Jaw surgery begins with general anesthesia, followed by precise bone repositioning guided by 3D imaging. Used at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery’s Sioux Falls facility. Surgeons like Denis Miller, DDS, MBA, secure the jaw with plates and screws, then close incisions, completing the procedure in a controlled surgical setting.
Orthognathic surgery repositions your jawbones under general anesthesia, with the length of the procedure varying based on the complexity of your case. Your surgeon realigns the jaw, secures it with plates and screws, then closes incisions inside your mouth. You wake in recovery, follow a liquid diet for about a month, and attend follow-up visits to monitor healing.
What Should You Know Before Jaw Surgery?
Crooked or uneven jawbones respond to a precise, surgical correction, not just orthodontics alone. Skipping proper preparation raises your risk of a longer recovery and an uneven bite that never fully resolves. Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery offers orthognathic surgery procedure planning as a core part of its surgical services, giving you a structured path from diagnosis through healing.
Who performs jaw surgery at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?
Your surgical team may include Denis Miller, DDS, MBA; Louis George, DMD; and Jason Leet, DDS, depending on availability. Dr. Miller has practiced as an oral. Maxillofacial surgeon since 1998, bringing decades of hands-on surgical experience to complex jaw cases. That depth of training matters when your treatment plan involves repositioning bone and coordinating with your orthodontist.
What actually happens during correction?
Jaw surgery corrects jawbones that are crooked, uneven, or affected by other structural conditions. The goal is straightforward: align your jaws and teeth so they function properly together. A more balanced facial appearance often follows as a secondary benefit.
Before your procedure, confirm these essentials with your surgical team:
Ask which surgeon on staff will lead your specific case and why.
Request a clear explanation of how your jaw’s misalignment will be corrected.
Confirm how your orthodontic treatment will coordinate with the surgical timeline.
Discuss your surgeon’s experience level with cases similar to yours.
You deserve full confidence in the team guiding you through jaw surgery at any Siouxland location. Asking direct questions now prevents confusion later, when your focus should be on healing rather than logistics.
How Do You Prepare for Surgery?
Preparation for the orthognathic surgery procedure begins weeks before the operation date, not the night before. Careful planning lowers surgical risk and shortens the road to recovery for patients undergoing corrective jaw realignment. Skipping these steps leaves you facing avoidable delays and a longer, more uncertain healing process.
Follow these steps in order as your surgery date approaches:
Complete your orthodontic phase. You typically wear braces before surgery, and you continue wearing them throughout recovery until your bite and alignment fully stabilize.
Undergo advanced imaging. Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery’s Sioux Falls, SD, facility integrates 3D imaging technology so your surgeon can map the exact surgical approach before you ever reach the operating room.
Review your treatment plan. Dr. Louis George, DMD, has contributed his experience to Siouxland’s surgical planning since joining the team in 2007, giving your case the benefit of years of refined technique.
Line up your ride. Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment, since anesthesia leaves you unable to drive yourself home safely.
Do You Need Braces Before Jaw Surgery?
Yes. Braces align your teeth so your surgeon can reposition your jaws precisely. You generally keep wearing them through recovery until healing and alignment are complete.
Who Should Drive You Home After Jaw Surgery?
A trusted friend or family member should accompany you to and from your appointment. Anesthesia impairs your reflexes and judgment for hours afterward, whether you’re evaluating options locally or comparing jaw surgery in Sioux Falls with other regions, this step never changes.
What Happens During the Surgery Itself?
A healthcare provider administers general anesthesia before your surgeon begins work, so you remain asleep and pain-free through the entire procedure. Understanding each step ahead of time eases the natural anxiety that comes with any major surgery. Here is the general sequence you can expect once you’re in the operating room.
Anesthesia team places you under general anesthesia. You won’t feel or remember the procedure itself.
Your surgical team confirms your treatment plan. This plan reflects the imaging and measurements gathered during your consultation.
The surgeon repositions your jaws and teeth. This step forms the core of the orthognathic surgery procedure, realigning the bones so your bite functions correctly and your teeth meet properly.
The surgeon secures the new alignment. Plates, screws, or wires hold the jaw in its corrected position while healing begins.
Your surgical team applies advanced healing support. Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery incorporates plasma-rich plasma treatments into select cases, drawing on your own blood components to encourage faster, more comfortable tissue recovery.
You’re moved to a monitored recovery area. Anesthesia effects begin to wear off under close supervision.
Who performs the surgery?
