Restore function.
Enhance harmony.
Discover confidence.
Life-changing corrective jaw surgery from a fellowship-trained craniofacial surgeon.
See how corrective jaw surgery can improve bite and breathing, enhance facial harmony, and help patients feel more confident.
Whether you’re exploring treatment for yourself or your child, living with a jaw or bite that isn’t aligned properly can mean hiding a smile, feeling self-conscious, avoiding certain foods, dependence on CPAP, or experiencing ongoing difficulties with jaw function.
Orthognathic or corrective jaw surgery in Washington, DC can address bite problems, jaw imbalance, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) concerns, sleep and breathing issues, and improve facial proportions to help patients eat, speak, breathe, and smile with confidence.
At the National Capital Center for Jaw Surgery, we use state-of-the-art technology and virtual surgical planning to map every procedure with precision.
Custom surgical guides and implants tailored to each patient’s anatomy allow us to position the jaws with accuracy for stable, life-changing results.
Whenever appropriate, we also use minimally invasive techniques to reduce trauma to surrounding tissues, promote a smoother recovery and help patients return to their daily routine sooner.
Corrective jaw surgery is a highly personalized process. Patients and families don’t need to know which procedure is right before reaching out.
Dr. Magraw will evaluate each patient’s individual anatomy, functional concerns, goals, and use virtual planning tools to recommend the best approach for their needs.
Upper Jaw/Le Fort
If a patient has an underbite, open bite, crossbite, gummy smile or facial asymmetry, the upper jaw can be repositioned with a Le Fort osteotomy.
Repositioning the upper jaw can improve the bite, facial harmony, nasal breathing, and midface/cheek projection. The upper jaw is an important aesthetic landmark and is the foundation of a beautiful smile.
Lower Jaw/BSSO
If a patient has an overbite, weak chin or double chin, it is often because the lower jaw sits too far back. In some cases, the lower jaw may sit too far forward or unevenly.
Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomies (BSSO) can improve lower jaw and chin projection, bite, symmetry, and jaw function. Repositioning the lower jaw may also improve TMJ function and, when advanced forward, create more airway space for patients with sleep apnea.
Genioplasty
If the chin feels out of proportion with the rest of the face, Dr. Magraw can advance, reposition, or reshape it with genioplasty to improve projection, symmetry, and balance.
It can be performed on its own or simultaneously during jaw surgery to further refine projection, proportions and symmetry. A genioplasty is a powerful aesthetic procedure.
Maxillomandibular Advancement
If sleep apnea is caused by tongue-based obstruction, maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) can address the underlying problem.
By moving both jaws forward, MMA creates more airway space, reduces obstruction during sleep, and can provide significant or even curative improvement for some patients.
Temporomandibular Joint
If temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, limited movement, or joint dysfunction continues despite conservative care, Dr. Magraw can determine whether surgery may offer a more lasting solution.
Depending on the joint problem, treatment may range from minimally invasive options such as arthrocentesis, to open joint surgery, including arthroplasty or total joint replacement.
If your child has an underbite caused by limited upper jaw growth, Dr. Magraw may recommend bone anchors to help guide the upper jaw forward and improve their bite.
Because this treatment only works during a limited window during adolescence, early evaluation and timing are important.
If a patient’s facial features feel out of balance, custom implants can add definition to the cheeks, chin, or lower jaw, including the gonial angle region.
Dr. Magraw can help determine whether an implant, jaw surgery, or another approach will best achieve the desired facial balance.
For patients who want to refine their appearance or address jaw clenching and TMJ discomfort without surgery, injectables may help.
Botox® can soften wrinkles or reduce muscle tension, while dermal fillers can enhance facial contours for subtle, natural-looking results.
Treating children, adolescents and adults with facial differences requires extensive training. Dr. Magraw holds doctorate degrees in both medicine and dentistry and completed additional subspecialty surgical training in Craniofacial Surgery after residency. She is an expert in correcting congenital, developmental, and acquired differences of the skull, face, jaws, and mouth from infancy through adulthood.
Following training, Dr. Magraw practiced in Portland, OR, where she served as faculty for the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University. She was subsequently recruited to the Craniofacial Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, WA, where she taught University of Washington Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic Surgery residents.
