Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)
What is corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Orthognathic surgery involves adjusting the size of the upper jaw, lower jaw and/or chin to achieve a good bite and aesthetic outcome.
The procedure is done to enhance your ability to chew, speak and also improve your facial profile.
The surgery is performed in coordination with orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist can help correct your teeth in right position, and Dr Ragu can correct any skeletal abnormalities that are contributing to the problem.
Why should I have orthognathic surgery?
Some of the reasons why people choose to have orthognathic surgery include having jaws that are excessively large or excessively small, jaws that sit too far forward or too far back or are just crooked, hence not allowing you to chew properly.
What does orthognathic surgery involve?
Dr Ragu will carefully cut the bone in your jaw and move the jaw to the correct position. All cuts are made inside the mouth so there are no visible scars. If Dr Ragu needs to make a cut on your face, it will be in a natural skin crease so it is not visible.
Once the bones in the jaw are cut, they will be positioned in the correct alignment and fixed with small plates and screws.
Where will I have corrective jaw surgery?
The surgery will be performed under general anaesthetic in a private hospital in Canberra.
How long is the recovery after orthognathic surgery?
You will stay in hospital for 1-2 nights. You will be provided with IV fluids and nourishing food. Once you are able to eat and drink on your own, you will be discharged from hospital. Dr Ragu will review you weekly to ensure you are healing well.
You will have dissolvable stitches in your mouth that will dissolve over 1-2 weeks. It is imperative that you keep your mouth clean after the surgery with brushing and Savacol mouthwashes. This will reduce your chances of getting any infection.
It will take 1-2 weeks for the swelling to come down and 6 weeks for the bones to have united and be of normal strength.
Pain Relief - You will be given adequate pain relief to ensure you are completely comfortable.
Time off - You will need 2-3 weeks for recovery.
Diet - It is recommended that you have a soft food diet for 4-6 weeks, to allow your bones to heal.
