How much jaw surgery costs

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) usually costs about $20,000 to $40,000 without insurance, and double jaw surgery $40,000 or more, according to estimates cited by Healthline. Health insurance often helps when the surgery treats a medical problem rather than appearance. Treatment, including braces before and after, usually takes two to three years.

What jaw surgery is

Jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, reshapes the jawbones so the upper and lower jaws line up properly. It can treat malocclusion (a bad bite, including overbite, overjet and underbite), TMJ disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (Cleveland Clinic). It's used when braces alone aren't enough: braces can move teeth, but they can't move the jaw or change its shape (Cleveland Clinic).

Cleveland Clinic describes the main procedures (Cleveland Clinic):

• Upper jaw surgery (maxillary osteotomy), when the upper jaw sticks out too much or too little.
• Lower jaw surgery (mandibular osteotomy), when the lower jaw sticks out too far or too little.
• Double jaw surgery (bimaxillary osteotomy), for problems with both jaws.
• Chin surgery (genioplasty), sometimes done as part of the same operation.

How much jaw surgery costs

Published figures are sparse, and the ones that exist are estimates rather than surveys. The most commonly cited come via Healthline:

The surgical fee is only part of the bill. Healthline lists what the surgery involves: an exam, X-rays, general anesthesia, cutting and reshaping bone, and repositioning the jaw, with screws, plates, wires and rubber bands holding it in place (Healthline). Add one to three days in hospital (Cleveland Clinic) and the orthodontic treatment before and after, and the total depends heavily on how complex the case is, the hospital stay and who does the surgery (Healthline).

Does insurance cover jaw surgery?

It can, when the surgery is medically necessary. Healthline says health insurance generally covers jaw surgery needed to fix health problems such as obstructive sleep apnea, with partial or full coverage, but may deny surgery that is purely cosmetic (Healthline). Someone with coverage might pay as little as a $100 copay, or $5,000 or more if their plan caps jaw surgery (Healthline).

The orthodontic part is separate. Braces before and after surgery are orthodontic treatment, so ask your dental plan about its orthodontic benefit, which pays up to a lifetime maximum; in OrthoFi data for 2021, that benefit averaged $1,772 (Align, citing OrthoFi). Ask both your health insurer and your dental plan what they will pay, in writing, before treatment starts. See braces with insurance.

The process, start to finish

Jaw surgery is a long, coordinated process (Cleveland Clinic):

1. Braces first. Most people wear braces before surgery, during recovery and afterward until healing and alignment are complete (Cleveland Clinic). For double jaw surgery, braces can be needed for up to two years beforehand (Cleveland Clinic).
2. Waiting for growth to stop. For problems like malocclusion, the surgeon may recommend waiting until the jaw has stopped growing (Cleveland Clinic).
3. Surgery. Under general anesthesia, through cuts inside the mouth or one or two small cuts on the outer jaw; the operation takes up to 4 to 6 hours (Cleveland Clinic).
4. Hospital stay. Usually 1 to 3 days (Cleveland Clinic).
5. Braces again, then a retainer. Follow-up orthodontics moves the teeth into their final places, and a retainer keeps them there (Cleveland Clinic).

Recovery

Most people return to their daily routine after 3 to 4 weeks, but initial healing takes about 6 weeks and the jaw keeps healing for months; it can be a year before it's completely healed (Cleveland Clinic). Expect a liquid diet for the first weeks (Cleveland Clinic). After double jaw surgery, Cleveland Clinic says a liquid diet for the first two weeks is typical, and full recovery can take three to six months (Cleveland Clinic).

Plan for the time off work or school as part of the cost. Ask your employer about medical leave before the surgery date.

Risks and results

Like any major surgery, jaw surgery has risks, and double jaw surgery can cause or worsen TMJ disorders (Cleveland Clinic). Your surgeon should explain the specific risks for your case. On results, Cleveland Clinic cites research finding that between 83% and 100% of people who had orthognathic surgery were satisfied, with improved quality of life (Cleveland Clinic).

What to budget for beyond the surgeon's fee

Jaw surgery for sleep apnea

Double jaw surgery is also used to treat obstructive sleep apnea: moving the upper and lower jaws forward opens the airway (Cleveland Clinic). That matters for cost, because surgery to fix a health problem like sleep apnea is the kind health insurers generally cover, partly or fully (Healthline). Ask your doctor whether a sleep study or other records are needed to support an insurance request.

Paying for jaw surgery

• Get pre-authorization from your health insurer, with letters from the surgeon and orthodontist explaining the medical need.
• Ask the hospital and the surgeon for itemized estimates, including anesthesia.
• Use HSA or FSA money for eligible costs; the 2025 health FSA limit is $3,300 (IRS Publication 969).
• Be careful with medical credit cards: the typical APR is 26.99%, and deferred-interest promotions charge interest on the full amount if you miss the payoff date (CFPB).

Questions to ask before jaw surgery

• Can braces alone fix my bite, or is surgery the only option?
• Which procedure do I need: upper, lower or double jaw surgery?
• What will the surgeon, anesthesia and hospital each charge, and what does my health plan cover?
• How long will I wear braces before and after, and what will the orthodontist charge?
• What are the specific risks for my case, and what does recovery look like week by week?

For the orthodontic side, see braces payment plans and the braces cost calculator.