The process: orthodontics and surgery, one plan
What happens in the operating room is only one part. Before and after, there's a journey, and it's traveled as a team.
It all starts with a complete study
The first consultation is to listen to you and examine you calmly: what bothers you, what worries you, your history and how you see yourself. Then comes a complete orthodontic-surgical study, with 3D scans, a scan of your teeth and photographs, which let us look at your face, your bite and your smile virtually, from every angle. That diagnosis is evaluated as a team and, when the case calls for it, other specialties join in, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) specialists, gastroenterology or ear, nose and throat (ENT). That way you leave with a clear plan, with its options, pros and cons, not with a treatment imposed on you.
The preparation: the journey
Orthodontics plans your face from the position of the teeth and walks with you along the way. At this stage, the teeth are placed where they'll be needed after surgery, not where they currently compensate for the position of the bones. That's why, sometimes, the bite seems to go backward before it moves forward: it's part of the plan, not a step back. A good plan is one that keeps moving forward even when difficulties come up. This can be with your trusted orthodontist or with the Dental Concept Studio team; what matters is that the team talks to each other.
Planning and surgery: the change
When the bite is ready, your tests are updated and the surgery is planned virtually on a digital twin of your face. Questions are answered beforehand, in the earlier appointments, not at the operating room door. The day of surgery is the moment to make everything you've prepared a reality: you go to sleep under general anesthesia, the team carries out the plan and, when you wake up, the change is already done. Usually, you go home the next day.
Fine-tuning and follow-up visits
After surgery comes a stage of orthodontics to fine-tune the bite in its new position, along with the team's follow-up visits. This is the part where everything settles: the bite, the joint, and a face whose swelling goes down and that looks more natural every day. In the traditional approach, orthodontic preparation takes 12 to 24 months on average, and the full treatment generally about 6 more months. These are reference points: some cases are faster and others take longer. Starting to get it organized today is already moving forward.
Maxillofacial physiotherapy: in every case
Maxillofacial physiotherapy is part of the treatment for everyone we operate on, and it's key to a quick and successful recovery. It's there from the first days and, as part of the team, keeps watch that everything progresses smoothly. It helps the swelling go down and works on sensation, proper movement of the lower jaw and retraining the muscle functions that were altered, so that chewing, speaking and opening your mouth feel natural in the new position. That work helps the whole treatment succeed and stay stable in the long term.
Psychology: when your case needs it
A change in your face is also experienced on the inside. When the case calls for it, psychology joins the team. This is decided case by case, with you, and it can support you before surgery or while you adapt to what's new, so you can go through the process with more peace of mind.
Every journey starts with an evaluation. That's where we look at your whole case and build a plan together, with realistic timelines.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole orthodontics and surgery process take?
In the traditional approach, orthodontic preparation takes 12 to 24 months on average, and the full treatment generally about 6 more months. These are reference points, not a fixed number: it depends on how much the bite needs to move, on how each person responds and on the follow-up visits. At your evaluation, we give you an estimated timeline for your case.
What is the orthodontic-surgical study?
It's the foundation of the whole plan. It brings together the clinical exam, a conversation about what bothers you and what worries you, 3D scans, a scan of your teeth, photographs and other studies depending on your case. With all that, we reach a three-dimensional diagnosis of your face, your bite and your smile, which the team evaluates together before offering you options.
Why do I need orthodontics before surgery?
Because the bite built beforehand is what guides the position of the bones during surgery. Orthodontics places the teeth where they'll be needed afterward, so that the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible) reach a stable, harmonious position. In some cases, the order can be reversed: this is known as surgery first.
Why does my bite look worse during the preparation?
Because the teeth stop compensating for the position of the bones and move to where they'll be after surgery. For a while, the bite may look or feel different. It's part of the plan: the change is being prepared.
Can I go through the process with my current orthodontist?
Yes. I work with different orthodontists; what matters is that the team coordinates from the start and talks through each stage. If you don't have an orthodontist, the clinic's orthodontics team at Dental Concept Studio will be by your side.
Are braces or aligners used?
All options are available. We choose what's most practical and suitable for your case, considering the movements your bite needs before and after surgery. Your orthodontist decides this together with the rest of the team.
Who else is part of the team?
Besides surgery and orthodontics, maxillofacial physiotherapy supports everyone we operate on: it's key to a quick recovery and to keeping the result stable. When the case calls for it, psychology or other specialties join in, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) specialists, gastroenterology or ear, nose and throat (ENT). The team is put together according to what your case needs.
When should I start if I want to have surgery in the summer?
It's best to plan ahead. If you're already in treatment, ideally you'll reach the end of the year with your tests and follow-up up to date, because operating rooms are scheduled in advance. If you're just starting, your evaluation will tell you what timelines are realistic for your case.
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