“What are the risks of jaw alignment surgery?”
I want to have jaw alignment surgery. What are the risks of jaw alignment surgery?
3 Answers
Risks include general risks associated with surgery, such as pain, swelling, infection, bleeding, and anesthesia risks. Additionally, there are specific risks for orthognathic surgery (jaw alignment surgery), including nerve damage, which can cause temporary or permanent numbness in the face, lips, chin, gums, or tongue due to nerve injury.
Relapse of the surgery is possible; however, with new techniques and proper planning, it is very unlikely.
For jaw surgery, sometimes a small incision (~5mm) is made on the face. Scarring is possible, although incisions inside the mouth usually result in scarring that is not a concern since it is internal.
Damage to teeth adjacent to the surgical site is another risk for this surgery. Some patients may experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems after surgery, including pain, clicking, or difficulty in jaw movement. Generally speaking, orthognathic surgery improves TMJ symptoms.
Non-healing bone or healing problems are rare but possible. In rare cases, the jawbones may not heal properly, potentially requiring additional surgery.
Malocclusion is another risk, where the teeth may not align perfectly after surgery, sometimes necessitating further orthodontic treatment or surgery.
Sinus problems are another risk. If the surgery involves the upper jaw, there can be complications related to the sinuses, including infection or sinusitis.
These risks are uncommon and can be rare with proper treatment planning and surgical techniques. Also surgeon's experience play a huge role.
Relapse of the surgery is possible; however, with new techniques and proper planning, it is very unlikely.
For jaw surgery, sometimes a small incision (~5mm) is made on the face. Scarring is possible, although incisions inside the mouth usually result in scarring that is not a concern since it is internal.
Damage to teeth adjacent to the surgical site is another risk for this surgery. Some patients may experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems after surgery, including pain, clicking, or difficulty in jaw movement. Generally speaking, orthognathic surgery improves TMJ symptoms.
Non-healing bone or healing problems are rare but possible. In rare cases, the jawbones may not heal properly, potentially requiring additional surgery.
Malocclusion is another risk, where the teeth may not align perfectly after surgery, sometimes necessitating further orthodontic treatment or surgery.
Sinus problems are another risk. If the surgery involves the upper jaw, there can be complications related to the sinuses, including infection or sinusitis.
These risks are uncommon and can be rare with proper treatment planning and surgical techniques. Also surgeon's experience play a huge role.
Jaw surgery is generally safe when done by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, often in collaboration with an orthodontist. Risks of surgery may include: Blood loss. Infection.
David Bell
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
● There is a slight chance of long-term or permanent loss of feeling in some areas of the jaws. If this occurs, it is most likely present in the lower lip, chin, or bottom front teeth.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons should know their complication rates and be competent to quote these statistics to their patients. This is the only way patients can make informed decisions based on relevant data- relevant to the individual surgeon with whom consultation is taking place. My complication rate is 1.15%. This is approximately one-quarter of the complication rate published in peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted in the US. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability but the severity of surgical complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
● Titanium (metal) plates and screws are used to place and hold the bones in the new position during healing. Initial bone healing occurs in 6 weeks. After this, the titanium plates and screws are no longer necessary. However, the metallic hardware is usually left in place permanently with no long-term problems. This metallic hardware will not set off the "metal detectors" at airports. In some cases, there may be a reason to remove some or all the metal plates and screws. This usually occurs due to inflammation or a low-grade infection around the hardware. If removal is necessary, it is usually performed in the operating room under general anesthesia as a 10 to 20 procedure.
● Damage to the teeth or gums is possible in scarce circumstances. Root canal treatment or teeth removal may be necessary, but this is also extremely rare.
● Extremely rare cases may need a return trip to the operating room for an adjustment or revision surgery.
● Please note that this list of possible complications is not all-inclusive. There may be other highly uncommon risks such as infection, limited opening of the jaws following surgery, TMJ (jaw joint) problems, a small opening remaining between your mouth and nose or sinus, and a requirement for your mouth to be closed for as much as six weeks after surgery.
● Although complications are always possible, they are rare. In my opinion, all surgeons should know their complication rates and be competent to quote these statistics to their patients. This is the only way patients can make informed decisions based on relevant data- relevant to the individual surgeon with whom consultation is taking place. My complication rate is 1.15%. This is approximately one-quarter of the complication rate published in peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted in the US. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the experience of the surgeon is the main determining factor for not only the probability but the severity of surgical complications.
David Bell, D.D.S., M.D.
