Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic) in Ireland — Costs, Waiting Times & EU Options
Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw or both to correct problems with bite, chewing, speech and breathing. It's planned with an orthodontist and usually involves braces before and after.
What is a Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic)?
Some people have upper and lower jaws that don’t line up properly, causing problems biting, chewing, speaking or breathing. Braces alone can’t fix the underlying jaw position.
In orthognathic surgery, the jaw bones are cut and moved into a better position, then fixed with small plates and screws. Incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are usually no visible scars.
Who needs this surgery?
Jaw surgery may be recommended for:
- Significant overbite, underbite or open bite
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Jaw asymmetry
- Some cases of sleep apnoea
- Jaw problems related to cleft lip and palate
How the procedure works
Orthodontic preparation
Braces align the teeth, usually for 12 to 18 months before surgery.
Planning
Scans and 3D planning determine how the jaws will move.
General anaesthetic
You'll be asleep for the operation.
Moving the jaws
The jaws are cut, repositioned and fixed with plates and screws from inside the mouth.
Recovery and braces
You'll stay in hospital for a few nights, then continue braces for several months.
Where can you have a Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic)?
Compare the public system, private hospitals in Ireland, and HSE-reimbursed treatment in the EU.
Public (HSE)
Free at the point of care with a GP or consultant referral. Waiting times vary widely by hospital, region and clinical urgency; your hospital or the NTPF (ntpf.ie) can tell you where you are on the list.
Private in Ireland
Ask the hospital for a fixed-price quote covering the hospital fee, consultant and anaesthetist fees. Check your health insurance plan for cover, excesses and any approved-hospital list before booking.
EU Cross-Border
Corrective jaw surgery is planned over a long period with an orthodontist, so treatment abroad is rarely practical. If you are considering it, it can be eligible under the Cross-Border Directive with prior authorisation, but your orthodontic care must be coordinated with the surgical team.
Check if you're eligibleHave your surgery in weeks, not years
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, you can be treated in an accredited EU/EEA hospital and claim the cost back from the HSE — with a GP or consultant referral.
Check whether you qualify and what you'd get back.
*Reimbursement is capped at the cost of the same treatment in the Irish public health system. Travel, accommodation and any balance above the HSE rate are not covered. Pre-authorisation applies to treatment involving an overnight hospital stay.
Recovering from a Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic)
Swelling peaks and you'll be on a liquid or soft diet. Numbness of the lips is common.
Swelling gradually reduces. Most people return to work or study within two to four weeks.
The bones heal and you can return to a normal diet.
Orthodontic treatment continues to finish the bite.
Risks and considerations
Possible risks include:
- Numbness of the lip or chin, which may be long-lasting
- Infection or bleeding
- Relapse, where the jaw moves back slightly
- Problems with plates and screws, needing removal
- Jaw joint discomfort
Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic) — your questions answered
Is jaw surgery cosmetic?
No. It's done to correct functional problems, though it often improves facial balance too.
Will my jaws be wired shut?
Usually not. Modern plates and screws mean wiring is rarely needed.
How long will I need braces?
Usually around 12 to 18 months before surgery and several months afterwards.
Can I have jaw surgery abroad?
It's rarely practical because it must be coordinated with long-term orthodontic care.
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