Answers at a Glance
What facial asymmetry is, and How is it treated?
Facial asymmetry is a condition in which the jawbone is twisted to one side, or the height or length differs between the left and right sides, so the chin deviates from the midline and the two sides of the face look different. Skeletal asymmetry is corrected with orthognathic surgery, which addresses the tilt of the upper jaw (canting) and the rotation of the lower jaw together, and if needed, contouring surgery can refine differences in shape between the left and right sides. However, asymmetry that is "perceived" because of differences in eye or ear height, nose tilt, or volume cannot all be resolved by surgery, so The Barunface measures the degree of skeletal asymmetry with 3D CT and recommends surgery only when it is needed.
- Operating Surgeon
- Board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee (20+ years in oral & maxillofacial surgery, about 15 years focused on orthognathic and contouring surgery)
- Diagnosis · Planning
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT), intraoral scanner, 3D VSP software, in-house 3D printing
- Anesthesia · Safety
- General anesthesia operating room · recovery room, anesthesiologist, BIS, respiratory and CO₂ monitoring, emergency equipment, UPS
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
- Surgery Time
- About 3–4 hours (longer for combined procedures)
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia · Managed by an anesthesiologist
- Hospital Stay
- 1–3 days in a private room
- Suture Removal
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 2–3 weeks (varies by individual)
- Pin Removal
- 6–12 months after surgery (if needed)
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- If your chin appears shifted to one side
- If your mouth corners or teeth line look tilted when you smile
- Those whose one side of the jaw looks longer or more angular
- If your bite is shifted to one side and chewing is uncomfortable
- If you want to be diagnosed on whether your facial asymmetry calls for surgery
Facial asymmetry, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
From the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’ (“Is There a Jaw That Can't Be Fixed?”), we have gathered only the videos related to facial asymmetry, in which Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions frequently asked in the consultation room. Click to play right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
How is facial asymmetry diagnosed?
On 3D CT, we measure the facial midline, the tilt of the upper jaw's occlusal plane, the left-right length and rotation of the lower jaw, and the amount of chin deviation numerically. If the measurements are within the average Korean range and the differences are only slight, surgery is not indicated.
How is the surgery done?
We level the tilted bite plane of the upper jaw (Le Fort I), then rotate and move the twisted lower jaw to the midline (SSRO) and fix it in place. If differences in the shape of the left and right jaw remain, square jaw and chin contouring surgery are performed together.
Will surgery make my face completely symmetrical?
Perfect symmetry does not exist. Skeletal asymmetry can be greatly reduced, but left-right differences in the eyes, ears, nose, and soft tissue remain. We honestly explain your expectations by distinguishing between the asymmetry you perceive and your actual skeletal condition.
Are there cases where you don't recommend surgery?
No. We have consultation records of not recommending surgery to patients whose measurements fall within the average range and who have only slight asymmetry, or whose sense of a protruding jaw is not an actual skeletal problem. If needed, we refer you to the orthodontics department for an additional bite evaluation.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend surgery for facial asymmetry is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, in the director's own words.
The "gains" from surgery, such as improved function or aesthetics, must always outweigh the price (the "losses") that must be paid for undergoing surgery.
The goals and direction the patient hopes to achieve through surgery must match the goals and direction of the surgeon performing it.
A consultation where surgery was not recommended
Even when patients come with the same concern, there are cases where surgery is not the answer once skeletal condition and the desired change are considered. This is the conclusion of a consultation where the director made that judgment.
There is a slight facial asymmetry and the chin appears to protrude, but the actual skeletal condition does not call for orthognathic (double jaw) surgery, so I do not recommend surgery.
