SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS is usually indicated for those with severe jaw problems that cannot be treated with braces alone by moving teeth to give an acceptable aesthetic result. Braces are placed on for one to two years to align the teeth correctly before the patient undergoes a jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to correct the jaw problem. The orthodontist will usually plan your case with an oral maxillofacial surgeon to determine how to align the teeth before the surgery to align the jaws.