Jaw surgery which is one of the commonly used surgeries today, is one of the treatment methods used for the treatment of diseases that develop around the head, neck and teeth. In order for us to perform vital functions such as speaking, eating and chewing in our jaw area, our jaw structure must be in an ideal shape. Therefore, diseases that cause deformity in the jaw should be eliminated. Both the elimination of deformities and the provision of the person's face-chin ratio eliminate self-confidence problems increasing the quality of life of individuals.
Who Can Have Jaw Surgery?
Jaw surgery, which is one of the most frequently performed operations in orthognathic surgery, can be performed from the age of eighteen. The reason why it is not applied at early ages is the risk of adversely affecting bone development. That's why, chin surgery is not performed in children and adolescents except for emergency interventions such as those which are needed due to accidents or trauma. Another exception is the mandatory jaw surgeries performed to lengthen the bones due to excessive growth retardation. In children and adolescents, these operations are decided by the pediatric orthodontist.
Lower jaw surgery and other orthognathic procedures can be performed in all adults who want to have their congenital or subsequent deformities in the lower and upper jaws corrected. Apart from functional disorders, orthognathic surgery can be applied to reshape the jaw, if the person is not satisfied with the facial, namely, chin to head ratio.
How is Jaw Surgery Performed?
Chin surgery (mentoplasty), which is performed to reshape the jaw or to improve its visual integrity in order to increase its harmony with the face and neck, can be performed using different techniques and methods. In order to minimize the risks of jaw surgery, detailed examinations and tests are performed in advance. With orthodontic assessment, it is ensured that the biting and aesthetic problems are fully identified. In upper jaw surgeries and other operations performed to increase the chewing ability of the mouth and teeth and to eliminate structural problems, the jaw is usually entered through the mouth. However, in some jaw operations such as lower jaw retraction, the operation can be performed by entering the jaw through the outer lower part of the jaw. The surgery can be applied under either local or general anesthesia, depending on the scope of it and the area where it is applied.
The operations performed to move the chin forward or backward according to the needs may take up to two hours for the lower and upper jaws each. If there are conditions such as curvature or asymmetry, this is also tried to be corrected with double chin surgery. For lower jaw surgery, an incision of about three-centimeter is made inside the mouth for both sides of the jaw. A bite plate is placed between the teeth so that the symmetry of the lower and upper jaws is not disturbed. In order to ensure bone integrity, the place where the jaw bones should be located is determined and screws are placed in these areas to hold the jaws together. The holes for these screws were drilled symmetrically on both sides of the neck, measuring approximately three to four millimeters. In time, these holes heal and become invisible.
Operations aiming to reshape the jaw are also performed apart from those which eliminate jaw disproportions. In chin reduction surgeries, the chin is usually shaped. In this operation performed through the mouth, self-melting sutures are used. Even if there is a temporary numbness in and around the lower lip due to anesthesia, the chin and all areas regain their ideal functions after a while. Besides, a more defined facial shape is provided by filling jawline in order to define the jaw line. In contrast to these procedures, implants are applied for chin augmentation. During chin augmentation surgery, the materials used for the implant are preferred in accordance with the patient's jaw structure and can be used for a lifetime without being removed again. As the jaw structure changes after the jaw surgery, it may take a few days for the patient to get used to it.
What are the Points to Be Considered After Chin Surgery?
As in every medical intervention, there are points that the patient should consider in order to recover quickly and not cause new health problems after jaw surgery. Both oral and dental health and general immunity can be protected by paying attention to these points in jaw surgery. The points to be considered after jaw surgery include:
- The patient should eat on liquid diet for the first two days after the jaw surgery, if there are stitches outside the mouth.
- After operations such as jaw cyst surgery with stitches in the mouth, liquid diet is required for approximately one week. These periods may be extended or shortened by the dentist's control.
- During the first week and ten days following the surgery, swelling, bruising and pain may occur around the chin, which will improve over time. These swellings should not be handled manually and the wounds should not be opened without the intervention and recommendation of the doctor.
- Nutrition should not be neglected due to the processes occurring in the mouth and neck after jaw surgery. A liquid diet should be started on the same day.
- Antibiotics and other supportive drugs that your doctor sees fit should be used regularly to prevent infection.
- The recovery period after the surgery may take 3 to 6 weeks. In this process, regular doctor checks should not be neglected.
- Consumption of hard and small-grained solid foods that will force the new structure of the jaw or cause pain to enter between the stitches should be avoided.
- You should always consult your dentist in the unexpected situations such as when the swelling, which occurs at first and is supposed to decrease over time, increases and starts to bruise or cause intense pain,
What are the Advantages of Jaw Surgery?
Chin surgery has many positive effects for both health and reducing aesthetic concerns. Jaw asymmetry associated with disorders such as chin shift can be eliminated. While lower jaw surgery are performed with checks and examinations to minimize the risks, eating and chewing problems are also eliminated. Individuals who can chew solid foods more easily and quickly would have reduced risk of digestive problems such as indigestion and bloating. One of the best answers to the question of why double chin surgery is done is to eat more comfortably. Jaw joint surgery can also prevent all eating and biting problems painlessly and comfortably.
The discomfort felt by those who have aesthetic concerns about the current size and shape of the chin, is also eliminated. Patients who become more at peace with themselves do not experience self-confidence problems. By ensuring the proportion of the face, head and neck, the chin shape in which the person feels best is created. Those who undergo jaw surgery can feel healthier in terms of biting, chewing, breathing and appearance. Upper jaw bone augmentation surgery is also effective in preventing functional disorders that may occur in the mouth and teeth.
In the jaw surgeries performed due to developmental delay, major problems related to jaw and tooth retardation that children and adolescents will experience in the future are solved with a minor operation.
What are the Prices of Jaw Surgery?
Double chin surgery prices may vary depending on the patient's jaw structure. Orthognathic surgery may cost different prices depending on the procedures consisting of one or more stages. Jaw surgery prices are determined by considering factors such as detailed preliminary examinations and checks, and other oral and dental disorders. You can also get support from our dentists expert in the field of orthodontics to eliminate your problems such as biting and chewing. In order to eliminate your visual concerns and have a jaw structure that you feel better, do not delay consulting our expert and experienced dentists and getting the face and jaw structure of your dreams.
* The Editorial Board of İsü Dent Hospital has contributed to the publication of this content.
* The contents on our website are for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at İsü Dent Hospital.