Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery Description…
Additional information can be obtained from our YourJawSurgery.com website, which consists of an online resource consisting of a patient journey, patient stories, animations of surgery and other resources which may be of benefit.
Several animated guides to chin surgery can be watched here:
Several animated guides to jaw surgery for facial asymmetry can be watched here:
Several animated guides to double jaw surgery can be watched here:
Several animated guides to lower jaw forward surgery can be watched here:
Several animated guides to top jaw surgery can be watched here:
Use hot salt water (teaspoon of table slat in a mug of hot water) or an antiseptic mouth rinse every 4 hours and after meals. Continue with this until the area has healed.
Be gentle when brushing teeth for the first few days in the extraction site, keep rest of teeth as clean as possible.
You may get a small amount of bleeding in the first few days. If the bleeding is persistent you should apply pressure to the area by biting hard on a clean rolled up handkerchief or cloth for 10 minutes. Make sure the handkerchief is placed directly on the bleeding area.
Avoid further mouth rinsing for 12 hours.
Discomfort can be expected after a tooth extraction or oral surgery and there may be some swelling. Simple pain-relieving tablets may be needed for the first few days. We recommend Paracetamol or any tablets you would normally take for headaches. Please follow the instructions on the packet.
Your local pharmacist can advise you on pain relief if necessary.
You will almost certainly look different to some degree; quite how different depends on the extent of your original problem and how much the jaw(s) have had to be moved.
Orthognathic surgery aims to balance the bony framework of the face, so that all the features are in proportion to one another, producing a pleasing facial appearance and teeth that chew better.
The vast majority of patients are delighted with the results, and although there may be some difficult times during the treatment, once it is completed the benefits will often last a lifetime!
The mouth opens and closes normally, even on the day of surgery, but this opening is limited by the elastic bands, placed between upper and lower teeth, and swelling.
You will be encouraged to eat and drink from the first day, and gradually progress from soft, very mushy or liquid food, to a normal but soft diet over the next few weeks.
Our dietitians will give further advice, and there is a separate dietitian information sheet on managing your diet after jaw surgery, if required.
This depends on the individual, but most patients stay in hospital for one or two nights after surgery.
People vary in their speed of recovery, but you should consider taking between two and six weeks off from your usual commitments.
Recognised by major healthcare providers
