Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical Orthodontics: Expert Care for Complex Bite and Jaw Concerns
Some smiles need more than braces. When a jaw sits too far forward, too far back, or just doesn't match its opposite number, no amount of aligner, bracket-and-wire wizardry alone will fix it, and that's where surgical orthodontics comes in. At Nash Orthodontics, our Ivanhoe and Benalla clinics combine specialist orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery to resolve genuine skeletal discrepancies: severe overbites, underbites, open bites, facial asymmetry, even breathing and chewing problems rooted in jaw position. It's not common. Most patients we see never need it. But for the ones who do, we plan every stage: pre-surgical alignment, the orthognathic procedure itself (done in partnership with trusted Melbourne maxillofacial surgeons), and post-surgical fine-tuning. Real jaw problems deserve a real fix, not a workaround.
What Is Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics (sometimes called orthognathic treatment) combines orthodontic tooth movement with jaw surgery to correct significant discrepancies between the upper and lower jaw. It's typically considered once facial growth is complete, so it's almost always an adult treatment.
The process runs in stages. First, braces align and coordinate your teeth so they'll fit together properly once the jaws are repositioned. Then a maxillofacial surgeon carries out the surgical procedure itself, moving the jaw (or jaws) into correct alignment. Afterwards, braces fine-tune the final bite. It's a longer process than standard orthodontic treatment, but for the right cases, it's the difference between masking a problem and actually fixing it.
When Is Surgery Actually Needed?
Most patients we see never need this pathway — braces or aligners alone are enough. Surgery becomes relevant for more significant issues, such as:
A pronounced overbite or underbite caused by jaw size or position, not just tooth angle
Open bites where the front teeth don't meet at all when the back teeth are closed
Facial asymmetry linked to uneven jaw growth
Severe crowding or spacing that can't be resolved by tooth movement alone
Difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing caused by jaw position
If we think surgery might be relevant for you, we'll say so early and explain exactly why — and we'll always involve you in weighing it up against non-surgical alternatives first.
How We Work With You Through the Process
We coordinate closely with your surgeon at every stage, from the initial assessment and joint treatment planning through pre-surgical orthodontics, the surgery itself, and the months of fine-tuning afterwards. You'll always know what phase you're in and what's coming next — this isn't a process where you get handed off and lose track of the plan.
Why Surgery Can Make Such a Difference
Jaw surgery sounds like a big step, and it is, but for the right patients, the payoff goes well beyond a straighter smile.
A bite that actually works. Chewing, biting into an apple, even speaking clearly, when the jaws don't line up properly, everyday things get harder than they should be. Correcting the underlying skeletal issue fixes function, not just appearance.
Facial balance. Jaw position shapes the whole lower face. Patients often notice a more proportionate, balanced profile once the jaws are correctly aligned, a change braces alone simply can't achieve when the root cause is skeletal.
Easier breathing, for some patients. Certain jaw discrepancies contribute to airway restriction and sleep-disordered breathing. Repositioning the jaw can meaningfully improve this for suitable candidates.
Results that last. Because surgical orthodontics addresses the actual bone structure rather than compensating around it, outcomes tend to be more stable long-term than trying to camouflage a serious skeletal problem with orthodontics alone.
Reduced wear and strain. A poorly aligned bite puts uneven pressure over time, contributing to premature wear, chipping, and discomfort. Correcting the alignment takes that pressure off.
Confidence. It's a real benefit, not a throwaway line, patients who've spent years self-conscious about a pronounced over- or underbite often describe the change as life-altering, not just cosmetic.
Every case is different, and surgery is never the first suggestion, we'll only raise it when it's genuinely the right path or an option, and we'll walk you through the full picture before you decide anything.
Why Choose Nash Orthodontics for Surgical Orthodontic Care
As a father-and-son specialist practice, including working in the hospitals, we've built long-standing working relationships with the surgical teams we refer to, which matters more than people realise, good communication between your orthodontist and your surgeon has a real effect on how smoothly treatment goes. We take the time to properly explain what surgery does and doesn't involve, what recovery looks like, and how long the whole journey will take, so you're making an informed decision rather than a rushed one.
If you think your bite might be a jaw issue rather than just a teeth issue, come and talk to us. We'll give you a straight answer about whether surgery is genuinely worth considering, and if it's not, we'll tell you that too.