Jaw surgery
What is jaw surgery?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Recovery
What is jaw surgery?
During jaw surgery, a doctor surgically cuts
the jaw bone and then permanently repositions
it with titanium plates and screws. The procedure
quickly and dramatically impacts a person’s
appearance, and is usually performed through
incisions inside the mouth.
Penn is on the cutting edge of a technique
called “distraction.” Using this
technique, the surgeon cuts the bone and then
inserts a small metal spacer. After the surgery,
a small metal key is used to gradually expand
the spacer twice a day. A two-centimeter expansion
can take up to two weeks to achieve.
After the jaw has reached its final position,
the spacer is either left in place until the
jaw heals naturally or the jaw is permanently
set in place with titanium plates and screws.
Who is a good candidate?
Jaw surgery can fix an over bite or under bite,
correct a developmental problem, advance orthodontic
care or be the final step in reconstructing
a cleft lip/palate.
Jaw surgery is commonly used as a final step
in orthodontic care for adults and children.
Patients typically require six months to one
year of orthodontia before having jaw surgery.
Additional care may be required after the surgery
as well.
Penn’s plastic surgeons also work at
the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
(CHOP). CHOP is one of the nation’s leading
centers for cleft lip/palate reconstruction.
The transition to care at Penn is seamless for
young adults who have been treated at CHOP.
Children born with cleft lip/palate problems
will likely require several surgeries while
they are still growing. The final surgery to
advance the jaw is often done after the age
of 16.
Risks
Every type of surgery has risks, but you can
usually help prevent complications by carefully
following your physician's instructions. It's
important to talk with your plastic surgeon
before surgery to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications.
Recovery
You can expect to have some swelling and discomfort
for two to three weeks after jaw surgery. Carefully
following your doctor’s postoperative
orders will help speed your recovery.
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