Double Jaw Surgery 10 Years Later: A Surgeon's Data-Driven Look at Long-Term Stability and Changes

Hello, I am Dr. Park Jong-cheol, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with over 20 years of dedicated experience in orthognathic surgery.

A question that weighs heavily on the minds of prospective and former patients alike is:

"Will I still look and feel okay 10, or even 20 years after my double jaw surgery?"

While the internet is filled with impressive reviews from the first year or two after surgery, finding a genuine "double jaw surgery 10-year review" that details the changes over a long decade is incredibly rare.

For a surgeon, accumulating patient data that spans over 10 years is an invaluable asset. I leverage this long-term data to predict potential changes that can occur post-orthognathic surgery. This allows me to refine and elevate my surgical planning, enhancing the stability and completeness of the results for my current patients.

Today, I want to share an honest, in-depth look at the real changes to the facial skeleton and soft tissues that occur 10 years after double jaw surgery, based on data from actual cases I have personally performed and followed for over a decade.

How Does the Skeleton Change 10 Years After Double Jaw Surgery?

The primary goal of orthognathic surgery is to move the jawbones to their most functional and aesthetic position and ensure that this result remains stable for a lifetime. So, what changes does a decade bring to the bone structure?

The short answer is: "The surgical result remains highly stable, but the body undergoes a lifelong process of micro-adaptation in response to physiological function."

Proven Skeletal Stability, Even After 14 Years

A patient who underwent surgery for a prognathic jaw and facial asymmetry at age 21 visited my clinic for a 14-year follow-up. This case is particularly special because we were able to use the exact same CT equipment for all scans—before surgery, after surgery, and at the 14-year mark. This minimized data discrepancies and allowed for a highly reliable and accurate comparative analysis.

CT scan comparison showing the facial skeleton before and 14 years after orthognathic surgery, demonstrating the long-term stability of the corrected asymmetry and jaw position

As you can see in the CT scan, the corrected symmetry and jaw position remained exceptionally stable even after 14 years post-op. This is the result of meticulous surgical planning that accounts for each patient's unique occlusion and condylar position (CR-CO discrepancy) to prevent long-term relapse.

What Time Reveals: The Nuances of Bone 'Adaptation'

However, long-term observation reveals more than just stability; it also uncovers subtle but important adaptations.

• Bone Resorption Around the Nose: The 14-year follow-up revealed that the bone at the Anterior Nasal Spine (ANS), located just below the nose, had resorbed by approximately 3.74mm compared to its position in the initial post-operative period. This is crucial data, as it implies that surgeons must account for this potential long-term resorption when planning the movement of the maxilla to achieve a satisfactory and lasting aesthetic outcome for features like philtrum length.

  

  Diagram illustrating the resorption of the Anterior Nasal Spine (ANS) area after double jaw surgery

• Condylar Remodeling of the TMJ: In another case involving a 13-year follow-up with an asymmetry patient, we observed that the mandibular condyle (the "ball" of the jaw joint) had gradually remodeled its shape and position to adapt to the new bite and functional environment. Our bones are not static structures; they are living tissues that change throughout our lives in response to function.

  

   A 10-year follow-up CT scan comparing the changes and remodeling of the jaw joint after double jaw surgery

  

  양악수술 10년 후 CT 비교

  

  양악수술을 이용한 비대칭개선

I firmly believe that the ability to predict these long-term changes and incorporate them into the initial surgical plan is what defines a surgeon's skill and leads to results that stand the test of time.

Is It Possible and Safe to Remove Metal Plates After 10 Years?

A frequent question in any "double jaw surgery 10-year review" is about the removal of the fixation plates. I can answer this clearly with the case of a patient who had surgery at age 50 and returned for plate removal 11 years later.

The definitive answer is: Yes, it is safe to remove plates and screws even after more than a decade.

Photo of surgical plates and screws removed from a patient 11 years after their double jaw surgery

양악수술 전후 10년 CT

However, as time passes, a thin layer of bone grows over the plates, making their removal a more technically demanding procedure. Particular caution is required in the cheekbone (zygoma) area, where the facial nerve passes. To prevent any risk of nerve damage, it is paramount that this procedure is performed by a surgeon with extensive anatomical knowledge and clinical experience.

CT scan detailing the position of fixation plates on the zygoma, highlighting the proximity to the facial nerve before a 10-year removal procedure

A Decade of Change: Soft Tissue, Skin Sagging, and Facial Appearance

Many patients worry about skin sagging after orthognathic surgery. So, what happened to the patient who had surgery at 50 and was now 61 at her 11-year follow-up?

Remarkably, with consistent personal care, the patient maintained excellent skin elasticity with no signs of the dreaded sagging. This case is a positive example of how a corrected, stable bone structure can provide strong support for the overlying soft tissue, allowing individuals to maintain a youthful appearance with proper care.

Side-by-side comparison of a patient's profile, showing well-maintained skin elasticity and no significant sagging 11 years post-double jaw surgery

Conclusion: A Surgery That Accounts for the Next 10 Years

The true success of double jaw surgery is not measured by the dramatic change one year after, but by the healthy, stable, and satisfactory result that endures for 10, 20, and even more years.

There is one reason why I cherish and continuously analyze this rare long-term data: to predict the future from the results of the past. It allows me to create the most stable surgical plan possible, ensuring my patients can still smile with confidence a decade after their surgery. I believe this is the greatest form of trust and responsibility I can offer as a surgeon.

I sincerely hope you find a surgeon who not only considers your present beauty but also contemplates and plans for the person you will be 10 and 20 years from now.

양악수술 10년 후, 무엇이 변하고 무엇이 유지될까?

Double Jaw Surgery 10 Years Later