Surgery depends on the severity of your case and the alignment of your jaw. We will let you know if you should consider orthognathic surgery as part of your treatment.
- Significant overbite, underbite, or crossbite caused by the jaw structure rather than tooth position alone
- An open bite related to how the jaws developed
- Facial asymmetry caused by uneven jaw growth
- Obstructive sleep apnoea linked to jaw structure
- Difficulty chewing, biting, or speaking due to jaw misalignment
- Cases where delaying treatment into adulthood has made the problem more complex — such as the deep overbite patient in our patient gallery who required surgery at age 25 because treatment was not started earlier
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Bettagere. Using a clinical examination, X-rays, and 3D imaging, she can determine whether your bite issue is primarily dental — treatable with braces alone — or skeletal, requiring surgical correction.
Many patients are pleasantly surprised to learn their issue can be resolved with orthodontics alone. But for those who do need surgery, Dr. Bettagere will refer you to a trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the Anderson or Indianapolis area and coordinate your complete treatment plan from start to finish.
Surgical orthodontic treatment happens in three phases:
Phase 1 — Pre-Surgical Orthodontics (12–18 months)Braces are placed first to align the teeth to their ideal position within each jaw independently, preparing for surgery. This step is essential before any surgical procedure.
Phase 2 — SurgeryThe oral and maxillofacial surgeon repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and typically involves a short hospital stay. Dr. Bettagere coordinates closely with the surgeon throughout this phase.
Phase 3 — Post-Surgical Orthodontics (6–12 months)After healing, Dr. Bettagere fine-tunes the bite and tooth alignment to achieve the final, polished result.
Total treatment time is typically 18 to 36 months depending on case complexity.
As with any surgical procedure, orthognathic surgery carries some risks, including temporary numbness, swelling, and the general risks associated with general anaesthesia. However, orthognathic surgery is a well-established procedure performed by highly trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons with extensive experience in jaw correction.
Dr. Bettagere will only refer patients to oral surgeons she knows and trusts, and she will walk you through the specific risks and benefits of your individual case in detail at your consultation — so you can make a fully informed decision.
For patients who truly need it, surgical orthodontics can be genuinely life-changing:
- A functional bite that makes eating and speaking comfortable — often for the first time
- Relief from chronic jaw joint pain (TMJ) caused by skeletal misalignment
- Improved facial balance and profile
- A smile that orthodontics alone could never have achieved
- Long-term improvement in breathing and sleep quality for patients with sleep apnoea related to jaw structure
Many of our surgical orthodontic patients describe the outcome as one of the most meaningful decisions they have ever made for their health and confidence.


