Surgical orthodontics in Sunnyvale, CA
Find out whether your bite needs orthodontics, jaw surgery, or both
What is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery to address problems involving both the teeth and the position of the jaws. It’s also called orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery.
Orthodontic treatment moves the teeth. Corrective jaw surgery changes the position of one or both jaws. When a skeletal difference is contributing to your bite, combining these treatments may help create a healthier and more stable relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
Your orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon coordinate treatment so the tooth movement and jaw correction support the same final bite.
How do I know if I need jaw surgery?
You cannot tell whether you need jaw surgery based on crooked teeth or appearance alone. The important question is what’s causing the bite problem.
- Significant skeletal underbite
- Significant jaw discrepancy associated with an overbite
- Open bite related to jaw position
- Jaw asymmetry
- Severe crossbite with skeletal involvement
- Difficulty biting or chewing related to jaw position
- Certain functional concerns associated with jaw relationships
What problems can surgical orthodontics address?
Skeletal underbite
Jaw discrepancy associated with an overbite
Open bite
Jaw asymmetry
Functional bite problems
How surgical orthodontic treatment works
Step 1
Pre-surgical orthodontics
Before surgery, braces are commonly used to move your teeth into the positions needed for the planned jaw correction.
Your bite may temporarily look or feel different during this stage because the teeth are being positioned for how the jaws will fit together after surgery.
Dr. Wainwright coordinates this tooth movement with your surgeon’s planned correction.
Step 2
Corrective jaw surgery
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the jaw surgery.
Depending on your diagnosis, surgery may involve the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
Your surgeon will explain the specific procedure, anesthesia, recovery, risks, and surgical costs.
Step 3
Post-surgical orthodontics
After the initial healing period, orthodontic treatment continues.
Dr. Wainwright makes additional adjustments to refine how your teeth fit together as your bite settles.
Step 4
Retainers
Once active orthodontic treatment is complete, retainers help maintain your tooth positions.
Learn more about retainers and long-term orthodontic stability.
Who performs corrective jaw surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Wainwright does not perform the surgery itself.
She manages the orthodontic treatment before and after the procedure and coordinates with the surgeon throughout your case.
Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics works with oral and maxillofacial surgeons when surgical care is needed, so the orthodontic and surgical parts of treatment can be planned together.
How we plan surgical orthodontic treatment
3D imaging
Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics uses 3D CBCT imaging to evaluate structures such as your:
- Teeth
- Roots
- Bone
- Jaw relationships
This information helps Dr. Wainwright determine whether a bite problem is primarily dental, skeletal, or a combination of both.
Coordinated planning with your surgeon
If surgery is recommended, Dr. Wainwright coordinates the orthodontic goals with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
This allows the tooth movement before surgery and the planned jaw correction to work toward the same final bite.
One orthodontist overseeing your orthodontic care
Dr. Wainwright personally leads your orthodontic care from diagnosis through the pre-surgical and post-surgical stages.
Learn more about Dr. Gabrielle Wainwright.
Can I get a second opinion about jaw surgery?
- What is causing your bite problem
- Whether the concern is dental, skeletal, or both
- What surgery is intended to correct
- Whether a non-surgical approach may be reasonable
- What the orthodontic portion of treatment would involve
A second opinion doesn’t mean surgery can always be avoided.
It gives you another specialist evaluation so you can make a more informed decision about a significant treatment.
How long does surgical orthodontic treatment take?
Total treatment time depends on:
- Your diagnosis
- The amount of tooth movement needed before surgery
- The type of jaw surgery planned
- Healing after surgery
- The amount of orthodontic refinement needed afterward
Treatment generally includes pre-surgical orthodontics, surgery and recovery, and post-surgical orthodontic care.
Dr. Wainwright can give you a more personalized estimate after your evaluation and treatment planning.
What is recovery like after jaw surgery?
Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will give you specific instructions about:
- Pain management
- Swelling
- Diet
- Oral hygiene
- Physical activity
- Time away from work or school
- Follow-up visits
- When orthodontic treatment can resume
Dr. Wainwright coordinates the orthodontic side of your care around your recovery.
Because every surgery is different, your surgeon’s instructions should guide your recovery rather than a general online timeline.
Why Sunnyvale patients choose Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics for surgical orthodontics
Care led by a board-certified orthodontist
Dr. Gabrielle Wainwright is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She personally evaluates, plans, and oversees the orthodontic phases of surgical cases.
Learn more about Dr. Wainwright and Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics.
Orthodontics is our specialty
Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics focuses exclusively on orthodontic care.
That includes braces, Invisalign, early orthodontics, surgical orthodontics, retainers, and complex multidisciplinary treatment.
Explore our orthodontic services in Sunnyvale.
Coordinated specialist care
Advanced diagnostic technology
More than 60 years of orthodontic care in Sunnyvale
Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics has served Sunnyvale families for more than 60 years.
Today, Dr. Wainwright continues that tradition with individualized, specialist-led orthodontic care.
Frequently asked questions about surgical orthodontics in Sunnyvale
What is the difference between surgical orthodontics and jaw surgery?
Surgical orthodontics refers to the complete treatment process that combines orthodontic care with corrective jaw surgery.
Jaw surgery is the surgical part of that treatment and is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Your orthodontist manages tooth movement before and after the surgery.
Do all severe bite problems require jaw surgery?
How do I know if I need jaw surgery instead of braces?
- The answer depends on what is causing your bite problem.
- Braces move teeth. Corrective jaw surgery changes the position of the jaws.
- If a significant skeletal discrepancy is contributing to the bite, surgery may be considered.
- A comprehensive orthodontic evaluation is needed to determine which treatment is appropriate.
Can braces fix an underbite without jaw surgery?
Can braces fix an overbite without jaw surgery?
Can Invisalign be used instead of jaw surgery?
Who performs jaw surgery?
Can I get a second opinion if another orthodontist recommended surgery?
Yes. Dr. Wainwright can evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaw relationships and explain whether she agrees that surgical orthodontics is appropriate.
A second opinion can also help you understand what surgery is intended to accomplish and whether other options may be reasonable.
How long does surgical orthodontic treatment take?
Does surgical orthodontics always require braces?
What imaging is used to evaluate surgical orthodontic cases?
Does insurance cover surgical orthodontics?
Orthodontic and surgical coverage may be handled separately. Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics is not in-network with dental insurance plans, but the team can file orthodontic claims on your behalf to help you use available benefits.
Coverage for corrective jaw surgery depends on your medical insurance plan, diagnosis, surgeon, and applicable benefits. Your oral surgeon's office can provide details about surgical coverage.
How much does surgical orthodontics cost in Sunnyvale?
The orthodontic cost depends on the complexity and length of treatment. Jaw surgery has separate fees that may involve the surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, and other services.
Keller & Wainwright Orthodontics will provide an estimate for the orthodontic portion before treatment begins.
Learn more about insurance and financial information.
Is the surgical orthodontics consultation complimentary?
Visit us
Serving Sunnyvale and surrounding communities with board-certified orthodontic care.
- 1301 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road, Suite 2
Sunnyvale, CA 94087 - (408) 739-4224
- Monday 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday–Sunday – Closed
