Orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery as it is commonly known, can be game-changing for patients with jaw-related functional or aesthetic problems. A jaw problem, be it a crossbite, a speech problem, a breath defect, or a crooked face can all be fixed with jaw surgery. There are several jaw surgery benefits along with what the procedure involves to address the major concerns of the patient. But here is everything you need to know to better understand the surgery procedure and its recovery phase.
What is Jaw Surgery?
Jaw surgery is a broad term used to describe a set of corrective measures that move the maxilla, mandible or even both for the movement of the jaw into the desired position. Jaw surgery is ideal for patients that require orthognathic surgery because other dental methods do not seem sufficient, including:
- Profound underbites or overbites
- Jaw pain or discomfort
- Snoring noises or sleep apnea symptoms
- Biting, chewing and speaking difficulties
Asymmetrical face
It’s worth noting however, that many people also receive jaw surgery to address cosmetic goals such as looking more youthful, instead of a medical deformity.
Positive Repercussions of Jaw Surgery Overhaul
- Better Jaw Functionality and Health
Jaw surgery is a remedy to several issues that many patients go through in their daily life. If your ml is misplaced, doing basic tasks such as chewing food, talking or even inhaling through the nose, might become difficult. The procedure of realigning the jaw is done so that correct optimal functionality can be restored to improve comfort levels. Those who suffer from sleep apnea might find relief as well seeing as how the jaw surgery allows for an enlarged airway to reduce obstructions during sleep.
- Improving Facial Aesthetics
Jaw surgery has its functional benefits but at the same time, it can serve to correct the way someone looks. One of the most common causes of facial asymmetry is having ml that are out of line with each other, which then lose the symmetry around the mouth and results in one side looking different than the other. Jaw surgery corrects irregularities like this and restores a more even and pleasant shape of the facial profile. Be it a stronger chin, a more pronounced jawline or an enhancement of the ratio between the upper and lower portions of the face, patients go through an uplift in their visual appeal.
- Long-Term Benefits
People will not have to worry about alignment glitches after getting jaw surgery as it has to be done only once as opposed to orthodontic treatments which have to be done in several sittings. Once the jaw is reoriented properly, patients do not require any more treatments in the future and this makes it an appealing option for people who are having issues regarding their bite and jaw.
Unlike the braces, jaw surgery is a little more intense and tends to be an increasingly intricate process due to several different factors, these factors include recovery which is required to be able to fully heal. Here is a short description of what to expect during the surgery and the recovery period.
Jaw Surgery Procedure
Step 1: Consultation and Planning
The first part of this complex surgery begins with sitting down with a surgeon and an orthodontist and talking about the patient’s concerns, goals, and their medical history. Measured in the form of photographs and x334 scans, each jaw is given a uniquely designed plan that caters to the jaw’s specific needs and desired results. The experts are careful and in-depth in their assessment because they analyze how the jaw would function and how it would look post surgery.
Step 2: Pre-Surgery Adjustment
Any individual undergoing a jaw surgery will be required to wear braces a few months in order to seamlessly transition into the surgery. That’s because they need to ensure that your teeth are in place and positioned correctly after the operation, your doctor may use other preparatory solutions such as dietary changes, required medication and much more ad these would help the transition feel even smoother.
Step 3: The Surgery
Jaw surgery is done in a hospital or a surgery center under general anesthesia. Bone grafts can extend a procedure up to several hours, six at most. It usually takes 2 hours for a surgeon to place plates, wires, or screws in a jawbone after cutting and realigning it. Some doctors up to cut the bone of the jaw in desired areas.
Step 4: Recovery and Aftercare
The recovery period after having jaw surgery extends throughout a couple of weeks so the right amount of patience will be needed here. A post procedure guide follows below to assist you better:
First Few Days: The first couple of days after the surgery will have swelling, bruising and pain in most cases. To wear down the effects, pain measures are usually given by the surgeon, at times alongside cold compresses for soothing pain relief. As recovery and healing gets into play more, doctors shift into non dependence on pain medications. Measured use of the compression bandage is recommended, or follow doctors handouts to change it properly to keep one portion of the face from swelling more. With time,’s an improvement.
Dietary Adjustments: For the first few weeks after surgery, you will be required to keep to only soft or liquid foods. This can include smoothies, soup, mashed potatoes and other soft food that does not require much chewing. Slowly, you will be able to add solid foods in your diet as your jaw continues to heal.
Follow-Up Appointments: You need to see your surgeon from time to time to examine the progress your jaw is making. These sessions are usually accompanied with the surgeon tweaking your braces or assessing the placement of your jaw.
Physical Therapy: It is possible that some patients, as their jaw heals, are capable of being recommended exercises to promote jaw movement and prevent stiffness. This aids in the overall healing process. Such exercises are often safe to initiate a few weeks following the surgery.
Step 5: Full Recovery
Jaw surgery recovery can take quite some time for the more complex procedures taking deeper recovery times, rounding off to around 6 to 12 months on average. Moreover, at the start of recovery, you should still expect mobility in the jaw with the bones not being fused tightly together. This is when braces should still be worn so you can gradually get used to the new bite pattern.
Risks and Considerations
Every surgery always has risks associated with it and jaw surgery is no different, it has its own set of risks such as the following;
- Infection
- Achieve Nerve damage that presents with loss of sensation or paresthesia
- Blood loss
- Difficulty in swallowing and speech that is expected to last for a short period of time
- Jaw relapse in its original position – this is highly uncommon.
That said, the connotations of surgical procedures are discouraging; however with well-defined procedures and a proficient surgeon, there is equipment overhead and it seems only selective patients experience a negative outcome.
For individuals who wish to fix structural or single jaw problems and seek surgery to fix their condition, few issues can be corrected with jaw surgery it is more about working on the function or aesthetics. Apnea, hyperplasia where you want to fix your bite and vertical or horizontal facial asymmetry improvement, jaw surgery does have its plus points. As such the effort of healing does require caution and proper time to be taken, but the results do touch upon functionality and aesthetics.
Consult a doctor if you believe chop jaw tops would help you. With the surgeon, examine the regions and possibilities that alter your standard of living.