What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery, and When Would I Need It?

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Corrective jaw surgery repairs irregularities of the jaw, and it realigns your maxilla and mandible (upper and lower jawbones). This makes it much easier to bite and chew normally. It may ease facial pain and fatigue, as well. If your dental issues make it difficult to perform routine activities, such as biting, chewing, or speaking, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon in Valencia, West Valley, and Palmdale, CA, for corrective jaw surgery.

What Might Cause Me to Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Advanced gum disease can cause issues with your jawbone. Bone loss from a lost or extracted permanent tooth can, too. Or if you’ve suffered an injury to this area, corrective jaw surgery may be the solution. A disorder of your temporomandibular joint could also require surgery for repair.

If you’re noticing sudden or gradual changes to your teeth and gums that are making everyday activities more difficult, it’s time to see your dental professional for help.

What Happens During Corrective Jaw Surgery?

During corrective jaw surgery, your oral surgeon detaches either your upper or lower jawbone and repositions it back to where it’s supposed to be. They then secure it through a combination of fixation plates and screws while it heals. Typically, the plates and screws do not require removal after the surgery.

In some forms of oral surgery, your surgeon may shave off excess bone that has grown where it shouldn’t. Excess bone growth can cause normally flat surfaces to become angled, causing issues such as an open bite.

How Long Is Recovery From Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Your recovery time will depend on your particular type of surgery, but any bruising should disappear after several days. Swelling usually takes two to three weeks to disappear. The jawbone, itself, may need a full year to heal completely. Prescription pain medication may be required in the few days following your procedure. However, over-the-counter medication should be all that’s required afterward.

For more information on corrective jaw surgery in Valencia, West Valley, or Palmdale, CA, contact Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers. Our experienced team is always ready to sit down with you to answer any questions you may have regarding your upcoming surgery. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

post jaw alignment surgery

Orthognathic Surgery to Correct Jaw Misalignment – What to Expect After Surgery

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Even though it is a common misconception that everyone’s jaws are perfectly aligned, the opposite is actually true. Most people do not have perfectly aligned jaws, but the small misalignments normally do not pose any major threats or issues. However, for a small number of people, the jaws are so misaligned that it can bring about issues with bite alignment, jaw pain, and more. In these cases, orthognathic surgery to correct the misalignment is often necessary. If you have been told you need jaw alignment surgery, most of your concerns can logically be about the recovery process.

How long does it take to recover from jaw surgery?

Recovery from jaw surgery can be a bit lengthy. You can anticipate that you anywhere from one to three weeks off of school or work after a short stay in the hospital of up to four days. The full recovery period can be as much as 12 weeks, but the duration can also depend on specifically how the procedure was done and why. Some patients are relatively recovered at about six weeks.

Will you be in a lot of pain after surgery?

You can experience some pain after surgery, but your doctor will work with you to help keep you comfortable during the process. It is normal to have quite a bit of swelling and some bruising, and there may be a bit of bleeding for about 10 days after surgery. Once your jaws start to heal, you should be mostly comfortable as long as you follow the guidelines of the doctor.

When will you get to start eating normal foods again?

You may be on a liquid diet for several days and then transition to a soft-food diet after that initial period. You will likely be on a soft food diet for about four to six weeks depending on how quickly you heal.

Contact Us About Jaw Surgery in Valencia, Palmdale, or Canoga Park, CA

At Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers, we understand how intimidating certain surgical procedures can be. If you believe you may need jaw alignment surgery or have concerns about the procedure, reach out to us to schedule an appointment. https://aedit.com/procedure/jaw-surgery-orthognathic-surgery

3 Ways a Broken Jaw Can Affect Your Oral Health

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A direct blow to the mandible or another part of the jaw can cause these bones to break just like other bones in your body. A broken jaw can occur:

  • If your chin hits the dash during an automobile accident
  • If you are punched directly in the jaw
  • If you fall and hit your jaw on the ground

Unfortunately, a broken jaw can lead to a lot of oral health issues that have to be corrected. Take a look at some of the common ways a broken jaw can affect your oral health.

You Could Develop a TMJ Disorder

TMJ (Temporomandibular) disorders are disorders that affect the jaw joints and muscles that are responsible for things like biting, chewing, and speaking. People who have had a broken jaw are more prone to TMJ disorders. These disorders are commonly linked to cracking and popping when you speak or chew, pain in the jaw, and tension in the jaw muscles that make it difficult to use your mouth.

Your Bite Alignment Could Be Altered

One of the most common issues in patients who have sustained a broken jaw is the alignment of their bite. You may notice that your teeth do not connect when you close your mouth, that your lower teeth have shifted sideways or forward, or other issues with bite alignment. These issues stem from the shift of the mandible, which can be slight or quite substantial with severe breaks. Over time, this change in the bite alignment can be hard on your teeth because you will naturally chew awkwardly when you eat.

Your Speech Could Change

Many people who suffer a broken jaw develop numbness in their lower lip or even in their chin or tongue. There is a series of nerves that run through the mandible, and certain fractures can impede upon these nerves. Unfortunately, if the nerves are affected and you do not get proper treatment, it can affect your speech for the long term.

Reach Out To Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers for Advice

A broken jaw is not something you should ignore. The jaw must be carefully reset and monitored for proper healing afterward. If you have issues due to a broken jaw, reach out to us at Heritage Oral Health & Implant Centers for an appointment.