Surgical Orthodontics in Winter Springs, FL

When braces alone can’t fix the problem, that’s when surgical orthodontics comes in. Dr. Weeks and Dr. Hasan work closely with oral surgeons to correct serious jaw alignment issues that regular orthodontic treatment can’t handle on its own. At Weeks Orthodontics, our Winter Springs office on Tuskawilla Road has helped patients across Seminole County get the comprehensive care they need when standard braces or Invisalign aren’t enough to address the underlying bone structure.

What Is Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, combines traditional orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery. The American Association of Orthodontists describes it as a treatment for cases where the upper and lower jaws don’t line up correctly due to skeletal discrepancies rather than just crooked teeth. This might mean the lower jaw grew too far forward, the upper jaw didn’t develop enough, or the whole bite is off in a way that braces can’t compensate for.

A lot of patients don’t even realize their bite problems are coming from the jaw and not the teeth, they’ve been dealing with headaches or trouble chewing for years before they find out surgery is an option. Dr. Travis A. Weeks sees this often at our practice — patients from Winter Springs, Longwood, and Altamonte Springs who have tried other treatments without getting the results they expected because the real issue was the jaw position all along.

Conditions That May Require Surgical Orthodontics

Not every bite problem needs surgery. Most cases we treat at Weeks Orthodontics in Winter Springs respond well to braces or clear aligners. But there are specific conditions where the jaw itself needs to be repositioned for treatment to work properly:

Severe underbite — when the lower jaw sits too far forward and the bottom teeth close in front of the upper teeth
Severe overbite — when the upper jaw extends significantly past the lower jaw, sometimes causing the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth
Open bite — when the front teeth don’t touch at all even with the back teeth closed together, making it hard to bite into food
Facial asymmetry — when one side of the jaw grew differently than the other, creating an uneven appearance and unbalanced bite
TMJ disorders — chronic jaw pain, clicking, or locking that stems from how the bones fit together

Dr. Shadiya Hasan uses our iTero digital scanner and 3D imaging technology at the Winter Springs office to evaluate whether a patient’s bite problem is dental, skeletal, or a combination of both. That diagnostic step is what separates a good treatment plan from one that wastes time and money.

How the Process Works

The whole process takes planning, usually about 12 to 18 months of braces before surgery and then more time after to fine tune everything. Here’s what patients from our Winter Springs and Oviedo locations can expect:

Phase 1: Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

Before any surgery happens, Dr. Weeks places braces to move the teeth into positions that will align correctly once the jaw is repositioned. This phase typically runs 12 to 18 months. It might seem like your bite is getting worse during this stage, and that’s normal — the teeth are being set up for where the jaw will be after surgery, not where it is right now.

Phase 2: The Surgery

The actual jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at a hospital, not at our orthodontic office. Dr. Weeks coordinates directly with the surgical team throughout the process. The surgery itself takes 2 to 4 hours depending on whether one or both jaws need correction. Procedures include maxillary osteotomy for the upper jaw, mandibular osteotomy for the lower jaw, or genioplasty for chin repositioning.

Phase 3: Post-Surgical Orthodontics

After surgery and an initial recovery period of about 4 to 6 weeks, patients return to our Winter Springs office for the final phase of braces. This stage usually lasts 6 to 12 months as Dr. Weeks and Dr. Hasan fine-tune the bite and make sure everything settles into the right position. Regular adjustment appointments happen every 4 to 6 weeks during this phase.

Recovery and What to Expect

Recovery from orthognathic surgery varies by patient and the extent of the procedure. Most patients take 2 to 4 weeks off from work or school. Swelling peaks around day 3 and gradually reduces over several weeks. The surgical team provides detailed post-operative instructions, and our orthodontic team at Weeks Orthodontics monitors your progress throughout recovery with regular check-ins.

Patients from Winter Springs, Oviedo, Sanford, and surrounding Seminole County communities appreciate that our office is close to home for those frequent follow-up visits. Having an orthodontist who knows your case inside and out — instead of being referred somewhere far away for post-surgical adjustments — makes the recovery process much smoother.

