What is Jaw Surgery?

The jaw is a functional structure formed by the articulation of two bones with each other and with the other facial bones. The area that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of structural disorders in the jaw bones is jaw surgery. While it can be included in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, dentists' Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery They can also provide services in the field of maxillofacial surgery by taking specialist training in the department.

Maxillofacial surgery It is an area developed while trying to treat soldiers injured during the war. In addition to those who apply to jaw surgery with the effects of traumas and genetic factors experienced today, jaw surgery is also helped because it affects the entire appearance of the face in terms of aesthetics.

When Is Jaw Surgery Applied?

One of the main reasons for applying for maxillofacial surgery is; Failure to fulfill basic functions such as speaking, eating, chewing, swallowing, or loss of function at a level that will affect daily life. Other reasons to apply for maxillofacial surgery;

• There may be situations in which tumoral structures and cysts in the jaw need to be removed by surgical procedures.
• Jaw fractures can occur as a result of traffic accidents or other injuries. Jaw surgery is also involved in the treatment of jaw fractures.
• Jaw surgeries can be performed in cases that disrupt aesthetic beauty such as lower and upper jaw retardation.
• Curvatures of the jaw tip or structurally asymmetrical standing of the jaw bones can also be considered as situations that require jaw surgery.
• Jaw surgery is used for congenital structural disorders, such as babies with a cleft palate.

How Is Jaw Surgery Applied?

There are different treatment methods according to the procedure to be performed. In the aesthetic field to jaw surgery if to apply; operations such as filing, attaching wire or screw, cutting out some of the jaw bones can be performed. Screws can be used to fix the jaw bones in the treatment of traumatic injuries or fractures. The determination of these treatment methods is made as a result of examinations carried out in the presence of a specialist.

Jaw surgery In general, the incision is made in the mouth and the procedures are applied. For this reason, there is no scar after the treatment. If the application is to be performed on only one chin, an intervention that takes 1-2 hours is required. In surgeries applied to both jaws, this period can be extended up to 3-5 hours.

What Are the Risks of Maxillofacial Surgery?

Problems that can be seen in all surgeries may be encountered in jaw surgeries. Since there are procedures performed under general anesthesia, nausea, vomiting, and adaptation problems for a few hours may be experienced after surgery due to anesthesia. In addition, bruising and swelling are seen around the face. In this process, which affects daily life for a certain period of time, the healing process can take a long time. Working with specialist physicians will help control other problems that may develop during the surgery.

How Is The Healing Process After Maxillofacial Surgery?

Liquid food consumption can be started from the first hours after jaw surgery. Drug treatment is started with antibiotics and painkillers determined by the specialist physician. In this process, the necessary medication doses are given for you to feel the least pain and pain. It is possible to be discharged from the hospital within 3-4 days as a result of the observations and examinations of the physician. The healing process is accelerated with drugs to be used to remove swelling and bruises on the face. Edema and bruises are expected to improve within a few weeks. A longer period of time is required for full recovery. During the healing process, differences can be seen between people. Generally, full recovery is seen within 2-3 months.

Who Can Perform Jaw Surgery?

There is no age limit in cases requiring emergency intervention. For other procedures, there is an 18 age limit for women and men. The reason for this is to wait for the jaw development to complete. In this way, while the permanence of the procedure increases, it is to prevent a problem again in the future.