See the three consultations where surgery was not recommended
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
Facial bone surgery is not decided by appearance alone. At your first consultation, we record how your bones, teeth, and face relate to one another using the tests below, and first judge from that data whether surgery is needed.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| 3D CT (Large FOV CBCT) | We view the entire facial skeleton, along with the positions of nerves and tooth roots, in 3D. It can be taken on the day of your consultation. |
| Intraoral Scan · Dental Model | We digitally record how your upper and lower teeth fit together. |
| Facial Photos · Measurements | Using front, 45-degree, and side photos, we measure left-right differences and proportions. |
| 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) | On a 3D model that combines your CT, scans, photos, and models, Dr. Lee performs the surgery virtually first, and we review the expected changes together. |
What to Bring
- Referral from your orthodontist and orthodontic diagnosis records (if available)
- Previously taken CT, panoramic, and cephalometric images (records from other clinics are helpful too)
- Front and side-profile photos (to explain the changes you would like)
- Names of medications you are taking, systemic conditions, surgical history, and allergies
- Your school or vacation schedule, so we can plan surgery and recovery
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
First Consultation · 3D CT Scan
We measure the skeleton, bite, airway, and asymmetry using facial photos, 3D CT, an intraoral scan, and dental models. We will honestly tell you, first of all, whether your face needs surgery.
- 02
Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP)
Dr. Lee personally determines the amount and direction of jaw movement on the 3D model, and explains the expected facial changes with 3D images.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests · Collaboration with Orthodontics
We perform pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG, and coordinate the timing of surgery and bite goals with your orthodontist. The surgical guide (wafer) is 3D-printed in-house.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
After 3–4 hours of surgery under general anesthesia, you pass through the recovery room and stay 1–3 days in a private room. A guardian may also stay by your side, within reasonable limits.
- 05
Follow-Up After Discharge
Dr. Lee personally checks in at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. If needed, the fixation pins are removed after 6–12 months.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery from facial asymmetry surgery generally proceeds in the order below. The timeline reflects an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 3 days | Pain and swelling management during your hospital stay, ice packs, and keeping your upper body raised. Swelling-control injections and regenerative laser are applied depending on your condition. |
| 1 – 2 weeks | Liquid diet, oral rinsing, and light walks. Stitches are removed around the 2-week mark. This is when swelling visibly decreases. |
| 3 – 6 weeks | Gradually moving to soft foods and returning to daily life. Your orthodontist resumes post-surgery orthodontic treatment. |
| 3 months – 1 year | Residual swelling and sensation recover gradually. After the bone has firmly healed, the fixation plates are removed if needed. |
The director who conducts your consultation oversees your facial asymmetry care from start to finish
At The Barunface, one person, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, handles the consultation, diagnosis, 3D surgical planning, surgery, inpatient rounds, and follow-up. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the surgeon who performs your surgery remembers the concerns and diagnosis from your first consultation, you can ask the same person directly about questions that arise during recovery, such as swelling, sensation, and bite after surgery. Since we are located in Seomyeon, you do not have to make long trips for each follow-up visit.
Before the actual surgery, I perform the surgery on a computer first. I try it one way and another, and think it through carefully. In the past, I could only imagine the jaw position and facial appearance after surgery in my head, but now I can see it directly in 3D, which helps me a great deal and helps patients understand the surgery much more easily.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Operating Surgeon
- Board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee (20+ years in oral & maxillofacial surgery, about 15 years focused on orthognathic and contouring surgery)
- Diagnosis · Planning
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT), intraoral scanner, 3D VSP software, in-house 3D printing
- Anesthesia · Safety
- General anesthesia operating room · recovery room, anesthesiologist, BIS, respiratory and CO₂ monitoring, emergency equipment, UPS
- Hospitalization · Recovery
- 4 private single-patient inpatient rooms on a separate floor, central patient monitoring, Smartlux · LDM · Shurink recovery programs
- Insurance
- Not covered by insurance (some coverage criteria, such as for congenital deformities, will be explained during consultation)
Facial asymmetry FAQ 13 questions
01How much does facial asymmetry surgery cost in Busan?
Based on The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, mandible surgery is KRW 9,000,000, orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is KRW 14,000,000, and the combined surgery add-on for the chin is KRW 2,000,000. Orthognathic surgery is a non-covered treatment. The surgery fee varies depending on the scope of surgery (double jaw, mandible, combined) and the anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination items, and is provided in writing after diagnosis. You can check the reference amounts in the non-covered fee schedule on our website. The exact total is provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is the recovery period for facial asymmetry surgery?
