"Jaw surgery" sounds like one thing, but it actually covers several distinct categories, each targeting a different problem and requiring a different approach.
If you deal with chronic jaw joint pain, you're in a completely different situation than someone whose jaws don't align properly, even though both might search the same phrase. Getting the right category identified early leads to a plan that addresses the root issue rather than a workaround.
This page maps the main jaw surgery categories our oral surgeons evaluate and treat at Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants. Each category has its own dedicated page where you can go deeper on the specifics.
Contact our Norton Shores office to schedule a consultation.
Orthognathic Surgery for Jaw Alignment and Bite
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both to correct problems that orthodontics alone can't resolve. The goal is typically to improve how your teeth come together, reduce facial asymmetry, or address skeletal imbalances that affect both function and appearance.
This category also includes genioplasty, a procedure that repositions the chin when chin projection or symmetry is part of the concern.
If jaw asymmetry brought you here, the dedicated jaw asymmetry page goes into much greater depth on how orthognathic procedures address that condition.
TMJ Surgery for the Jaw Joint
TMJ surgery is its own distinct category, focused on the jaw joint itself rather than overall jaw position or bite alignment.
When the temporomandibular joint is damaged, inflamed, or structurally compromised, alignment surgery won't solve the problem. Options range widely. Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that flushes the joint and can provide relief when inflammation is the primary driver. Open-joint surgery is reserved for cases where the internal structure of the joint needs more direct intervention.
The TMJ jaw surgery page covers this category in detail, including how our doctors determine the right approach for your specific situation.
Jaw Surgery for Sleep Apnea
For some people with obstructive sleep apnea, the airway collapses during sleep because of how the jaws are positioned. When that's the case, a procedure called maxillomandibular advancement can move both jaws forward to open the airway more permanently.
Our surgeons typically consider this option after non-surgical approaches like CPAP or oral appliances haven't provided enough relief. It's a significant step, and the evaluation process is designed to make sure it's the right fit before anything is decided. The jaw surgery for sleep apnea page explains how this approach works and what that evaluation looks like.
What Recovery Has in Common Across Types
Your recovery will vary depending on which procedure you undergo, but a few things hold true across all jaw surgery types. Swelling is expected, a soft diet is usually required for a period of time, and rest during the early weeks is part of every recovery plan. Timelines differ considerably from one procedure to the next, and knowing what to expect at each stage makes the whole process feel much more manageable.
The jaw surgery recovery page walks through what you can expect at each stage across all the categories covered here.
Start With the Right Evaluation
At Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants, Dr. Joseph Larson and Dr. Mark Burye conduct that evaluation. The goal isn't to push you toward anything. It's to give you a clear picture of what's going on and what your options actually are.
Dr. Larson holds both a DMD and an MD, with training at the University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut. He founded the practice to bring that level of surgical care to the West Michigan lakeshore community in a setting that still feels personal and patient-paced.
Our doctors take the time to identify not just whether jaw surgery is indicated, but which type fits your situation. That distinction shapes every recommendation that follows. You'll leave with answers, not more uncertainty.
If you're ready to take that first step, reach out to Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants to schedule your consultation. There's no pressure, just a conversation about what you're experiencing and where to go from here.
