Jaw Surgery in Panama Planning an Orthognathic Case
Orthognathic jaw surgery in Panama: who needs it, how the braces and surgery phases fit together, the real timeline and what it means for a visitor.
Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both. It is what corrects a bite that braces alone cannot fix, because the problem is where the bones sit, not where the teeth sit.
Who it is for
- An open bite where the front teeth never touch.
- A lower jaw that sits too far forward or too far back.
- Facial asymmetry.
- A gummy smile from vertical excess of the upper jaw.
- Sleep apnea with a retruded jaw, where advancing the jaws opens the airway.
The phases, and the real timeline
- Study and planning, four to eight weeks: 3D scan, photographs, models and a digital simulation of each bone movement.
- Pre surgical orthodontics, six to eighteen months. The bite often looks worse during this phase; that is by design.
- Surgery, one day plus one or two nights in hospital, under general anesthesia, with intraoral approaches.
- Recovery, two to three weeks to normal activity.
- Final orthodontics, four to eight months.
Total: one to two years. Anyone who tells you otherwise is describing the surgery day, not the treatment.
What this means if you live abroad
The orthodontic phases do not require being in Panama, provided your orthodontist and the surgeon coordinate from the first planning session and share records. What must happen here is the planning, the surgery and the immediate follow up. Patients usually plan one trip of two to three weeks around the operation.
It is functional, not cosmetic
Insurance conversations go better when this is understood: the indication is chewing, bite, joint load and airway. The change in profile is a consequence of the repositioning. Full Spanish page: cirugia ortognatica.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have jaw surgery abroad?
Yes, but the orthodontic phases can be shared with your orthodontist at home if the two coordinate from the start. That coordination is the whole thing.
Are there scars?
No facial scars. The approach is inside the mouth.
How long is recovery?
Two to three weeks before returning to desk work; swelling keeps improving for months.
Centro Quirurgico Facial
Oral and maxillofacial surgery with Dr. Anabela Herrera, board certified specialist with more than 15 years of practice. Consultorios Hospital Punta Pacifica, Suite 419, Panama City. Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday by appointment. Phone +507 399-3117 · WhatsApp +507 6273-9001.