Answers at a Glance
What is lower jaw surgery, and who is it right for?
Mandibular surgery is a jaw correction surgery in which only the lower jaw is cut and moved backward (underbite) or forward (receding chin), leaving the upper jaw as it is; sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) is the most common method. It is suitable when the height, tilt, and front-to-back position of the upper jaw are normal and only the lower jaw is the problem, and it involves a shorter operation and less recovery burden than double jaw surgery. Which one is right is determined by 3D CT and bite analysis, and an upper jaw problem is never forced to fit by adjusting the lower jaw alone.
- 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 ·
Request a Consultation Consultation Prep Card13 frequently asked questions
- Surgery Time
- Approx. 2–3 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia · Anesthesiologist
- Hospital Stay
- Private inpatient room, 1–2 days
- Suture Removal
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 2–3 weeks
- Pin Removal
- 6–12 months later, 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
- Those with an underbite but a normally positioned upper jaw
- Those with a receding chin due to a small lower jaw but a normal upper jaw
- People whose main concern is lower jaw asymmetry
- Those who have been advised by an orthodontist to have lower jaw surgery
Mandibular Surgery: Dr. Lee Explains in Video
On the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often receives in the consultation room. This collection includes only the videos related to mandibular surgery. Click to play them right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
and what kind of surgery is SSRO?
In this surgery, the rear part of the lower jaw bone (ramus) is split into two layers, inner and outer (sagittal split), the front part holding the teeth is moved to the desired position, and it is fixed with plates. The bone segments overlap over a wide area, so they heal stably, and the surgery is performed from inside the mouth without cutting the facial skin.
How do you decide between double jaw surgery and mandibular surgery?
If the vertical length, bite plane angle, and front-to-back position of the upper jaw are within the normal range, mandibular surgery alone is sufficient. If the upper jaw is long, tilted, or set back, moving only the lower jaw will not bring the bite and face into balance, so orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is needed.
Is recovery from lower jaw surgery easier than from orthognathic (double jaw) surgery?
The surgery is shorter and there is no upper jaw swelling, so overall swelling and recovery tend to be shorter than with double jaw surgery. However, because the area where the lower jaw nerve runs is treated, the possibility of reduced sensation in the lower lip and chin is the same.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend mandibular surgery is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, in his 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.
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 after mandibular 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 consults with you follows your mandibular surgery 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)
Lower jaw surgery FAQ 13 questions
01How much does mandibular surgery cost in Busan?
According to The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, lower jaw surgery is KRW 9,000,000 and orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is KRW 14,000,000. Orthognathic surgery is a non-covered treatment. The surgery cost varies depending on the scope of surgery (double jaw, lower jaw, or combined) and on anesthesia, hospitalization, and test items, and will be provided in writing after diagnosis. You can check the base prices in the non-covered fee schedule on our website. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is recovery after mandibular surgery?
Returning to daily life usually takes 2–3 weeks. Right after surgery – Day 3: Pain and swelling management during hospitalization, ice packs, and keeping the upper body upright. Swelling-management injections and regenerative laser treatment are applied depending on your condition. Weeks 1–2: Liquid diet, oral hygiene, and light walks. Stitches are removed around week 2. This is when swelling visibly decreases. Weeks 3–6: Gradually progress to soft foods and return to social life. Orthodontic treatment resumes with the orthodontics department after surgery. Month 3 – Year 1: Residual swelling and sensation gradually recover. Once the bone has healed firmly, the fixation pins can be removed if needed. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of lower jaw 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 the anesthesia and hospital stay for mandibular surgery?
Surgery takes about 2–3 hours, under general anesthesia administered by an anesthesiologist, with 1–2 days in a private hospital room. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, treats you personally.
05Can I have lower jaw 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.
06How long is mandibular surgery, and is a hospital stay needed?
About 2–3 hours, with 1–2 days of hospitalization.
07Is the skin incised?
We approach from inside the mouth without cutting the facial skin. The degree of recovery varies from person to person.
08Will there be reduced sensation?
Sensation in the lower lip and chin may be temporarily dulled, and most people recover within several months. In rare cases, some numbness may remain.
09Is orthodontic treatment needed?
Most cases require orthodontic treatment before and after surgery.
10What about the cost?
According to the fee schedule, lower jaw surgery is KRW 9,000,000. Anesthesia, hospitalization, and test fees are separate.
11Could I need double jaw surgery later?
If patients with a normal upper jaw are accurately selected, this is unlikely. If the 3D analysis is unclear, we recommend orthognathic (double jaw) surgery.
12What about eating after surgery?
A liquid diet for about 2 weeks, then gradually moving on to soft foods.
13What about pin removal?
If needed, the pins are removed after 6–12 months, and the pin removal fee for patients who had surgery at our clinic is KRW 1,500,000.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Lower Jaw Surgery | 90010,000 KRW |
| Orthognathic (Double Jaw) Surgery | 1,40010,000 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.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed