Answers at a Glance
What an underbite is, How is it treated?
An underbite is a skeletal Class III malocclusion in which the lower jaw sits farther forward than the upper jaw, so the front teeth bite in reverse (crossbite). It affects chewing, speech, and the jaw joint, and makes the side profile look long and concave. When the whole lower jaw is forward, the jaw is moved back with orthognathic (double jaw) surgery or lower jaw surgery; when the bite is normal and only the chin protrudes, it is resolved with genioplasty (chin surgery). The Barunface first determines which type it is through 3D CT and bite analysis, and if it is a skeletal malocclusion for which orthognathic surgery is appropriate, we recommend it as the first choice.
- 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
- For those whose front teeth bite in reverse and who find it hard to bite food with their front teeth
- For those whose chin protrudes forward in profile, or whose area below the nose and lips looks sunken
- Patients whose orthodontist has recommended surgical orthodontics
- For those who didn't see enough change after a previous chin surgery
- For those with slurred pronunciation or jaw joint discomfort
Dr. Lee explains underbite in a video
On the YouTube channel 'Andoel Teogi Innayo,' Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often receives in the consultation room. Here we have gathered only the videos related to underbite. 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.
What types of underbite are there?
There are two types: ① the whole lower jaw has grown forward, and ② the bite is aligned but only the chin area protrudes. In some cases, an underjaw looks prominent because the upper jaw is underdeveloped, so upper jaw advancement may also be needed.
How does surgery differ by type?
For a problem involving the whole jaw, we perform orthognathic (double jaw) surgery (upper jaw advancement + lower jaw setback) or lower jaw surgery (setting back only the lower jaw with SSRO). For a problem limited to the chin tip, we perform chin contouring surgery, cutting the chin bone and moving it backward.
Can chin surgery alone resolve an underbite?
Genioplasty alone is possible only when the bite is normal and just the chin protrudes. If the whole lower jaw sits forward and only chin surgery is done, the change will not be as much as expected. The story of a patient who was dissatisfied with a previous chin surgery and visited us while considering orthognathic surgery is in <a href="/stories">Patient Stories</a>.
Can't I just have lower jaw surgery instead of orthognathic (double jaw) surgery?
If the height, tilt, and front-to-back position of the upper jaw are normal, lower jaw surgery alone may be enough. If the upper jaw is set back or tilted, setting back only the lower jaw can narrow the airway or flatten the profile, so orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is the right choice. We decide based on 3D analysis.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend underbite surgery is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, recorded 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.
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 after underbite surgery generally proceeds in the order below. The timeframes reflect 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 oversees your underbite 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)
Underbite FAQ 13 questions
01How much does underbite 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 does recovery take after underbite 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 underbite 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 underbite 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.
05For an underbite, is it okay to have 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.
06When is the right time for underbite surgery?
It is done after jaw growth has finished, around age 18. If growth is still ongoing, the condition may come back.
07Can an underbite be corrected with orthodontics alone?
A mild dental (tooth-related) crossbite can be corrected, but a skeletal underbite is difficult to correct with orthodontics alone, and forcing the teeth into place tilts them considerably.
08Won't my side profile look flat after surgery?
That can happen if only the lower jaw is set back significantly. We plan the upper jaw advancement together and check your profile proportions with a 3D simulation.
09Can sleep apnea develop?
Moving the lower jaw back can narrow the airway, so we always evaluate the airway space together when planning surgery.
10What about surgery time and hospital stay?
Orthognathic (double jaw) surgery takes 3–4 hours with a 1–3 day hospital stay; lower jaw surgery takes 2–3 hours with a 1–2 day stay; chin surgery takes about 1 hour with a 1 day stay.
11What about the cost?
Reference prices are KRW 14,000,000 for orthognathic (double jaw) surgery, KRW 9,000,000 for lower jaw surgery, and KRW 4,000,000 for chin surgery (VAT excluded). Anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are separate.
12What is the chance of recurrence?
The larger the movement, the more likely it is. We reduce it through precise planning and fixation, along with orthodontics after surgery.
13Is orthodontic treatment before surgery required?
Most cases need it, and a surgery-first approach may also be possible depending on your bite. We decide together with the orthodontics department.
Underbite-related 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.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed