment for around 12 to 18 months before surgery to align the teeth within each jaw, and then a shorter phase of 3 to 9 months afterwards to fine-tune the bite. In some appropriately selected cases a "surgery-first" pathway may be considered, in which the bulk of the orthodontics is completed after the surgery rather than before. Either way, the surgical and orthodontic plan is developed together between you, your specialist orthodontist and the surgeon. At consultation we will discuss the best approach for your case, the expected timeline, and the sequencing of imaging, surgery and orthodontic finishing.
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