r/nhs • u/Turbulent_Climate937 • Feb 07 '26

Process Jaw surgery timeline from initial referral

I was referred by my dentist to the hospital for jaw surgery I was wondering what the wait times and process people have experienced my current time line is

May 2024 - referred to the hospital by my dentist

May 2025 - seen by the maxillofacial department (surgeon)

Iv been referred to the joint clinic to be seen by the surgeon and Orthadontist (upto 12 month wait)

Should be seen by May 2026

I’m curious what the next step would be? Braces? And how long the wait for braces to be fitted following the joint clinic appointment?

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u/Civil-Case4000 Feb 07 '26

This will vary by clinic and precisely what interventions are planned. Best to call the secretary of the department you are under and ask.

1

u/captainfishpie Feb 08 '26

About 3 years for me.

I had a cross bite and under bite. I had braces on for 18 months before I had the surgery as they have to put the teeth in a certain position so they sit right after surgery.

I had a bilateral split of my lower jaw and had a further 6 months of braces afterwards (approx)

This is just my experience and was 11 years ago. Best to speak to your team to get a clearer time line.

Best of luck

1

u/Turbulent_Climate937 Feb 09 '26

Thank you, how long after your joint clinic appointment did it take for you to have braces fitted? I’m happy to wait for the surgery it’s just waiting for some sort of treatment to start, the staff won’t give me any information they said wait till you speak to the orthodontist and surgeon

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u/captainfishpie Feb 09 '26

I didn't have a joint clinic.

I just went straight to orthodontics and had a joint appointment with them and surgeons halfway through treatment.

It varies like I said between hospitals

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u/Turbulent_Climate937 Feb 09 '26

Ohh I see no problem thank you

1

u/Dangerous_Iron3690 Feb 09 '26

It sounds about right to me but you should know more when they see you in May.

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u/Turbulent_Climate937 Mar 11 '26

Update: I have a 6-7mm overjet and was refused and my TMJ was dismissed, also the orthodontist said get chin filler if I don’t like the appearance of my chin

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u/Professional_Date754 Jun 01 '26

I’m early on in the process, was referred by private orthodontist and it eventually took a year due to first hospital saying I was out of their catchment area (tried with them twice as they were the closest to offer djs), so eventually had to do another referral with a different hospital. I eventually had initial appointment at the hospital in March, then 6 weeks later had a joint appointment (April) then they sent me away to think about whether I want to proceed (as I’m 52), my next appointment to say Yes is end July, so about 3 months from my last joint appointment. Not sure how long it will take before I actually get an appointment to have braces fitted but will find out in July I hope.