Did You Know?
There are people in this world who are unable to speak or chew properly due to asymmetrical or misalignment of jaws. The upper or lower jaw shows excess growth which can considerably damage facial appearance. Jaws, characterized by asymmetry is the result of faulty bony structure. A protruding jaw or a receding chin is a perfect example of incorrect positioning of jaw. However, with the advent of jaw surgery, all these jaw and facial irregularities can be successfully corrected. A jaw surgery, when done properly can successfully realign the jaw and restore the natural symmetry of the face.
Jaw Surgery
A jaw surgery, be it corrective, underbite or orthodontic, is a procedure in which one or both the jaws are placed in their proper position. Abnormal alignment of jaws occur when the lower and upper jaws develop gradually at different rates. To correct this asymmetry, the jaws are repositioned. This procedure can remove functional problems like improper bite (under or overbites) and improve oral health.
The procedure generally involves moving the upper or lower jaw. In case the problem is with the lower jaw, then the jawbone is precisely cut and separated to move it in the backward or forward direction as required. Surgery that involves the upper jaw is performed by raising or lowering it. Sometimes the upper jaw is repositioned backward or forward to correct the misaligned jaw. Patients do experience some pain after surgery which can be managed by taking painkillers.
How Much Does a Jaw Surgery Cost?
This procedure is a bit complicated and is performed by experienced oral maxillofacial surgeons. In this surgical procedure, the teeth may also have to be repositioned for better facial profile. A person undergoing a jaw surgery will have to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $40,000 depending upon where the surgery is taking place and the dentist involved in conducting the operation. Following are the factors that determine the expenses of undergoing jaw surgery.
Doctor's Fee
Surgeons having an extensive experience in executing this jaw surgery charge exorbitant fees, thus increasing the overall cost of jaw surgery. In general, the fee of the surgeon varies from $2,000 to $20,000.
Location
The cost will also depend on where it is performed. In the United States, the cost of surgery is high ($20,000 to $40,000) as compared to any other country in the world. It is believed that operation charges in California state are quite high in comparison to other locations in United States.
However, in countries like Costa Rica, the corrective or the underbite jaw surgery cost is significantly less and quite affordable. If you are on a tight budget, you may go to Asian countries where the surgery cost is a meager $3,000-$4,000. In European countries, the average surgery cost ranges between $8,000-$12,000. In Australia, the total expenses of jaw surgery vary from $14,000 to $17,000.
Severity
This is yet another important aspect that can influence your hospital bills. If just one jaw has to be repositioned then it is obvious that the cost will be less in comparison to expenses incurred due to surgery involving realigning of both the jaws.
Severe cases involve moving the lower jaw backward and repositioning the upper jaw in both the forward and downward direction. Screws may also be implanted in some surgical procedures to fix the jaws. In such cases, the patient has to shell out quite a few bucks (which in some cases can go up to $80, 000) to make the jaws look symmetrical.
Anesthesia Fees
The jaw surgery will be carried out by giving the patient general anesthesia. The hospital authorities may have to specifically call an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia. Their service charge will vary from $1,000 to $2,000. In addition to anesthesia charges, you may have to fork out $200 - $250 as lab fees.
Purpose
For what reason are you undergoing surgery? Well, this question is likely to be asked by medical insurance companies. If your sole intention is cosmetic, which means to get an aesthetically pleasing look, then you have to bear all the expenses. However, in case the health insurance company is convinced that the purpose is strictly medical and that the surgery will help to resolve issues such as trouble eating, underbite or overbite problem then you would be entailed to medical insurance coverage.
Additional Costs
Surgery cost does not include the extra cost that you will have to incur before and after undergoing jaw surgery. For instance, the surgeon will advice you to wear braces that also help in aligning teeth. This is usually a pre and post-surgery requirement for better results. This additional cost will vary depending upon what type of your braces you are choosing.
Metal braces: $5,000 to $6,000
Ceramic braces: $4,000 to $8,000
Lingual Braces: $8,000 to $10,000
Invisalign: $4,000 to $7,400
An orthodontist who specializes in correcting the irregularities of the teeth, is also consulted before performing a corrective or underbite jaw surgery. The doctor ascertains whether the teeth should be moved (repositioned ) so that they align correctly, once the jaw is relocated. If there is a need, the orthodontist will ask the patient to wear braces to shift the teeth to the desired position. Wearing braces before and after surgery for about a year is necessary for rectifying the jaw asymmetry.
Health Insurance
If you are insured, you may have to pay as little as $100. However, in case your reimbursement policy covers only a part of the surgery cost, you may have to shell out as many as $5,000 or even more. Also, some heath insurance companies bear additional expenses, in turn reducing your out-of-pocket cost. However, in some cases, the medical coverage is often restricted to actual surgery cost, while the rest such as lab fees, doctor's fee, and additional costs are not covered. So, it all depends on the procedures and services that are included and excluded in your medical plan. Nevertheless, around 40% reduction in medical expenses is expected if you are protected by health insurance.
Your additional out-of pocket cost for jaw surgery will most probably increase if you opt for non-metal braces.