Returning to daily life usually takes 2–3 weeks (varies by individual). Immediately after surgery – Day 3: Pain and swelling management during hospitalization, ice packs, upper body kept upright. Swelling-control injections and regenerative laser are applied depending on your condition. Weeks 1–2: Liquid diet, oral rinsing, light walks. Stitches are removed around week 2. This is when swelling noticeably decreases. Weeks 3–6: Progress to soft foods and return to social life. Orthodontic treatment resumes with your orthodontist after surgery. Month 3 – Year 1: Residual swelling and sensation gradually recover. After the bone has firmly healed, the fixation pins are removed if necessary. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of facial asymmetry surgery?
After orthognathic surgery, there may be reduced sensation in the lip and chin area (mostly recovering within several months, rarely persisting), bleeding, infection, swelling and bruising, jaw joint discomfort, changes in bite, plate-related problems, and the possibility of reoperation. There are also risks associated with general anesthesia. Results and recovery speed vary from person to person, so please make your decision carefully after receiving a thorough explanation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory abnormalities, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of reoperation, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy during your consultation.
04What are anesthesia and hospital stay like for facial asymmetry surgery?
Surgery takes about 3–4 hours (longer for combined procedures), under general anesthesia managed by an anesthesiologist, followed by a 1–3 day stay in a private room. At The Barunface, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee personally treats every patient.
05Is it okay to have facial asymmetry surgery in Busan instead of Seoul?
We do not claim that we are unconditionally better than a large hospital in Seoul. However, at The Barunface in Seomyeon, Busan, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon trained at Seoul National University Dental Hospital and Asan Medical Center in Seoul personally handles your consultation, 3D surgical planning, surgery, private-room recovery, and follow-up care. If a problem arises after surgery, you can check directly with your operating surgeon nearby. Stories from patients who considered Seoul but chose Busan are on the 'Orthognathic Surgery: Do I Need to Go to Seoul?' page.
06Do I need surgery even if the asymmetry isn't severe?
We take numerical measurements and do not recommend surgery if they fall within the average range. How much asymmetry you perceive may differ from the actual condition of the bone.
07Can't we just move the chin?
If only the chin is asymmetrical, genioplasty (chin surgery) may be enough. If there is a tilt of the upper jaw and rotation of the lower jaw, orthognathic surgery is needed.
08Can orthodontics alone correct asymmetry?
Asymmetry in tooth alignment can be corrected with orthodontics, but skeletal asymmetry cannot be resolved by orthodontics alone.
09Does it come back after surgery?
Precise planning, stable fixation, and orthodontics after surgery reduce the asymmetry, but there is a possibility that some of it may return.
10What about surgery time and hospital stay?
Like orthognathic surgery, it takes 3–4 hours, with a 1–3 day hospital stay. It takes longer if contouring is done together.
11What about the cost?
The fee for orthognathic surgery (KRW 14 million) is increased by the combined surgery items required, plus anesthesia and hospitalization costs. We provide a written quote after diagnosis.
12Do you also operate on asymmetry caused by jaw joint (TMJ) problems?
For asymmetry that is progressing because of resorption of one joint, stabilizing the joint comes first. The timing of surgery is decided after the progression has stopped.
13Can students who are still growing have surgery?
Surgery is done after growth has finished. If the patient is still growing, we monitor progress together with the orthodontics department.
Facial Asymmetry Cases
These photos are published with the patients' consent. Photographing conditions may not be exactly the same, and results vary from person to person.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Lower Jaw Surgery | 90010,000 KRW |
| Orthognathic (Double Jaw) Surgery | 1,40010,000 KRW |
| Added to combined surgery · Chin | 20010,000 KRW |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Orthognathic surgery is a non-covered (not covered by national health insurance) treatment. The surgery fee varies depending on the scope of surgery (double jaw, lower jaw, combined) and the anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination items, and is provided in writing after diagnosis. You can check the standard amounts in the non-covered fee schedule on our website. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After orthognathic surgery, there may be reduced sensation in the lip and chin area (mostly recovering within several months, rarely persisting), bleeding, infection, swelling and bruising, jaw joint discomfort, changes in bite, plate-related problems, and the possibility of reoperation. There are also risks associated with general anesthesia. Results and recovery speed vary from person to person, so please make your decision carefully after receiving a thorough explanation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory abnormalities, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of reoperation, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
Related treatments
Further reading
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed