Upper Jaw Surgery

After your upper jaw surgery, you will be in recovery for a few hours. You will be monitored closely during this time. Once you are awake and alert, you can go home. Most people feel some pain and discomfort after surgery. This is normal and can be managed with pain medication. You will also have some swelling. This usually peaks after two to three days and then starts to go down. It can take up to six weeks for the swelling to completely go away.

You can expect to miss a few days of work or school. Most people take off for one to two weeks. You may need more time off if your job is physically demanding. You must also avoid flying for at least two weeks after surgery. This is because the change in air pressure can cause pain and swelling. You will also need to take it easy for a few days and avoid strenuous activities and exercise, such as heavy lifting.

The first step in upper jaw surgery is to create a surgical plan. This plan is created using diagnostic records, which may include dental x-rays, photographs, and models of the teeth. The surgeon will use these records to map out the precise movements that need to be made to correct your dental and skeletal irregularities. Upper jaw surgery is usually performed under general or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.

The specifics of corrective upper jaw surgery will be determined by your surgeon based on your individual needs. In some cases, only the bone is cut and repositioned. In other cases, the bone and soft tissue are both cut and repositioned. Once the bones are in place, they will be held together with titanium screws and plates. Sometimes, the lower jaw may also need to be moved into place. Finally, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches.