Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, can align your teeth, help you breathe and sleep better, and show less of your gums when you smile. If you’re considering this procedure, you may wonder if you’re too old or young to have it.
Your jaw changes as you age, maturing between ages 16 and 21, and losing bone mass after age 40. No matter your age, our skilled surgeons at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX, can work with you to determine if corrective jaw surgery can help you and then will develop a personalized surgical plan to give you the results you want.
Minimum Age for Jaw Surgery
The minimum age for jaw surgery depends on when growth finishes. For females, the jaw stops growing at around 16 to 18 years old. Males take a little longer, with growth stopping between 18 and 21.
If you have jaw surgery before your jaw finishes developing, you may need more surgeries later on. To determine if your jaw has finished growing, orthodontists and oral surgeons often use a series of X-rays to monitor growth over time.
While it’s important to wait until the jaw fully develops before modifying it with surgery, some circumstances—like difficulty breathing, eating, or speaking—may demand action earlier. No matter the situation, our experienced team can evaluate your situation and help you choose the best plan for your needs.
Maximum Age for Jaw Surgery
No strict maximum age exists for jaw surgery, and overall health is a significant factor in whether you’re a good candidate. Patients over 40 choose orthognathic surgery less often than younger patients, but you can still see effective results at this age and beyond.
Patients who have corrective jaw surgery over 50 may have a higher risk of complications like fracture, temporary jaw dysfunction, and the need for hardware removal. This occurs because, as we age, our bone structure changes and becomes less dense, which can affect how well this procedure works.
However, every patient has their own unique anatomy, and our expert surgeons can perform a comprehensive assessment to help you decide if jaw surgery is right for you.
Recommended Age Range for Jaw Surgery
The most common age for corrective jaw surgery is from the late teens to early twenties. At that time, jaw growth has finished, and patients have the highest chance of excellent healing without complications. However, adults can still receive plenty of benefits from orthognathic surgery.
How Health Conditions Affect Jaw Surgery
Certain health conditions occur more often in older patients, and some of these can affect your eligibility for surgery. Health issues that may make surgery and recovery more challenging include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Kidney or liver disease
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Anemia
Older patients may have a higher risk of surgical complications, but with good general health, they may still benefit from corrective jaw surgery.
How Age Affects Recovery
Younger patients typically recover from surgery more quickly than older patients. Patients with fewer years under their belt often have healthier tissues, better overall health, and a stronger immune system, all of which help them heal faster.
On the other hand, younger patients also have a higher risk of post-surgical injury. Because they heal more quickly, they can feel “back to normal” sooner and forget to rest. Older patients feel their recovery more longer, but this allows them to take care with their healing jaw and avoid injury.
What Is Jaw Surgery, and Who Needs It?
Performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, corrective jaw surgery moves the bones of your lower jaw, upper jaw, or both. This procedure can shorten, lengthen, or reposition the jaw, depending on your unique needs and goals.
Orthognathic surgery corrects a wide range of dental and skeletal issues, including:
- Chronic jaw pain and headaches
- Trouble biting, chewing, and swallowing
- Gap between upper and lower teeth with a closed mouth
- Chronic pain from TMJ or jaw misalignment
- Unbalanced facial appearance
- Protruding or receding jaw
- Excessive tooth wear
- Mouth breathing
- Gummy smiles
- Facial injuries
- Sleep apnea
Not only can orthognathic surgery improve your jaw joint function, chewing ability, breathing, sleep, and speech, but it can also balance your smile and facial aesthetics.
Schedule Your Consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX
You don’t need to determine how well jaw surgery may work for you alone—our experts can help. During your consultation for jaw surgery, you will have a comprehensive examination using three-dimensional models, X-rays, and computer images to design a custom procedure for you.
We believe in a team approach and will work closely with your dentist and orthodontist throughout your treatment planning, surgery, and recovery. If you’re ready to take your first step toward a better bite, schedule your consultation today by calling us at (512) 327-7233 or requesting a consultation online today!