When the upper and lower teeth don't meet comfortably, the cause may be a misaligned jaw. Jaw misalignment can result in several consequences as the teeth come into contact in unintended ways. These can include jaw and muscle pain, difficulty eating, swallowing, and speaking, excessive or uneven tooth wear, chronic mouth breathing, or sleep apnea. Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery that straightens or realigns the jaw to correct skeletal deformities or dental irregularities. It may be performed on the upper jaw, lower jaw, chin, or any combination of these. Children who have certain conditions or orthodontic problems eventually requiring jaw surgery are eligible for the surgery only after they stop growing. But early detection and treatment of a child's orthodontic problems can often prevent the need for surgery altogether. Because orthognathic surgery most often requires orthodontic braces before and after surgery, the entire treatment may take years to complete. It also requires a collaborative approach between the orthodontist and the oral surgeon to successfully devise and execute a treatment plan. The surgery itself usually takes one to four hours and requires general anesthesia. In a hospital setting, surgery is usually performed inside the mouth, so no facial scars show on the chin, jaw, or around the mouth. However, sometimes small incisions may be required outside the mouth. During the surgery, the jaw bones are moved into correct position and bone plates, screws, and wires are used to secure the bones into their new position. Over time, the screws become integrated into the bone structure. Correcting alignment of the jaws and teeth with jaw surgery can result in improved function of teeth, health benefits from improved sleep, breathing, chewing and swallowing, improvement in speech impairments, balanced appearance of the lower face, improved confidence, and self-esteem. It is critical to work closely with your doctor to develop a plan for a corrective jaw surgery that straightens or realigns the jaw to correct skeletal deformities that best meet your unique needs.