There are people in this world who are unable to speak or chew properly due to asymmetrical or misalignment of jaws. The upper or lower jaw shows excess growth which can considerably damage facial appearance. Jaws, characterized by asymmetry is the result of faulty bony structure. A protruding jaw or a receding chin is a perfect example of incorrect positioning of jaw. However, with the advent of jaw surgery, all these jaw and facial irregularities can be successfully corrected. A jaw surgery, when done properly can successfully realign the jaw and restore the natural symmetry of the face.
Jaw Surgery
A jaw surgery, be it corrective, underbite or orthodontic, is a procedure in which one or both the jaws are placed in their proper position. Abnormal alignment of jaws occur when the lower and upper jaws develop gradually at different rates. To correct this asymmetry, the jaws are repositioned. This procedure can remove functional problems like improper bite (under or overbites) and improve oral health.
The procedure generally involves moving the upper or lower jaw. In case the problem is with the lower jaw, then the jawbone is precisely cut and separated to move it in the backward or forward direction as required. Surgery that involves the upper jaw is performed by raising or lowering it. Sometimes the upper jaw is repositioned backward or forward to correct the misaligned jaw. Patients do experience some pain after surgery which can be managed by taking painkillers.
How Much Does a Jaw Surgery Cost?
This procedure is a bit complicated and is performed by experienced oral maxillofacial surgeons. In this surgical procedure, the teeth may also have to be repositioned for better facial profile. A person undergoing a jaw surgery will have to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $40,000 depending upon where the surgery is taking place and the dentist involved in conducting the operation. Following are the factors that determine the expenses of undergoing jaw surgery.
- Doctor's Fee
- Location
- Severity
- Purpose
Doctor's Fee
Surgeons having an extensive experience in executing this jaw surgery charge exorbitant fees, thus increasing the overall cost of jaw surgery. In general, the fee of the surgeon varies from $2,000 to $20,000.
Location
The cost will also depend on where it is performed. In the United States, the cost of surgery is high ($20,000 to $40,000) as compared to any other country in the world. It is believed that operation charges in California state are quite high in comparison to other locations in United States.
However, in countries like Costa Rica, the corrective or the underbite jaw surgery cost is significantly less and quite affordable. If you are on a tight budget, you may go to Asian countries where the surgery cost is a meager $3,000-$4,000. In European countries, the average surgery cost ranges between $8,000-$12,000. In Australia, the total expenses of jaw surgery vary from $14,000 to $17,000.
Severity
This is yet another important aspect that can influence your hospital bills. If just one jaw has to be repositioned then it is obvious that the cost will be less in comparison to expenses incurred due to surgery involving realigning of both the jaws.
Severe cases involve moving the lower jaw backward and repositioning the upper jaw in both the forward and downward direction. Screws may also be implanted in some surgical procedures to fix the jaws. In such cases, the patient has to shell out quite a few bucks (which in some cases can go up to $80, 000) to make the jaws look symmetrical.
Anesthesia Fees
The jaw surgery will be carried out by giving the patient general anesthesia. The hospital authorities may have to specifically call an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia. Their service charge will vary from $1,000 to $2,000. In addition to anesthesia charges, you may have to fork out $200 - $250 as lab fees.
Purpose
For what reason are you undergoing surgery? Well, this question is likely to be asked by medical insurance companies. If your sole intention is cosmetic, which means to get an aesthetically pleasing look, then you have to bear all the expenses. However, in case the health insurance company is convinced that the purpose is strictly medical and that the surgery will help to resolve issues such as trouble eating, underbite or overbite problem then you would be entailed to medical insurance coverage.
Additional Costs
Surgery cost does not include the extra cost that you will have to incur before and after undergoing jaw surgery. For instance, the surgeon will advice you to wear braces that also help in aligning teeth. This is usually a pre and post-surgery requirement for better results. This additional cost will vary depending upon what type of your braces you are choosing.
Metal braces: $5,000 to $6,000
Ceramic braces: $4,000 to $8,000
Lingual Braces: $8,000 to $10,000
Invisalign: $4,000 to $7,400
An orthodontist who specializes in correcting the irregularities of the teeth, is also consulted before performing a corrective or underbite jaw surgery. The doctor ascertains whether the teeth should be moved (repositioned ) so that they align correctly, once the jaw is relocated. If there is a need, the orthodontist will ask the patient to wear braces to shift the teeth to the desired position. Wearing braces before and after surgery for about a year is necessary for rectifying the jaw asymmetry.
Health Insurance
If you are insured, you may have to pay as little as $100. However, in case your reimbursement policy covers only a part of the surgery cost, you may have to shell out as many as $5,000 or even more. Also, some heath insurance companies bear additional expenses, in turn reducing your out-of-pocket cost. However, in some cases, the medical coverage is often restricted to actual surgery cost, while the rest such as lab fees, doctor's fee, and additional costs are not covered. So, it all depends on the procedures and services that are included and excluded in your medical plan. Nevertheless, around 40% reduction in medical expenses is expected if you are protected by health insurance.
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