Can you get oral surgery for a very small lower jaw on child?

Jaw surgery: Usually not. The jaw growth needs to be done before you can consider surgery. There are however different timing considerations based on the type of surgery need. These should be discussed with an oral surgeon.

Depends on the issue: In most cases, the child has completed growth prior to mandibular surgery. However there are some microsomia or micrognathic conditions that may be improved be interventional treatment. An evaluation by an oral surgeon is certainly necessary.

Usually no: You typically want to let facial growth be completed, but if the child is having significant nighttime airway obstruction due to the small lower jaw, some highly specialized surgeons will operate on the jaw to prevent a tracheotomy. Only a few centers in the country do this.

No: Lower jaw surgery is usually limited to non-growing individuals. If lower jaw is too small, orthodontic treatment can harmonize jaw size.

Small jaw: Surgery to treat a small jaw (orthognathic surgery) is generally completed on patients after growth is complete. There are some unusual exceptions. During the growing years, the orthodontis can use some techniques to encourage jaw growth.

Depends: Certain syndromes like pierre robin sequence, jaw surgery is warranted and needed. Severe TMJ destruction can cause small jaw. After 13, 14 years of age, most patients that have small jaw, can have surgery.

Yes, but...: My colleagues have outlined the normal situations and timings of surgery, and dr. Jamali's understanding of it is right on the mark. I might add that some orthodontists feel that they can have a real effect upon the growth of the lower jaw. There is no literature of note that supports this. The lower jaw (in the absence of pathology and trauma) grows by genetics, we cannot add to this.

Eventually: If you operate on a growing child's jaw, you can inhibit subsequent growth. Therefore most such surgeries done after growth completed. There are exceptions. Follow advice or orthodontist and board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon.