Jaw surgery
Orthognathic surgery corrects the position of the upper and lower jaw when they do not fit together correctly. It solves a functional problem — bite, breathing, dental wear — and the harmony of the face at the same time, because it repositions the bones that structure it.
What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both when there is a discrepancy between them: bites that do not close, protruding or recessed jaws, facial asymmetries. It is the procedure where function and aesthetics are inseparable — by correcting how the bones fit together, it also changes the balance of the lower third of the face, the profile and, in many cases, the airway and sleep quality.
Every case is planned digitally in 3D before entering the operating room: the bone movements are defined to the millimeter on a model of the patient’s own anatomy, and the surgery executes that plan with custom guides. This level of planning is today’s standard of the specialty and reduces the uncertainty of the result.
Who is this surgery for?
For people with bite problems that orthodontics alone cannot correct, difficulty chewing or pronouncing, accelerated dental wear, jaw-joint pain, or a bone-based imbalance of the profile. Treatment is usually coordinated with the patient’s orthodontist in a joint plan defined from the first evaluation.
A guided process
Orthognathic surgery is a long-term decision — the full process, orthodontics included, can take months. For international patients this deserves honest planning: parts of the process require in-person visits, so the timeline and coordination with your local orthodontist are discussed openly from the start. The first consultation is above all informative: understanding your case, seeing the possible plan and answering every question before you decide. Post-operative follow-up is close and is part of the treatment, not an extra.
How much does jaw surgery cost in Costa Rica?
Orthognathic surgery starts at $8,000. From there, the price is planned case by case just like the surgery itself: one jaw or both, the 3D planning and custom surgical guides, the anesthesia and hospital time, and the coordination with your orthodontist all shape the number.
Once your case is evaluated you receive a complete, itemized quote over WhatsApp — before you commit to travel or treatment.
Is this your case?
The only way to know for sure is an evaluation. Write to us — in English — and the team will coordinate it with Dr. Hernández; if you live abroad, it starts with a remote pre-assessment over WhatsApp.