Many people discover that they are in need of corrective jaw surgery when visiting an orthodontist to get braces. In these cases, a skeletal issue can be detected that requires a more intensive approach than standard dental problems. Either way, most patients can still expect to be fitted for braces prior to their surgery in order to properly adjust their teeth. Further adjustments can then be made to the braces after a period of approximately six weeks has passed from the surgery date.

How Most Corrective Facial Surgery on the Jaw is Performed

When faced with lower jaw surgery, a patient can expect to be placed under general anesthesia and to undergo their procedure in a hospital or other surgical center. In order to properly adjust a patient’s jaw to correct issues such as an under or overgrowth, the oral surgeon surgically separates a patient’s jaw and will typically need to make incisions to segment areas for alignment. Screws and plates are then used to be certain that the new positioning of the jaw is stabilized. While under general anesthesia, patients can typically expect to have a pain-free experience during the procedure.

Afterward and Recovery Timeframe

Many patients liken the post-operation pain to that of a wisdom tooth extraction. However, jaw surgery can be accompanied with slightly increased swelling. Most patients can expect a recovery period somewhere between 10 days and three weeks, with full bone rejuvenation occurring typically by the end of three months. While each case is different, anyone preparing for this type of oral surgery should allocate a period of approximately one to three weeks before expecting to return to work.
While most lower jaw operations do not require a patient to return home with their mouth wired shut, a liquid diet is typically prescribed due to soreness and swelling. Pain medication can also be prescribed, but is recommended at a frequency and duration that is specific to each individual case. Three to Four follow-up appointments are customary within the first two months following the procedure. After two months, a patient can also expect to have an appointment to then adjust their braces. While full healing of the bones is typical at three months, many patients will return to a feeling of normalcy after two months also.

Newtown Dental Surgery Services at The Oral Surgery Group

The oral and maxillofacial surgery team at The Oral Surgery Group has over 20 years of experience and consists of trusted experts within their community. Our doctors take pride in providing the highest standard of personalized and professional service for the patients that they serve.