Hello. This is Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea, specializing in facial contouring and orthognathic surgery. We are often asked the question, “Why do I need double jaw surgery? Can’t I just do contouring?” Both procedures deal with facial bones, and because we perform both surgeries, there are occasionally patients who insist on having a certain procedure. However, since the starting point of each surgery is completely different, we do not recommend surgery if the case is not appropriate.
What is unfortunate is that there are cases where patients were clearly candidates for double jaw surgery but underwent contouring surgery at another clinic, and later visit us again for revision surgery. For this reason, it is important to accurately understand what double jaw surgery is, so that you can reduce time and financial opportunity costs and choose the method that suits you.
Double Jaw Surgery Is a Procedure That Changes Position
Double jaw surgery is a procedure that moves the position itself by moving both the maxilla and the mandible, meaning the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This is not simply a change in appearance, but also requires consideration of chewing function, pronunciation, and the temporomandibular joint. Therefore, occlusion, which refers to how the teeth come together, must also be adjusted.
For example, this applies to cases where the lower jaw protrudes forward and is long, such as a protruding chin, or in contrast, when it is set back. In this context, left-right asymmetry falls into a different surgical category and is not considered within the scope of double jaw surgery. On the other hand, contouring surgery is a procedure that reduces protruding bone to refine the facial line. In other words, the position of the bone is normal, and the purpose is to smooth out the shape or curvature.
Can I Just Do Lower Jaw Surgery Instead of Double Jaw Surgery?
This is a question that can naturally arise when double jaw surgery feels burdensome. Wanting to reduce the surgical scope is a common desire. The conclusion is that there are cases where only lower jaw surgery can solve the problem, but these cases are more limited than expected. It is possible, but the goal of surgery is to achieve results that remain stable.
When performing jaw surgery, it does not simply mean correcting the bone alone. The upper jaw, lower jaw, teeth, and muscles all form a structure together. If only the lower jaw is repositioned, the overall balance becomes disrupted. When the upper jaw is left as it is and only the lower jaw is moved backward or forward, a force continuously acts to return to the original occlusion. This is called relapse. As time passes, a tendency to return to the original position may appear.
However, this does not mean that lower jaw surgery is always a bad choice. If the position of the upper jaw and occlusion are normal and the cause of the problem is limited only to the lower jaw, and if the amount of movement is not large, stable results can be achieved without necessarily performing double jaw surgery.
Does It Move Back After Double Jaw Surgery?
Our body has a force that tries to maintain homeostasis. The jaw is a complex system where bones, muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues work together. When the position of the bone is changed through surgery, the surrounding soft tissue forms tension that acts in the direction of returning to the original position. This is the basic principle of relapse. In the lower jaw, the influence of the masticatory muscle and the medial pterygoid muscle is significant. During surgery, controlling the tension of these muscles properly is an important factor for stability. If the medial pterygoid muscle is not properly managed, a forward pushing force may continue to act after surgery.
In addition, to secure skeletal stability, it is important to maximize the bone contact surface when fixing. If the bone contact surface after osteotomy is not sufficiently secured, the load is not distributed and becomes concentrated in a specific area, which can lead to micro-movement or settling. Therefore, when fixing with plates, it is important to design them so that they can be supported stably from multiple directions. This allows the bone contact surface to settle properly and prevents the position from changing.
Is It Over Once the Surgery Is Done? Post-Operative Care Is What Really Matters
Treatment does not end when the surgery is completed. From this point on, you must manage mouth opening exercises, wearing a wafer, and maintaining oral hygiene properly to achieve good results. In some cases, a wafer is worn for about one month after surgery, and it plays a role in guiding the occlusion to a new position. If this device is not used properly, even if the bone heals well, the position may become slightly misaligned.
Mouth exercises are also very important. Repetitive movements of opening and closing the jaw, as well as pushing the lower jaw forward and upward, help the muscles adapt to the new position. If orthodontic treatment is required, consistent cooperation with that treatment is necessary for the double jaw surgery to be fully completed.
Other precautions include avoiding blowing your nose strongly for one month after surgery. This is because air can enter the nasal cavity and lead to inflammation. When washing your hair, it is recommended to tilt your head backward. Drinking alcohol, smoking, using a sauna, and engaging in intense exercise should also be restricted for a certain period.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Mandatory with Double Jaw Surgery?
Many people think that orthodontic treatment must always be performed together with double jaw surgery. However, this does not apply to all cases. If the dental occlusion is normal, improvement can be achieved by adjusting only the position of the jaw. However, many patients who are considering double jaw surgery for concerns such as protruding jaw or protruding mouth often have misaligned teeth or occlusion. Therefore, it is common to proceed with orthodontic treatment before and after double jaw surgery. This is determined based on the specialist’s judgment.
I Am Afraid of the “Double Jaw Look”
There are many cases where the face becomes unnatural after double jaw surgery. When looking at actual hospital reviews, there is often a characteristic appearance referred to as the “double jaw look,” and it is sometimes described as a beautiful result after surgery, which can be unfortunate.
