What do you need before jaw surgery?

How you prepare. In most cases, an orthodontist places braces on your teeth before surgery. Braces are usually on for 12 to18 months before surgery to level and align your teeth in preparation for surgery. Your orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon work together to develop your treatment plan.

What is the preparation for jaw surgery?

24 hours before. The day before surgery will be the 'cleanse' period for you. This means you'll have to fast and not eat or drink anything at least 12 hours before surgery. This will be when you stop taking any medications to prevent any adverse reactions during surgery unless directed to by your doctor.

Do you need braces before jaw surgery?

The majority of orthognathic surgery requires the patient to have braces before the process begins. The purpose of this treatment is to level and realign your teeth before you undergo surgery. Therefore, if your teeth are perfectly aligned, you won't have to get braces.

Can you brush your teeth before jaw surgery?

The day and morning before your surgery, it is important that you thoroughly brush all your teeth and appliances. The day of your surgery, you will first meet the anesthetist who will bring you to the operating room and guide you through the process over the next few hours.

Do you need to shave for jaw surgery?

Shave any facial hair (beards and moustaches) if possible for the surgery. Remove all makeup and dark purple or black nail polish before coming to the hospital.

10 Things to Know About Orthognathic Jaw Surgery

Can I use a cup after jaw surgery?

Following jaw surgery there is usually some numbness in the upper and or lower lips. When combined with facial swelling and soreness due to the incisions inside the mouth, a task as basic as drinking may seem somewhat difficult. Here are some basic tips which may assist you. Attempt to drink from a cup if possible.

How long do you 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.

Can you sneeze after jaw surgery?

If an upper jaw surgery is performed, you will need to be on sinus precautions. This entails not blowing your nose for 2 weeks. Try not to sneeze for 2 weeks. If you do sneeze, do it with your mouth open to equalize the pressure between your mouth and the sinus.

Can I shower after jaw surgery?

BATHING OR SHOWERING

Jaw surgery usually involves surgical incisions that are in the mouth. If this is your case, then you can shower, take a bath, or shampoo your hair, immediately after your surgery, as soon as you feel like it.

Does jaw surgery change your lips?

Lip numbness:This is normal, immediately after the surgery. The upper lip recovers quickly. However the lower lip is much more variable and may take time to recover. Some patients report areas of permanent numbness which does not affect the appearance of the lip or its function.

How many hours does jaw surgery take?

The length of surgery depends upon which corrective jaw operation is being performed. If only an upper or lower jaw requires surgery, your surgery will typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours. If both upper and lower jaws need orthognathic surgery then the procedure will take between 3 and 4 hours to perform.

Does jaw surgery change your nose?

Upper jaw surgery (maxillary osteotomy)

The result corrects the dental bite, adjusts the smile line (the lip drape across the teeth), reshapes the nasal profile (the tip and septum), and improves nasal breathing.

How much does a jaw surgery cost?

Without insurance, the typical costs of jaw surgery to correct an underbite can run from $20,000 to $40,000. Costs are usually lower if surgery is only needed on one jaw. Surgery involves an exam, X-rays, general anesthesia, bone cutting, bone reshaping, and jaw repositioning.

Does your voice change after jaw surgery?

As you start to reconstruct your jaw and move things around, it can cause some vocal changes. You may experience speech and voice adjustments as these can be the effects of functional surgery. The difference in jaw positioning or shape can have an effect on voice frequencies.

How long did you have braces before jaw surgery?

In most cases, an orthodontist places braces on your teeth before surgery. Braces are usually on for 12 to18 months before surgery to level and align your teeth in preparation for surgery. Your orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon work together to develop your treatment plan.

Is jaw surgery painful?

You will be completely numb on the jaw that was operated on, so there is not a great amount of pain. However, the swelling starts up immediately and there is some jaw stiffness to be anticipated. There is some soreness from the breathing tube that the anesthetist places and this soreness will also subside with time.

How long is your mouth wired shut after jaw surgery?

Your jaws will be wired together approximately six to eight weeks. This is the time it takes for the bones to heal in a good, strong union. During the time your jaws are wired together, you will find eating, talking and other daily activities somewhat difficult.

Can I brush teeth after jaw surgery?

Personal Hygiene

You may begin brushing your teeth the day after your surgery. Initially, you may want to avoid toothpaste, and simply use a toothbrush and warm water. Brush after each meal, and stay on the teeth and surrounding gums and avoid the incision sites.

Can you yawn after jaw surgery?

The mandible is the moving jaw and therefore discomfort is precipitated with increasing movement, such as chewing, yawning, and talking. Reduction and/or modification of these activities for the first few weeks following surgery alleviates the discomfort, as will the use of the pain medication and ice applications.

Do you vomit after jaw surgery?

You may experience some nausea after surgery. It is important to realize that this is not a life-threatening situation and is usually caused because your stomach is empty or caused from medications. Therefore, if vomiting does occur, remain calm, turn your head to the side, and let the fluid clear your mouth freely.

What happens if you throw up with your jaw wired shut?

If You Vomit

All the vomit will come out of your nose and mouth while you continue to lean forward. It is not recommended that you try to cut your elastics when you think you are going to vomit. Remember that everything you are taking in is liquid. If anything comes out it will be liquid as well.

How do you sleep 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 you drink out of a straw after jaw surgery?

Numbness, facial swelling and soreness can make eating and drinking a difficult task at first. No straws, spitting, smoking, or carbonated beverages for 3 weeks after surgery. No abrasive foods such as popcorn, chips, seeds or nuts.

How long take pain meds after jaw surgery?

It is expected that you will need a narcotic pain medication for a few days following your jaw surgery. If you are not experiencing any pain, then you do not need to take the medication. Tapering down on your medication is also encouraged.

How long after jaw surgery can you eat?

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.