Why Have Corrective Jaw Surgery: Causes, The Procedure And Recovery

According to the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

, "Corrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery is performed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth, which, in turn, can improve chewing, speaking and breathing." Of course, having surgery on such a prominent facial feature will alter one's appearance, but the main purpose of corrective jaw surgery is to improve necessary, normal functionality--it is not intended as a cosmetic procedure.

Are you a good candidate for corrective jaw surgery? There are several conditions the operation can correct and functioning challenges it can eliminate. If any of the following are true for you, you may be a good candidate for the procedure: it's challenging to chew, bite or swallow properly; you suffer from TMJ; you've been impaired by facial trauma; you struggle with sleep apnea; or, you have any number of common jaw deformities, such as an open bite, or a protruding or receding lower jaw. These are just a few of the conditions that corrective jaw surgery can correct.

Because it is a major surgery, your dentist, orthodontist and/or oral surgeon will assess whether or not the procedure is right for you. In addition to being healthy overall, a good candidate will be educated and enter into the operation with proper expectations. For most patients, corrective jaw surgery is not a quick fix. It requires orthodontic care, oftentimes before and after the procedure, that can last years.

A large component of being an informed patient is understanding how corrective jaw surgery is performed and what steps may be included. Because the jaw bones themselves are going to be moved, the teeth must be moved as well. Orthodontic care prior to the operation ensures that your teeth are properly located and fit together following the surgery. During the actual operation, your surgeon will shift bone placement, and he or she may need to add, remove or reshape the jaws based on your specific desired outcome. Some patients may require additions of screws, bands or metal plates to hold the new configuration together. Luckily, most corrective jaw surgeries can be done through incisions on the inside, as opposed to the outside of the mouth, which eliminates visible scarring.

The immediate recovery period following the surgery lasts around six weeks, says AAOMS, but full recovery--including follow-up visits and orthodontic care--lasts between nine and twelve months. For many, it can last longer, but the healing process starts immediately following the operation. Patients will have to modify their diets, consuming liquids and foods that require little to no jaw movement, for a doctor specified amount of time. Pain management medications will be prescribed, along with instructions for keeping the head elevated; keeping swelling at bay with ice and cold compresses; and getting plenty of water and rest. The key to recovering property after corrective jaw surgery, or any surgery, is to follow your doctor's post-operative instructions without fail.

After you have completely healed from the procedure, you can look forward to having a more natural, easily functioning and balanced face and jaw. You will likely benefit from enhanced breathing and the abilities to chew, close the mouth fully, swallow and much more following your corrective jaw surgery.

by: Drew Barton

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