Craniofacial · London
Craniofacial surgery for adults — skull, face and jaw, rebuilt properly.
A super-specialist field where neurosurgery meets plastic and maxillofacial surgery — reconstruction of the skull, face and jaw, planned by a full multi-disciplinary team rather than a single surgeon working alone.
Why patients choose us
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A true multi-specialty craniofacial team
Neurosurgery, plastic and maxillofacial surgeons working alongside orthodontics, speech and psychology — not one surgeon working in isolation.
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Access to complex reconstruction
Free flaps, mandibular distraction, orbital rebuilds and facial reanimation — the whole toolkit, not just the parts one surgeon happens to offer.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What craniofacial surgery costs privately in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner units. Most complex reconstruction is NHS specialist commissioned; orthognathic and aesthetic-led cases often go private.
In short
Private orthognathic surgery in London: £18,000–£38,000, planned with 3D imaging and orthodontics.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthognathic surgery (Le Fort I / BSSO / genioplasty) | £18,000–£38,000 | 3–5 hr GA | 6–12 weeks |
| Facial fracture reconstruction (post-trauma) | £8,000–£22,000 | 2–4 hr GA | 4–8 weeks |
| Orbital reconstruction | £10,000–£20,000 | 2–3 hr GA | 4–8 weeks |
| Free flap reconstruction (post-tumour) | £30,000–£70,000 | 8–12 hr GA | 3–6 months |
| Facial reanimation (nerve graft / gracilis free flap) | £20,000–£55,000 | 6–10 hr GA | 6–12 months |
| Mandibular distraction osteogenesis | £15,000–£30,000 | 2–3 hr GA | 3–6 months |
| Craniofacial MDT consultation | £350–£600 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
Prices vary widely by unit, complexity, whether virtual surgical planning is used, and the amount of orthodontic and rehabilitation input required. We come back with a firm quote after the MDT has reviewed your case.
The problem
One surgeon, three specialities — the wrong first door.
Craniofacial problems get sent to whichever door you knocked on first — a plastic surgeon, a maxillofacial surgeon, or a neurosurgeon. The right answer is almost always all three, in the same room.
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Bite that doesn’t meet?
Orthognathic surgery is the answer for skeletal malocclusion — but only after orthodontic and 3D planning, not as a stand-alone jaw operation.
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Old facial injury?
A healed facial fracture with visible or functional problems can still be reconstructed — often years later, with careful re-planning.
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Face that doesn’t move?
Long-standing facial-nerve loss can be treated with reanimation surgery. It is a real option, not something to accept.
The journey
Assessment, 3D planning, surgery, rehab — in that order.
Craniofacial results depend on the planning that happens weeks before the operation, not just the hours in theatre.
Phase 1 · Before surgery
MDT, imaging and virtual planning
Phase 2 · Surgery
In a specialist unit
Phase 3 · After
Rehab and long-term review
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. The problem, the history, previous surgery, imaging you already have.
- 02
Before
MDT assessment
Your case is put in front of the right combination — craniofacial surgeon, maxillofacial, orthodontist, speech, psychology — depending on the problem.
- 03
Before
3D imaging and virtual surgical planning
CT with 3D reconstruction, cutting guides and predictive occlusion planning where relevant. Nothing is improvised on the day.
- 04
Surgery
Admission to the specialist unit
Craniofacial cases are done in units set up for them — a dedicated theatre, anaesthetist, and high-dependency support ready if needed.
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Surgery
The surgery itself
Anything from a few hours (orthognathic) to a full day (free flap reconstruction). Combined-team operating for the more complex cases.
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After
Recovery and rehabilitation
Ward-based recovery, then early input from speech, orthodontics, physiotherapy and psychology — whichever your case needs.
- 07
After
Long-term follow-up
Craniofacial results are judged over months and years, not weeks. Reviews continue until the bone, soft tissue and occlusion have settled.
Typical end-to-end for orthognathic surgery: 12–18 months including orthodontics. Free-flap reconstruction: 6–12 months of rehabilitation.
When it helps
When craniofacial surgery is the right step for an adult.
The adult indications we see most often. Children’s craniofacial care is a separate pathway — see the birth-defect guide below.
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Post-traumatic facial fracture
Reconstruction of the mid-face, mandible or orbit after a serious facial injury that has healed poorly or was not treated at the time.
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Orbital wall reconstruction
Rebuilding a blown-out or displaced orbit — for double vision, a sunken eye, or a change in eye position after injury or tumour surgery.