After 7 years of practicing in the Pacific Northwest, she felt compelled to return to the greater Washington, DC area, where she grew up so she could be closer to family.
Dr. Magraw is the only surgeon in the greater Washington, DC area to hold a Certificate in Added Qualification in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She also serves as a board examiner and section editor for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, reflecting her commitment to excellence and safety.
We understand the challenges of navigating healthcare and created a process that facilitates communication and provides peace of mind for patients and families when it matters most.
The National Capital Center for Jaw Surgery was built around a boutique model with direct access to the surgeon, providing a clear path to recovery. Our goals are safety, transparency, and precision at every step to make the jaw surgery journey as easy as possible.
Dr. Magraw stays closely involved from planning through recovery, providing continuity throughout care. We are always available to answer questions and want patients and families to feel informed, supported and prepared for what comes next.
You have made my confidence so much more than it was and that was so needed.
I had an excellent experience with my upper and lower jaw surgery and couldn’t be happier with the care I received. Since jaw surgery, my sleep apnea has resolved, and I’m breathing much more easily. I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Magraw and highly recommend her to anyone considering jaw surgery.
No words can truly express our thanks to you and your team for your expertise, care and kindness. We are very fortunate to have found you.
Thank you for taking such great care of my daughter. She recovered wonderfully and I appreciate your professionalism, especially when you open about delaying surgery for growth. Thank you for your excellent care and surgical skills!
Jaw surgery can feel like a big unknown for patients and their families. Here’s what you can generally expect from consultation through recovery.
The first visit includes an evaluation of the patient’s facial structure, bite and occlusion using measurements, 3D imaging, photographs, and an intraoral scan. Dr. Magraw also coordinates closely with the patient’s orthodontist and other providers to keep care streamlined from the start.
Using the patient’s imaging and goals, Dr. Magraw creates a surgical plan tailored to their anatomy, function, and desired outcome. Patients and families review the plan together with Dr. Magraw before surgery so everyone knows what to expect.
Whenever appropriate, minimally invasive and customized techniques are used to support precise results and a smoother recovery. The procedure is performed in a hospital or surgical center with safety as the highest priority.
As the patient heals, Dr. Magraw stays directly involved in their care, monitoring progress and answering questions. Patients and families receive guidance through each stage as the patient returns to normal activities.
Coming from out of town? Virtual consultations are available for patients in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
A patient may be a candidate for jaw surgery if they have concerns such as:
Dr. Magraw will evaluate the patient’s anatomy, symptoms, and goals to determine whether jaw surgery is the right option.
National Capital Center for Jaw Surgery is out-of-network with commercial medical insurance plans, and does not accept dental insurance. In-network benefits are used for hospital and anesthesia fees, while professional fees are paid upfront with the option to submit to insurance for reimbursement.
Transparency is important. We will walk patients and families through the process, so they know what to expect before surgery.
A referral is not required to make an appointment or schedule a consultation.
However, if the patient has been seen by an orthodontist, dentist, sleep medicine physician, PCP, or other provider who recommended jaw surgery, their notes and x-rays can be helpful.
Recovery depends on the type of surgery and the way each patient’s body heals, but typically, healing from jaw surgery takes about 5-6 weeks.
Patients should expect swelling, diet changes, and activity restrictions for several weeks. Dr. Magraw’s minimally invasive approach eases recovery, and we’ll review the expected timeline during the consultation and stay closely involved throughout recovery.
The best outcomes are typically obtained when jaw surgery is coordinated with orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment has evolved, and there are now many treatment options other than traditional metal braces.
Dr. Magraw is an expert in jaw surgery for individuals being treated with clear aligners in lieu of traditional braces. She believes in patient-centered care and will support each patient’s treatment goals. Ultimately, it is important to discuss treatment options with the orthodontist prior to making a decision.
Our office is conveniently located in Chevy Chase, MD, and we proudly serve patients throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia regions.
We commonly work with patients traveling from:
We also welcome patients from outside of the greater Washington DC area. We can help arrange your preoperative and postoperative care to minimize the number of trips you need to make in-person.
If you’ve lived with jaw pain, bite problems, or concerns about your facial balance for years, you don’t have to know exactly what treatment you need before taking the first step.
A consultation can help you understand what’s causing the problem and what options may be right for you.
Ready to take the first step toward transformation?