Why Choose Weeks Orthodontics for Surgical Cases

Surgical orthodontic cases require an orthodontist who has experience coordinating with oral surgeons and managing the extended treatment timeline. Dr. Travis A. Weeks and Dr. Shadiya Hasan bring that experience to every surgical case they manage at our Winter Springs and Oviedo offices. Our practice uses digital treatment planning with iTero scanning and 3D cone beam imaging to map out precise tooth movements and jaw positioning before any surgery is scheduled.

We also work with most dental insurance plans and offer flexible payment options for the orthodontic portion of treatment. Our treatment coordinators at the Winter Springs office can help you understand what your insurance covers and set up a payment plan that works for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

stethoscope What is the difference between surgical orthodontics and regular braces? expand_more

Regular braces and clear aligners like Invisalign move teeth within the jawbone. Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) repositions the jawbone itself when the skeletal structure is causing bite problems that tooth movement alone cannot fix. Dr. Weeks evaluates each patient at our Winter Springs office to determine which approach is right for their case.

stethoscope How do I know if I need jaw surgery? expand_more

Common signs include a severe overbite or underbite that has not responded to braces, chronic jaw pain or TMJ issues, difficulty chewing or biting, sleep apnea related to jaw position, and facial asymmetry. During your consultation at Weeks Orthodontics, Dr. Weeks and Dr. Hasan use iTero digital scanning and 3D imaging to evaluate whether your bite problem is dental, skeletal, or both.

stethoscope How long does the entire surgical orthodontics process take? expand_more

The full treatment typically takes 2 to 3 years. This includes 12 to 18 months of pre-surgical braces to position the teeth, the surgery itself, and 6 to 12 months of post-surgical orthodontic adjustments. Every case is different — some patients finish sooner depending on the complexity of the jaw correction needed.

stethoscope Is jaw surgery painful and what is recovery like? expand_more

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will not feel anything during the procedure. Afterward, expect swelling that peaks around day 3 and gradually improves over several weeks. Most patients take 2 to 4 weeks off from work or school. Our team at Weeks Orthodontics monitors your recovery with regular follow-up appointments at our Winter Springs or Oviedo office.

stethoscope Does insurance cover surgical orthodontics? expand_more

Many dental and medical insurance plans cover orthognathic surgery when it is deemed medically necessary. The orthodontic portion (braces before and after surgery) is often covered under dental insurance, while the surgical procedure may fall under medical insurance. Our treatment coordinators at Weeks Orthodontics can review your specific benefits and help you understand your out-of-pocket costs.

stethoscope Who performs the actual jaw surgery? expand_more

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgery at a hospital. Dr. Travis A. Weeks and Dr. Shadiya Hasan handle all orthodontic treatment before and after surgery and coordinate directly with the surgical team throughout the process. You stay with our practice in Winter Springs for the entire treatment timeline.

stethoscope What age is best for surgical orthodontics? expand_more

Jaw surgery is typically recommended after jaw growth is complete, which is around age 16 to 18 for females and 18 to 21 for males. However, adults of any age can be candidates if they are in good overall health. Dr. Weeks evaluates jaw development as part of every consultation at our Winter Springs and Oviedo offices.

stethoscope Will my face look different after orthognathic surgery? expand_more

Yes, corrective jaw surgery often improves facial balance and symmetry in addition to fixing the bite. The degree of visible change depends on the extent of jaw repositioning. Dr. Weeks uses 3D treatment planning to show patients what to expect before any surgery is scheduled, so there are no surprises.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’ve been told you might need jaw surgery or you feel like something isn’t right with your bite, come see us at our Winter Springs office and we’ll walk you through all of your options. Call Weeks Orthodontics at (407) 327-7737 or request an appointment online. Dr. Weeks and Dr. Hasan see patients from across Central Florida including Winter Springs, Oviedo, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Chuluota, and the University/UCF area.