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

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