Asian jaw moving surgery has become an increasingly popular cosmetic option in East Asia. The term "jaw moving" is a lay term referring not to one specific operation but rather a family of complex and difficult and serious operations more formally known as "orthognathic surgery" undertaken by trained maxillofacial specialists skilled in working on the bones of the lower face.

Jaw moving procedures entail creating multiple surgical fractures (osteotomies) before realigning the lower and midfacial bones and teeth and straightening the jaw using wires, plates, and screws but with minimal or sometimes no bone removal. The operations have very little in common with jawline shaving used to reduce a prominent side angle of the mandible, or lower jaw bone.

The primary goals of jaw moving are to alter either the over-projection, under-projection, or asymmetry of the most forward part of the lower jawbone, or mandible, more commonly referred to as the chin. Also affected are the cheeks, mouth, teeth, and lips.

Changes after surgery can vary from subtle to dramatic depending on the scope of the operation. If jaw misalignment is significant, correction may help symptoms such as difficulty chewing, jaw muscle or joint pain, or speech problems. Particularly in South Korea, patient interest in jaw moving for strictly cosmetic reshaping has increased greatly in recent years.

Recovery after surgery is long and may require having the mouth wired shut for an extended period. Orthodontia (braces) is often necessary both before and/or after surgery.

Prices (US $15,000+ in Korea) and risks are high. The operations are performed under general anesthesia and can last from two to eight hours. Complications include breathing problems, excessive bleeding, permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, chewing problems, unexpected or poor cosmetic outcomes, and rarely death. Clearly, such surgery is best performed by maxillofacial surgeon specialists rather than general plastic surgeons.

Instead of detailing this diverse group of operations that can alter the nose, midface, and lower face on a single page, we present information in each relevant section of our Knowledge Base, including the jaw (this section), cheeks, mouth and lips, and chin.