Recently most people have undergone orthognathic surgery for aesthetic purposes which is also known as corrective jaw surgery. What happens is that surgery has been performed on your jaw(s) and has placed your jaw(s) in a new position.
No matter, if someone is struggling with a misaligned bite (also known as malocclusion), an overbite, or an underbite, this surgery can help individuals restore the balance and functionality of the jaw.
However, these are often followed by postoperative functional complications. But, it needs to be decided if the purpose lies on the aesthetic side or the functional side.
Get ready to uncover all about orthognathic surgery aftercare including Postoperative Care, physical therapy, and emotional and potential risks associated with the surgery.
Orthognathic Surgery Aftercare Before undergoing orthognathic surgery, one needs to have an idea of how it’s gonna be, post-surgery care, and further implications. In this section, we’ll discuss what needs to be followed after you are done with the surgery.
Postoperative Care After the jaw fracture, your jaw may be immobilized so it can heal properly which typically spans several weeks to months. In this context, we’ve penned a few instructions to help you recover with confidence. So, consider these key aspects:
Pain Management: Pain syndromes are common, for which surgeons provide prescriptions for pain medication. For example, you may be prescribed narcotic pain medication for a few days.
Diet Modification: Right after your discharge, the right nutrition in a diet plays an influential role. Other than that, include high-calorie, high protein in the form of a soft or liquid diet for 1 to 2 months.
Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene keeps the surgical area clean and prevents potential infections. Besides, it promotes a feeling of comfort. For that, rinse saline every 4 hours or more often if needed.
Do You Know?: During the study period, a total of 108,264 hospitalized patients underwent orthognathic surgery.
Don’t brush too hard, instead use a small or soft toothbrush. Post-surgery, there would be numbness in your lower lip. So, you have to be attentive and keep the toothbrush on your teeth.
Follow-up Appointments: To keep track of the process, it’s mandatory to be in touch with your surgeon or follow-up appointments to address concerns or complications promptly (if any).
Activity Restrictions: You have to be prepared for activity restrictions. For instance, you can expect to be fatigued even from simple activities. So, it’s ideal to avoid strenuous physical activities during the early stages of recovery
Even though a long hot shower can make you dizzy due to nasal congestion.
Emotional and Psychological Support Adverse incidents are of real concern and highlight the need to receive emotional and psychological support. Psychological evaluation of patients is an integral part of the assessment process.
Let’s understand with an example: There is a possibility that a person with dentofacial deformities may encounter psychological stress. Why? The reason could be restrictions, teasing, or indirectly from sociocultural preconceptions or stereotyping.
These aspects need to be investigated with orthognathic patients. Otherwise, clinicians must consider their patients’ vulnerabilities and emotional requirements.
Physical Therapy Having said that, Orthognathic surgery can cause temporary limitations in jaw mobility. To overcome that, physical therapy is advised. It may include manual therapy techniques like massage or mobilization.
As a result, it will reduce pain and stiffness in the jaw muscles and joints. In addition to these techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises may be prescribed by the surgeons. In essence, physical therapy helps patients recover their range of motion after their surgery.
Potential Risks of Orthognathic Surgery Several postoperative complications of orthognathic surgery have been reported. A majority of them can be managed through proper treatment.
Some of the risks of orthognathic surgery are as follows:
Infection As of now, the rates of postoperative infections are low. This is possible by aseptic techniques, surgeons’ excellent skills, antibiotics, and a good blood supply into the oral and maxillofacial area.
Fast Fact: Davis CM, Gregoire CE, Steeves TW, Demsey A. Prevalence of surgical site infections following orthognathic surgery reported that earlier the rate of infections was 8% among 2,521 patients who experienced orthognathic surgery.
Infections may include cellulitis, abscess, maxillary sinusitis, and osteomyelitis. But, the good news is it can be fully cured through early diagnosis and management.
Nerve Damage Injuries associated with such surgery mainly affect the inferior alveolar nerve, mental nerve, incisive nerve, etc. but it occasionally damages facial nerves. As an outcome, it induces changes in buccal mucosa, palatal mucosa, and facial skin sensation.
Although, skin sensation tends to recover over time, remember, it may not recover to the condition prior to surgery.
Swelling and Bruising You must agree on the fact that swelling and bruises are common after surgery. Double jaw surgeries will swell more and you can expect bruising along with swelling. It begins to dissipate as the swelling subsides.
Statistics: A study in 2022 discloses that the global jaw surgery market size was USD 900 million. Shortly, it is likely to reach USD 1.33 billion by 2031.
Yet, firm, swollen, painful bruising should be reported to your surgeon immediately since it can impact the airway and breathing.
Blood Clot Formation Post-surgery, minor bleeding is common, and you’ll see saliva to be bloody for several days. However, heavy bleeding with clot formation is unusual. It usually occurs due to prolonged immobility in the recovery phase.
Malocclusion or Bite Irregularities Dental occlusal disturbances occur in a variety of forms such as anterior-open bites, cross-bites, shifts in the dental midlines, and limited inter-digitation of the teeth. However, the correction performed ought to cause bite irregularities.
Relapse Relapse might include muscle-related physiological effects. These can be influenced by the direction of bone rotation, bone movement, and asymmetry between the left and right mandibles.
In layman’s language, the corrected jaw gradually reverts to its pre-surgery position. Hence, it requires strict adherence to postoperative care and follow-up appointments.
Conclusion Decisively, we can say that Orthodontic surgery is a transformative process that not only just betters your oral health but also enhances facial aesthetics. At the same time, one must understand the purpose and type they are willing to opt for. Just be sure of your decision.
Meanwhile, it is a major surgery and can disrupt your life for several weeks and months. There are numerous complications linked with it. You owe it to yourself and comprehend how it will affect your life.
Just be calm, research to avoid anxieties, and embrace your beauty!
