How long does a maxillary osteotomy take?
Most surgeries take 2 to 5 hours, but the exact length of time depends on the specific procedure being performed. During jaw surgery, most of the incisions are made inside your mouth, although in some cases very small incisions will be made on the outside. Overall, scarring on your face or chin is unlikely.
How long does it take for bone to heal after jaw surgery?
The bone should heal in about 6 weeks. It will take about 9 to 12 months before the jaw fully heals.
How long does it take for swelling to go down after maxillofacial surgery?
You must anticipate a large degree of swelling over your cheek area as well as down into your neck. The swelling is maximal at Day 4 and will slowly subside after 2 weeks. There is still about 10 to 20% of swelling that can maintain up to 2 months after surgery.
What is jaw surgery recovery like?
Recovery time for orthognathic surgery is six weeks. Most doctors recommend patients take two weeks off of work or school following their surgery. Complete jaw healing takes up to three months. Immediately after the surgery, you may experience postoperative symptoms such as bleeding, nausea, and swelling.
How long do I have to sleep elevated after jaw surgery?
Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows or in a comfortable recliner chair for the first week following surgery. Numbness in the lower jaw and chin will occur after a lower jaw fracture or surgery and in the upper jaw and along the nose and lip following an upper jaw fracture or surgery.
Can your jaw move back after jaw surgery?
The surgeon makes cuts behind the molars and lengthwise down the jawbone so the front of the jaw can move as one unit. The jaw can then be moved to its new position either forward or backward. Plates and screws hold the jawbone together as it heals.
Are screws removed after jaw surgery?
Loose bone screws: Generally, bone screws do not come loose. If this does occur, the problem is treated by removing the screws after the bone has healed. Patients may require further surgery to remove wires, pins, screws, plates or splints.
How long do I have to wear rubber bands after jaw surgery?
At two weeks after surgery, you will begin to take off and put on the rubber bands yourself. We will show you where we want the rubber bands to go. See the chart below. The doctor may change the pattern of your rubber bands over the next 8 weeks.
What can I eat 2 weeks after jaw surgery?
After 2 weeks you can commence a non-chew food diet. The rule of thumb is to eat food that you can easily squish between your fingers and anything that does not make any noise(ie hard or crunchy foods). Examples include: mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, fish and over-boiled/soft pastas cut into small pieces etc.