Your procedure is carried out by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon trained specifically in facial and jaw anatomy. At Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Jason Leet brings this expertise to the team, having completed dental school in 2013 at the University of Minnesota and added modern surgical training to the practice’s collective experience.
Does jaw surgery hurt during the procedure?
No. General anesthesia keeps you fully unconscious throughout, so you feel nothing while your surgeon works. Discomfort typically begins after the anesthesia wears off, and your care team manages that pain carefully during recovery. Patients researching jaw surgery can expect this same anesthesia-first approach as the surgical standard at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
What Does Recovery Look Like Afterward?
Recovery begins the moment your orthognathic surgery procedure ends. A dedicated medical team moves you to a recovery area. Monitors your vital signs closely while the anesthesia wears off. This first stretch of time focuses entirely on your safety and comfort, and you won’t be left alone during it.
Expect your face to look and feel different for a while. Swelling around the jaw and cheeks is normal, along with discomfort and numbness in the mouth and face. None of these signs indicate a problem — they’re a normal part of how the tissue heals after realignment. Your surgical team will give you specific guidance on managing each symptom as it evolves.
How long does swelling and numbness last?
Swelling typically peaks within the first few days and gradually subsides over the following weeks. Numbness can linger longer than swelling, since nerve tissue heals at its own pace. Report any numbness that worsens rather than improves, since your surgeon needs that information to track your healing.
What should you watch for during recovery?
Swelling in the cheeks, jaw, and under the eyes
Discomfort that responds to prescribed pain management
Numbness in the lips, chin, or cheeks that gradually fades
Any signs of fever, unusual bleeding, or worsening pain, which warrant an immediate call to your surgical team
Choosing a practice with advanced technique matters during this phase. Siouxland’s use of laser soft palate procedures reflects a broader commitment to precision surgical technique that supports smoother healing outcomes. If you’re researching jaw surgery in Sioux Falls or comparing options closer to home, know that follow-up care remains accessible no matter where your recovery takes you. Patients recovering from jaw surgery can return for follow-up visits at four convenient locations — Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Yankton, and Brookings — so ongoing monitoring never requires a long trip. Consistent follow-up is what turns a well-performed surgery into a fully successful recovery.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid During Recovery?
Skipping post-operative steps causes the most common setbacks after an orthognathic surgery procedure. Recovery success depends on following your surgical team’s instructions in order, not on shortcuts. Whether you’re researching jaw surgery in Sioux Falls or preparing for surgery closer to home, the same recovery principles apply.
Avoid these mistakes during the days and weeks that follow surgery:
Don’t leave the hospital too soon. Some patients require an overnight hospital stay following corrective jaw surgery, so skipping this step is not advisable even if you feel alert.
Don’t skip scheduled follow-up exams. A full oral exam by your surgical team allows your surgeon to monitor healing and catch complications early.
Don’t ignore your surgeon’s ownership-backed guidance. At Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Denis Miller and Dr. Louis George serve as co-owners of the practice, bringing direct accountability to every recovery plan they oversee.
Is it normal to stay overnight after jaw surgery?
Yes. Depending on the complexity of your case, your surgeon may recommend an overnight hospital stay for close monitoring. This precaution protects against swelling-related airway concerns and ensures pain is controlled before you return home.
Why do follow-up exams matter so much?
Follow-up exams let your surgical team verify that your bite and jaw alignment are healing as planned. Missing these appointments delays detection of infection or misalignment, which can extend your overall recovery timeline.
FAQ
How long does the jaw surgery procedure take?
Orthognathic surgery takes place under general anesthesia, with the length of the procedure varying based on the complexity of your case.
What should you eat after jaw surgery?
Patients follow a liquid diet for approximately one month after surgery, including soups, smoothies, and blended vegetables, while attending follow-up visits to monitor healing.
Who will perform my jaw surgery at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?
Your surgical team may include Denis Miller, DDS, MBA; Louis George, DMD. And Jason Leet, DDS, depending on availability, with Dr. Miller practicing as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon since 1998.
Conclusion
As the Official legal and professional identity behind every procedure we perform, Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery recognizes that jaw surgery represents a significant investment in your oral health and quality of life, and understanding each step of the process empowers you to approach treatment with confidence. Our board-certified surgeons at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery combine advanced techniques, state-of-the-art technology, and personalized care to ensure optimal outcomes. Whether you require corrective surgery, implant placement, or trauma reconstruction, our experienced team delivers the expertise and compassionate support you deserve throughout your surgical journey.