What are the risks of orthognathic surgery?

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Pioneers and experts in minimally invasive surgery techniques
Pioneers and experts in the orthofacial approach, which considers the face as a whole, to maximize aesthetic results
Chosen as the best private oral and maxillofacial surgery service in Spain for four consecutive years.
Located in Teknon Medical Center, a leading hospital in the health sector in Spain.

16/09/2025

Orthognathic surgery is a surgical procedure that corrects abnormalities in the position of the maxilla and mandible, improving chewing and breathing function as well as facial aesthetics.
It is a completely safe procedure when performed in specialized centers with an experienced surgical team, but like any major surgery, it carries some risks and potential complications that are important to be aware of.

General risks of any surgery - the most common

As with any procedure requiring general anesthesia and hospitalization, there are common risks:

Reactions to anesthesia: rare, but possible.
Bleeding or infection: minimized with advanced techniques and postoperative care.
Inflammation and pain: common in the first few days, controlled with medication.

Specific risks of orthognathic surgery

Temporary alterations in sensation: After surgery, it is common to experience tingling or numbness in the lips, chin, or gums. In most cases, this is a temporary effect that disappears within weeks or months.

Tooth Movement and Orthodontic Adjustments Surgery is often combined with orthodontics. The orthodontist may need to make adjustments after the procedure to perfect the bite.

Unexpected Aesthetic Changes Although surgery aims to improve facial harmony, the result can surprise the patient in the first few weeks due to inflammation. Proper digital planning, like the one we do at the Maxillofacial Institute, helps anticipate changes.

Relapse or Unwanted Bone Movement: In some cases, the bone may tend to partially return to its original position. With modern rigid fixation techniques and adequate postoperative follow-up, this risk is very low.

Extremely Rare Risks

Permanent nerve injury (very rare).
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
Need for reoperation in exceptional cases.

How risks are minimized at the Maxillofacial Institute

At our center:

We have more than 30 years of experience in orthognathic surgery.
We use 3D digital planning and customized surgical guides.
We follow minimally invasive surgery protocols, which include controlled hypotension and monitoring of anesthetic depth, as well as smaller incisions.
We follow hospital safety protocols at the Teknon Medical Center.
We offer close patient follow-up before, during, and after surgery, both functionally and emotionally, with our Psychological Support Unit.

As we can see, orthognathic surgery is currently a very safe and highly effective procedure for correcting functional and aesthetic problems of the maxillomandibular complex. Although it carries certain risks, these are considerably reduced when the patient is treated in a specialized center with a highly experienced and experienced surgical team.

Related content:

Relapse in orthognathic surgery

Flying after orthognathic surgery: recommendations and risks

How is orthognathic surgery planned?

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Instituto Maxilofacial

El Instituto Maxilofacial es uno de los centros más innovadores a nivel internacional en cirugía oral y maxilofacial. Sus especialistas, todos ellos profesores universitarios, han desarrollado numerosas técnicas y protocolos quirúrgicos, y ponen al servicio del paciente los tratamientos más vanguardistas con la tecnología más moderna.