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If you are unhappy with the shape of your jaw or feel like your chin lacks definition, the issue may go deeper than appearance. A recessed lower jaw can affect your bite, breathing, and facial balance, making everyday functions more difficult.
This blog explains when orthognathic surgery for the lower jaw is the right choice. You will learn how it compares to chin implants, what problems it corrects, and what to expect during recovery.
We offer orthognathic surgery at our locations in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe and Show Low.
Table of Contents
- Why a Recessed Chin Happens
- Orthognathic Surgery for the Lower Jaw
- Chin Implant vs. Lower Jaw Surgery
- Recovery and What to Expect
- Book a Consultation With Our Oral Surgeons
If your recessed chin is caused by an underdeveloped lower jaw, a cosmetic approach will not solve the root problem. Orthognathic surgery for the lower jaw corrects deep structural imbalances that affect your bite, facial profile, and quality of life. It is a transformative solution with both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Why a Recessed Chin Happens
A recessed chin often traces back to a small or underdeveloped lower jaw. The medical term for this is mandibular retrognathia. In this condition, the lower jaw sits too far back relative to the upper jaw and the rest of the face. This imbalance changes your facial profile and disrupts your bite, which can lead to serious oral and airway problems.
Signs of a recessed lower jaw may include:
- Weak chin or sloping jawline: The chin looks small or recedes into the neck.
- Chronic overbite: The top teeth extend far beyond the lower teeth.
- Difficulty biting or chewing: Misalignment creates functional challenges during meals.
- Speech problems: Jaw imbalance can affect clarity and pronunciation.
- Snoring or breathing difficulty during sleep: A recessed jaw can narrow the airway and contribute to sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea.
Orthognathic Surgery for the Lower Jaw
Orthognathic surgery for the lower jaw, also known as mandibular advancement surgery or mandibular osteotomy, physically moves the lower jaw forward to correct alignment and improve overall function.
Unlike cosmetic treatments, this surgical procedure addresses deep skeletal imbalances that affect chewing, speech, breathing, and appearance.
When is this surgery needed?
- Severe overbite, open bite, or misaligned bite that orthodontic treatment alone cannot fully correct.
- Obstructive sleep apnea linked to jaw position and airway collapse.
- Jaw pain or clicking associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stress.
- Facial asymmetry or poor chin projection affecting self-image and oral function.
Mandibular advancement aligns the jaws, improves airway flow, relieves joint strain, and balances facial proportions. Some cases may involve both the upper jaw and lower jaw through combined mandibular and maxillary osteotomy for full correction.
Chin Implant vs. Lower Jaw Surgery
Many people with a recessed chin consider a chin implant for a quick cosmetic improvement. However, this approach only enhances surface appearance, not structure.
Chin implants are best for:
- Enhancing facial aesthetics in patients with a normal bite
- Creating a more defined jawline without correcting underlying skeletal issues
- Offering a fast, minimally invasive option with short recovery
Lower jaw surgery is best for:
- Patients with structural or functional problems caused by a misaligned lower jaw
- Correcting chronic bite issues, jaw pain, or airway restriction
- Achieving stable, long-term improvement in both function and appearance
Chin implants improve surface aesthetics. Orthognathic surgery restores the structural foundation of the lower face. In some cases, both procedures can be combined for optimal cosmetic and functional results, but jaw surgery should come first when bite correction is necessary.
What the Surgery Involves
Mandibular advancement surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon under general anesthesia. The procedure is done entirely inside the mouth, leaving no visible scars.
The basic steps include:
- Detailed treatment plan and surgical planning using 3D scans and models to map your jaw anatomy.
- Pre-surgical orthodontics to align teeth and prepare for proper bite closure. Rubber bands may be used to help guide alignment.
- Surgical advancement of the lower jaw by cutting and repositioning the bone forward using mandibular osteotomy techniques.
- Stabilization using titanium plates and screws to hold the jaw in its new position.
- Post-surgical orthodontics to refine the bite as healing progresses.
This complex, team-based corrective jaw surgery ensures safe, precise results for both function and aesthetics.
Recovery and What to Expect
Healing after lower jaw surgery is gradual. Most patients experience dramatic improvements in facial balance, bite comfort, and even sleep quality over time.
Recovery timeline:
- Week 1–2: Swelling and jaw stiffness are expected. A liquid or soft food diet is required. Pain is managed with prescribed or OTC pain medication.
- Week 3–6: Swelling decreases. Normal activity gradually resumes. Soft foods continue.
- 3–6 months: Jaw function improves. Patients regain full bite strength.
- 1 year: Complete healing and final bite stabilization.
Follow-up visits help ensure proper healing, and your surgical team will guide your return to normal chewing, speaking, and physical activity. Your maxillofacial surgeon will monitor your progress and adjust any remaining orthodontic treatment as needed. Learn more about recovery in our blog: Jaw Surgery Recovery: What to Expect in the Days and Weeks After Surgery.
Book a Consultation With Our Oral Surgeons
At AZ Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our board-certified maxillofacial surgeons specialize in complex jaw corrections, mandibular osteotomy, and functional bite realignment. To schedule a consultation at one of our 5 locations, call (480) 830-5866 or complete the online inquiry form. We have locations in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe or Show Low.