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Skeletal malocclusion (orthognathic)
Jaws that do not meet correctly — Le Fort I of the upper jaw, BSSO of the lower jaw, and genioplasty of the chin, planned with orthodontics.
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Post-tumour reconstruction
Rebuilding the jaw, mid-face or floor of the mouth with a free flap (fibula, radial forearm, scapula) after resection for oral or facial cancer.
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Post-radiation deformity
Late reconstruction after radiotherapy has left contracted, damaged or non-healing tissue in the face or jaw.
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Facial paralysis reconstruction
Nerve grafts and free-muscle transfer (gracilis) to restore a smile and eye closure after Bell’s palsy that has not recovered, or facial-nerve sacrifice at surgery.
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Adult presentation of a birth defect
Cleft, craniosynostosis or syndromic craniofacial conditions carried into adulthood — see the child-focused guide below.
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Red flag: airway or vision concern
Any craniofacial problem affecting breathing, vision or the level of consciousness is an emergency — A&E, not a clinic booking.
For children with cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis and syndromic craniofacial conditions, see our companion guide: Craniofacial surgery for birth defects.
Procedure options
The operations, plainly described.
The most commonly recommended procedures — with the plain-English version of what each one actually involves.
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Orthognathic surgery
Le Fort I, BSSO and genioplasty to move the upper jaw, lower jaw and chin into their planned positions — corrects bite, breathing and profile.
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Free flap reconstruction
Bone and soft tissue transferred with its own blood supply (fibula, radial forearm, scapula, gracilis) to rebuild large defects of the jaw or face.
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Orbital reconstruction
Titanium mesh, patient-specific implants or bone grafts to rebuild the orbital walls and restore eye position and volume.
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Mandibular distraction
Slow, controlled lengthening of the jaw with a distractor device — for hypoplastic mandibles and some obstructive airway cases.
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Facial reanimation
Cross-facial nerve grafts, masseteric nerve transfer and gracilis free-muscle transfer to restore movement after facial-nerve loss.
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Cranioplasty
Reconstruction of skull defects with a custom implant after trauma, tumour resection or previous surgery.
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Post-tumour reconstruction
Combined resection and immediate reconstruction with plastic, maxillofacial and reconstructive teams operating together.
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MDT-only consultation
A second opinion in front of the full craniofacial team — often the most useful first step for complex cases.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of craniofacial teams, we picked them.
Full craniofacial MDTs in London and the surrounding units. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case and what specialities need to be around the table.
Selection criteria
How we choose every craniofacial team in our network.
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Consultant craniofacial team — neurosurgery, plastic and maxillofacial working together
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Access to orthodontics, speech and language, and clinical psychology in the same pathway
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3D imaging and virtual surgical planning available for orthognathic and reconstructive cases
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Familiar with NHS specialist commissioning routes as well as private
Safety and red flags
The risks worth knowing — honestly.
Craniofacial procedures are major surgery. The risks are real; a good team names them upfront and plans specifically to avoid them.
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Airway compromise
Any craniofacial procedure near the jaw or mid-face can affect the airway. Anaesthetic planning and, occasionally, an overnight airway watch are standard.
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CSF leak
A recognised risk of surgery close to the skull base — usually settles with rest and lumbar drain; occasionally needs a second procedure.
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Meningitis
Rare but serious after any procedure that crosses into the intracranial space — fever, neck stiffness or headache after surgery needs same-day review.
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Blindness after orbital surgery
A very rare but real risk of orbital work — pain, sudden visual change or a swollen eye after surgery is an emergency.
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Infra-orbital nerve injury
Numbness of the cheek and upper lip after mid-face surgery is common and often temporary; permanent numbness is possible.
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Non-union of osteotomy
The bone cuts made in orthognathic surgery need to heal solidly — occasionally they don’t, and revision is required.
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Malocclusion
The bite may not settle exactly as planned — orthodontic finishing after surgery is normal, and small revisions are sometimes needed.
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Temporomandibular joint problems
Jaw stiffness, clicking or pain around the TMJ can follow orthognathic or condylar work — physiotherapy usually settles it.
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Flap failure and cosmetic result
Free flaps carry a small risk of complete failure and need close monitoring for the first week. Aesthetic outcomes are judged over months — honest expectations matter.
Reading your MDT letter
Your craniofacial notes, in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever operation was performed, the letter the team sends you follows the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Craniofacial letters are technical — we translate them into plain English for you.
