ORTHOGNATIC SURGERY PREPARATION

ORTOGTANIC SURGERY PREPARATION

Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that reshapes or realigns the jaw and teeth. It is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. It is important to consult with your orthodontist in the months before the surgery. It may take several years for your treatment to be completed. Your orthodontist will perform surgery when your teeth are likely to be in the correct position for surgery. You will be given plenty of time to prepare for surgery and plan your recovery.

You will see your orthodontist frequently during this time. At these visits, he or she will check your progress. Your braces can be adjusted and more records can be taken. These may include photographs, x-rays, and models documenting the position of the teeth/jaw. Your orthodontist will advise you if the timeline of your surgery needs to be reviewed.

Seeing Your Surgeon

You will meet with your surgeon shortly before surgery. He or she will evaluate your progress and finalize the surgical plan. You will discuss factors that may affect surgery, such as medications and allergies. You will also have an exam and blood tests to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. Depending on different factors, you may also need other tests, such as a chest X-ray.

Before Surgery

One or two days before surgery:

Stock up on liquid foods, you will need foods that you can consume without chewing after surgery. These include drinks, soup and milk. Foods that are easy to turn into liquid, such as bananas, are also good.

Keep a blender ready to easily liquefy food.

Have an adult family member or friend drive you home and stay with you after surgery.

Follow instructions not to eat or drink before surgery.

Ask your surgeon if you need to take your regular medications before surgery.

There is a lot you can do to facilitate your treatment and recovery in the months before surgery. For example:

If you smoke, try quitting or not using for a while. Smoking increases the risk of complications during surgery. It slows down recovery after surgery. It can also cause or worsen gum disease.

Planning ahead makes it easier to skip school or leave work. Ask your surgeon how long it will take for you to recover. Depending on how you feel, you may return to school or work 1-3 weeks after surgery. However, it may take about 6 weeks for your jaw to heal initially. It may take 9 to 12 months to heal completely.

Learn about recovery. After surgery, it is not possible to chew at first. In some cases, the jaw is kept closed (fixed) for about 2 weeks. So you’ll need to learn what to eat, how to eat, and how to stay comfortable. Any pain after surgery can be controlled with medication.

Make medication changes as directed. Make sure your surgeon knows about any medications (both prescription and over-the-counter), herbs, or nutritional supplements you are taking. You may be advised to stop taking some a few weeks before surgery.