Orthognathic surgery is a combination of jaw surgery and orthodontics. This surgery is appropriate after the growth stops (i.e., by the age of 14 or 15 for females and between the ages of 17 and 21 for males). This article provides information on the surgical procedure and its cost.
Facial irregularities can certainly become a cause of cosmetic concern. The orthognathic surgery is a procedure that is followed to correct abnormalities related to the jaw so as to improve one’s appearance. The average cost of this operation is different in different parts of the world.
Information
This operation proves to be crucial for people with improper positioning of the upper and lower jaw. The surgeon uses advanced techniques for the repositioning process. It is an effective way to get rid of jaw problems that are faced while performing routine activities like speaking, eating, and breathing. People facing problems with protruding jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder are also believed to benefit from this operation.
The doctor studies the complications of your case and the cause of jaw pain, by going through the X-rays of your mouth. Before the operation is performed, the person needs to disclose the entire health history to the orthodontist and the oral surgeons, so they can determine the course of the orthodontic treatment. He/she needs to wear braces before the actual operation. Braces are usually on for 9 to 18 months prior to the surgery to level and align the teeth. It is also required to be worn through the recovery period. The entire orthodontic process, including the surgery may last for 12 to 24 months.
The person is given general anesthesia, as the surgeon makes incisions during the operation. However, these are usually inside the mouth. The person undergoing this operation might experience swelling in the face during the post-operative phase. Though it is considered to be a safe surgical procedure, the person may experience temporary numbness in the operated area or infection for a short period of time.
Cost
The cost of this operative procedure may vary as per the country where the procedure is performed, the hospital where it is performed, and also the complications of the case. The costs are believed to be low in the Asian countries like India. It would be less for a single jaw procedure than performing the operation on both the upper and lower jaw.
The operating cost in the big metropolitan cities is believed to be much more than the smaller cities. Braces are imperative, thus it adds to the cost. You might have to spend anything around USD 5,000 for the braces. The actual surgery costs around USD 8,500, while the rest would be hospital charges. The average cost for this procedure without insurance cover is believed to be around USD 10,000 to USD 20,000.
The cost of this operative procedure usually includes:
- Surgeon’s fees
- Hospital fees
- Orthodontics charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Pain medication charges
Having a health insurance is relieving, as it reduces the cost to a great extent. However, this procedure is covered only if it is carried out for a medical purpose, as cosmetic dentistry is not covered by any insurance companies. The oral surgeons could provide information regarding the best insurance policies.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