Double jaw surgery is closer to the process of redesigning the proportions of the entire face. At Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea, we comprehensively analyze the length of the midface and lower face, the angle of the jaw, the occlusion state, and the left-right balance of the face. Based on this, the surgical direction must be determined through 3D analysis and occlusion simulation.
However, when excessive correction is involved, a characteristic facial shape, which is considered a side effect of double jaw surgery, can occur. Typical cases include pushing the jaw too far backward, causing the face to become flat, emphasizing a V-line excessively to create an artificial impression, imbalance between the cheekbones and the jaw, and not considering the length of the midface.
Rather than pursuing an unconditionally smaller face, it is important to maintain proportions and three-dimensional structure. It is important to restore volume to a maxilla that was originally flat and to find an appropriate position for the mandible that had been emphasized.
Important Considerations from an Actual Girin Case
The patient was concerned about a long midface and lower face and wanted improvement toward a softer image rather than a sharp one. The patient initially wanted contouring surgery, but since the improvement goal and bone structure corresponded to a double jaw case, surgery was performed after sufficient explanation and discussion.
The focus was not simply on reducing the jaw but on adjusting the proportions of the entire face. The lower jaw was based on SSRO, and while maintaining the position of the mandibular angle, only the length was reduced. Although the facial width was already narrow, the cheekbones were relatively large, so the 45-degree line was finely adjusted to maintain a natural three-dimensional appearance.
Changes After Surgery
Immediately after surgery is the period when swelling is the greatest. In this case, the patient also underwent chin muscle tightening and fat removal surgery, so the period during which the skin felt hard lasted longer.
From around one month, changes in the facial line began to be felt, and after about two months, the contour became stable. After six months, the naturalness increased. The final aesthetic result is usually completed after about one year.
Double Jaw Surgery Is About Precision, Not Fear
Double jaw surgery is certainly a high-difficulty procedure, but safety has improved with the advancement of precise analysis and systems. In particular, Girin Plastic Surgery is equipped with facilities and equipment at the level of a university hospital, which differentiates it from general contouring surgery clinics.
Relapse, which is often referred to as a side effect of double jaw surgery, is not an unavoidable issue but an area that can be controlled. Side effects such as inflammation and nerve numbness are also mostly within a predictable and manageable range. What is important is how accurately the analysis and planning are performed.
Even with the same concern, the surgical method and result can be completely different depending on the cause. Rather than vague anxiety, it is important to confirm the direction that suits you through objective analysis.
If there are those who are suffering from continuous concerns about facial shape such as protruding jaw or protruding mouth, please contact Girin Plastic Surgery. We will explain which case is appropriate.
Contact us
Hello. This is Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea, specializing in facial contouring and orthognathic surgery. We are often asked the question, “Why do I need double jaw surgery? Can’t I just do contouring?” Both procedures deal with facial bones, and because we perform both surgeries, there are occasionally patients who insist on having a certain procedure. However, since the starting point of each surgery is completely different, we do not recommend surgery if the case is not appropriate.
What is unfortunate is that there are cases where patients were clearly candidates for double jaw surgery but underwent contouring surgery at another clinic, and later visit us again for revision surgery. For this reason, it is important to accurately understand what double jaw surgery is, so that you can reduce time and financial opportunity costs and choose the method that suits you.
Double Jaw Surgery Is a Procedure That Changes Position
Double jaw surgery is a procedure that moves the position itself by moving both the maxilla and the mandible, meaning the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This is not simply a change in appearance, but also requires consideration of chewing function, pronunciation, and the temporomandibular joint. Therefore, occlusion, which refers to how the teeth come together, must also be adjusted.
For example, this applies to cases where the lower jaw protrudes forward and is long, such as a protruding chin, or in contrast, when it is set back. In this context, left-right asymmetry falls into a different surgical category and is not considered within the scope of double jaw surgery. On the other hand, contouring surgery is a procedure that reduces protruding bone to refine the facial line. In other words, the position of the bone is normal, and the purpose is to smooth out the shape or curvature.
Can I Just Do Lower Jaw Surgery Instead of Double Jaw Surgery?
This is a question that can naturally arise when double jaw surgery feels burdensome. Wanting to reduce the surgical scope is a common desire. The conclusion is that there are cases where only lower jaw surgery can solve the problem, but these cases are more limited than expected. It is possible, but the goal of surgery is to achieve results that remain stable.
When performing jaw surgery, it does not simply mean correcting the bone alone. The upper jaw, lower jaw, teeth, and muscles all form a structure together. If only the lower jaw is repositioned, the overall balance becomes disrupted. When the upper jaw is left as it is and only the lower jaw is moved backward or forward, a force continuously acts to return to the original occlusion. This is called relapse. As time passes, a tendency to return to the original position may appear.
However, this does not mean that lower jaw surgery is always a bad choice. If the position of the upper jaw and occlusion are normal and the cause of the problem is limited only to the lower jaw, and if the amount of movement is not large, stable results can be achieved without necessarily performing double jaw surgery.
Does It Move Back After Double Jaw Surgery?