If you would like us to walk you through your MDT letter before your next review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and MDT plan
What the problem is, which team members have seen you, and the plan agreed at the craniofacial MDT.
- 02 Technique
Procedure and reconstruction
The osteotomies made, the fixation used, and — where relevant — the flap harvested and the vessels anastomosed.
- 03 Findings
Intra-operative findings
Bone quality, nerve integrity, tumour margins, and any deviation from the virtual surgical plan.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, rehab and follow-up
Read this first: expected recovery, when orthodontics or speech input begins, and the long-term review schedule.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for craniofacial surgery varies by insurer and by indication — post-traumatic and post-tumour work is typically funded; orthognathic surgery has stricter criteria. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything patients ask about craniofacial surgery.
Quick answers on what it is, who the team should be, NHS vs private, and how long recovery really takes.
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What is craniofacial surgery?
A super-specialist field that combines neurosurgery with plastic and maxillofacial surgery to reconstruct the skull, face and jaw. It covers everything from a healed facial fracture and orthognathic (jaw-realignment) surgery through to free-flap reconstruction after cancer and facial reanimation after nerve loss.
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Is this the same as facial cosmetic surgery?
No. Craniofacial surgery deals with the bones of the skull, face and jaw and the soft tissue that covers them, usually for functional problems — bite, breathing, vision, appearance after trauma or tumour. Aesthetic facelift and rhinoplasty work are a separate discipline, though the surgeons often overlap.
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Who is on a craniofacial MDT?
A craniofacial multi-disciplinary team typically includes a craniofacial or neurosurgeon, a plastic surgeon, a maxillofacial surgeon, an orthodontist, a speech and language therapist, and a clinical psychologist. For paediatric or syndromic cases you would also expect a geneticist and an audiologist.
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Do children with craniofacial conditions come here?
Most children’s craniofacial conditions — cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, syndromic conditions — are managed in NHS supra-regional centres from birth. Our companion page on craniofacial surgery for birth defects covers those pathways; this page focuses on adults.
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Is craniofacial surgery available on the NHS?
Yes — much of it is specialist commissioned in the UK, in a small number of designated units. Post-traumatic reconstruction and post-tumour reconstruction almost always go through the NHS. Orthognathic surgery has strict NHS criteria; some patients choose the private route to shorten the wait or for a smaller aesthetic issue.
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What is virtual surgical planning?
A CT scan is turned into a 3D model of your skull and jaws. The surgeon plans the osteotomies on-screen and 3D-prints custom cutting guides and plates. The result is a shorter operation and a more predictable outcome — now routine for orthognathic and complex reconstruction.
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How long is recovery from jaw surgery?
After orthognathic surgery most people are back to office work at three to four weeks and to full activity by six to eight weeks. Bone healing takes three months; the final bite is refined by the orthodontist over the following six.
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What is a free flap?
Tissue — bone, muscle, skin or a combination — moved from another part of your body with its blood vessels, which are then joined to vessels in the neck under a microscope. It is how large defects of the jaw or face are rebuilt after cancer surgery.
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What is facial reanimation?
Surgery to restore movement after the facial nerve has been lost or damaged — for example after acoustic neuroma surgery or long-standing Bell’s palsy. Techniques include nerve grafts, masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer, and gracilis free-muscle transfer to give a voluntary smile.
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When should I seek urgent care after craniofacial surgery?
Fever, neck stiffness, worsening headache, sudden visual change, painful or swollen eye, heavy bleeding, or any change in level of consciousness — all reasons for same-day A&E review rather than waiting for a clinic call.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Craniofacial surgery for birth defects
Cleft, craniosynostosis and syndromic conditions in children.
Learn more -
Craniotomy
Surgical opening of the skull for tumour, aneurysm or trauma.
Learn more -
All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
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Talk to us
Send an enquiry — one working day to a plan.
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Acne
Related condition guide.
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Eczema
Related condition guide.
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Mole Check
Related diagnostic test.
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Mole Mapping
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more
In practice, in London
Where craniofacial surgery sits in a private London pathway
For craniofacial surgery, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. Waiting lists on the NHS for craniofacial surgery vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, we can normally offer a slot inside the same week, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality — the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS — it’s the calendar.
A typical private booking for craniofacial surgery in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For craniofacial surgery in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
Fit matters more than people expect. For craniofacial surgery, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.
Nearby in the library