Jaw Surgery

About Jaw Surgery

Preparation for surgery usually (but not always) begins with the placement of braces. Once the teeth are properly aligned, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon can correct the patient's bite and jaw problems. Surgery is completed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no scars on the chin, jaw or around the mouth. With the help of anesthesia, the surgeon makes incisions in the jawbones so they can be moved to their correct position.

Depending on the needs of the patient, surgery is performed on the upper jaw (maxillary osteotomy), the lower jaw (mandibular osteotomy) or both. See types of jaw surgery.

Once the jaws are properly aligned, screws are used to secure the bones in their new position. Sometimes new bone may need to be added (bone grafting). The bone is transferred to the jaw from elsewhere in the body. Wires may occasionally be needed to hold the jaws in place until healing is complete.

During healing, a no-chew diet is recommended for approximately six weeks. Mashed potatoes and pasta are usually the firmest foods that can be tolerated. Anything that can bump the jaw out of alignment, such as excessive chewing and participating in sports and other strenuous activities, is not recommended.

Braces remain on the teeth throughout the entire surgical and recovery process. Once the jaw has healed, the patient returns to the orthodontist, who finishes aligning the teeth and eventually removes the braces. The entire orthodontic process, including surgery, lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

Although orthognathic surgical procedures are safe and predictable, some swelling, bruising, pain and bleeding — risks associated with all types of surgery — may occur. Some patients may experience numbness or tingling in the lower lip following jaw repositioning, and, in rare cases, this sensation may continue indefinitely.