Our body has a force that tries to maintain homeostasis. The jaw is a complex system where bones, muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues work together. When the position of the bone is changed through surgery, the surrounding soft tissue forms tension that acts in the direction of returning to the original position. This is the basic principle of relapse. In the lower jaw, the influence of the masticatory muscle and the medial pterygoid muscle is significant. During surgery, controlling the tension of these muscles properly is an important factor for stability. If the medial pterygoid muscle is not properly managed, a forward pushing force may continue to act after surgery.
In addition, to secure skeletal stability, it is important to maximize the bone contact surface when fixing. If the bone contact surface after osteotomy is not sufficiently secured, the load is not distributed and becomes concentrated in a specific area, which can lead to micro-movement or settling. Therefore, when fixing with plates, it is important to design them so that they can be supported stably from multiple directions. This allows the bone contact surface to settle properly and prevents the position from changing.
Is It Over Once the Surgery Is Done? Post-Operative Care Is What Really Matters
Treatment does not end when the surgery is completed. From this point on, you must manage mouth opening exercises, wearing a wafer, and maintaining oral hygiene properly to achieve good results. In some cases, a wafer is worn for about one month after surgery, and it plays a role in guiding the occlusion to a new position. If this device is not used properly, even if the bone heals well, the position may become slightly misaligned.
Mouth exercises are also very important. Repetitive movements of opening and closing the jaw, as well as pushing the lower jaw forward and upward, help the muscles adapt to the new position. If orthodontic treatment is required, consistent cooperation with that treatment is necessary for the double jaw surgery to be fully completed.
Other precautions include avoiding blowing your nose strongly for one month after surgery. This is because air can enter the nasal cavity and lead to inflammation. When washing your hair, it is recommended to tilt your head backward. Drinking alcohol, smoking, using a sauna, and engaging in intense exercise should also be restricted for a certain period.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Mandatory with Double Jaw Surgery?
Many people think that orthodontic treatment must always be performed together with double jaw surgery. However, this does not apply to all cases. If the dental occlusion is normal, improvement can be achieved by adjusting only the position of the jaw. However, many patients who are considering double jaw surgery for concerns such as protruding jaw or protruding mouth often have misaligned teeth or occlusion. Therefore, it is common to proceed with orthodontic treatment before and after double jaw surgery. This is determined based on the specialist’s judgment.
I Am Afraid of the “Double Jaw Look”
There are many cases where the face becomes unnatural after double jaw surgery. When looking at actual hospital reviews, there is often a characteristic appearance referred to as the “double jaw look,” and it is sometimes described as a beautiful result after surgery, which can be unfortunate.
Double jaw surgery is closer to the process of redesigning the proportions of the entire face. At Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea, we comprehensively analyze the length of the midface and lower face, the angle of the jaw, the occlusion state, and the left-right balance of the face. Based on this, the surgical direction must be determined through 3D analysis and occlusion simulation.
However, when excessive correction is involved, a characteristic facial shape, which is considered a side effect of double jaw surgery, can occur. Typical cases include pushing the jaw too far backward, causing the face to become flat, emphasizing a V-line excessively to create an artificial impression, imbalance between the cheekbones and the jaw, and not considering the length of the midface.
Rather than pursuing an unconditionally smaller face, it is important to maintain proportions and three-dimensional structure. It is important to restore volume to a maxilla that was originally flat and to find an appropriate position for the mandible that had been emphasized.
Important Considerations from an Actual Girin Case
The patient was concerned about a long midface and lower face and wanted improvement toward a softer image rather than a sharp one. The patient initially wanted contouring surgery, but since the improvement goal and bone structure corresponded to a double jaw case, surgery was performed after sufficient explanation and discussion.
The focus was not simply on reducing the jaw but on adjusting the proportions of the entire face. The lower jaw was based on SSRO, and while maintaining the position of the mandibular angle, only the length was reduced. Although the facial width was already narrow, the cheekbones were relatively large, so the 45-degree line was finely adjusted to maintain a natural three-dimensional appearance.
Changes After Surgery
Immediately after surgery is the period when swelling is the greatest. In this case, the patient also underwent chin muscle tightening and fat removal surgery, so the period during which the skin felt hard lasted longer.
From around one month, changes in the facial line began to be felt, and after about two months, the contour became stable. After six months, the naturalness increased. The final aesthetic result is usually completed after about one year.
Double Jaw Surgery Is About Precision, Not Fear
Double jaw surgery is certainly a high-difficulty procedure, but safety has improved with the advancement of precise analysis and systems. In particular, Girin Plastic Surgery is equipped with facilities and equipment at the level of a university hospital, which differentiates it from general contouring surgery clinics.
Relapse, which is often referred to as a side effect of double jaw surgery, is not an unavoidable issue but an area that can be controlled. Side effects such as inflammation and nerve numbness are also mostly within a predictable and manageable range. What is important is how accurately the analysis and planning are performed.
Even with the same concern, the surgical method and result can be completely different depending on the cause. Rather than vague anxiety, it is important to confirm the direction that suits you through objective analysis.
If there are those who are suffering from continuous concerns about facial shape such as protruding jaw or protruding mouth, please contact Girin Plastic Surgery. We will explain which case is appropriate.
Contact us