Orthognathic surgery information and whether insurance covers its cost or not?

Facial irregularities largely affect the look of a person and this is a common problem faced by wider section of the country. Apart from face, problem of irregular jaw is widely spread. Orthognathic Surgery refers to the procedure with which facial looks of the person can be improved. The surgery corrects jaw and face related structure problems, growth, TMJ disorders, and those orthodontic problems that cannot be treated with braces and is often referred as corrective jaw surgery.

Modification is done in jaw structure by making cuts in the bone of mandible/maxilla and repositioning cut pieces in desired alignment. The procedure is taken over by oral and maxillofacial or craniofacial surgeon along with an orthodontist, because in general braces are required before and after surgery, as well as retainers to restore teeth properly.

In order to derive successful results the orthodontist and surgeon must coordinate carefully and reconstruct cleft palate and major craniofacial anomalies. Introduction of new and advanced techniques and instruments for surgery has made it relatively safe and it has always been effective. General anaesthetic and nasal tube for intubation is used during the surgical process.

Additionally, some post operation measures such as sticking to liquid diet, and subsequently switching off to soft food and later on the harder ones for the process to be really successful without any complexity.

Orthognathic Surgery includes correction of bite, aesthetic face and enlarged airway and brings significant qualitative and quantitative improvement in life. Though the complications are not many or harsh still bleeding, swelling, infection, nausea and vomiting may be observed. Numbness if occur is usually temporary and permanent in rare cases.

Most of the orthodontic insurance plans or dental plans do not cover mild under bite and overbite to be corrected under Orthognathic’s, as it is thought to be for cosmetic purpose only. But, you can find such surgeons who can help you in getting the Orthognathic Surgery cost covered under insurance.

Orthognathic Surgery cost varies with the country & hospital it is taken in and mainly on the complications of the case to be resolved in the surgery. Additionally, whether the operation is for single jaw or it is for entire jaw is a major determining factor of its price and rounds off around USD 12,000 excluding charges for hospital stay of 1-2 day etc.