Technological innovations have made their mark in the dental field as there is no dearth of advanced treatments that did not exist a few decades ago. Today, we will discuss the various aspects of an orthognathic surgery and try answering some common questions our patients ask us related to the procedure.
Overview
An orthognathic surgery is a corrective procedure mainly carried out to reshape the structure of the jaw and also enhance the alignment of the tooth. The surgery is performed by expert oral and maxillofacial surgeons and is carried out to treat major and minor deformities in the jaw and teeth. The surgery can significantly improve an individual’s chewing, speaking, and breathing. Although the orthognathic surgery can improve the physical appearance of a patient, it is mainly performed to rectify the functional problems. The procedure can have a dramatic effect on the different spheres of life which we will discuss later.
Oswal Dental is one of the leading Dentists in Pune that has some of the most experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons in their team. We have offered a wide range of advanced treatments to patients who are suffering from issues related to their teeth, gums, jawline, etc. Our goal is to ensure each patient receives the best dental care at our clinic without any discomfort and inconvenience.
What are the activities one should avoid after the orthognathic surgery?
It is very important that patients refrain from eating solid food as the mouth is very delicate at this point after the surgery. Moreover, the conventional technique to brush and floss your teeth may be a daunting task to carry out. Your dental expert will offer you insights to ensure you clean your teeth after the orthognathic surgery.
Another important point patients need to keep in mind is that they should avoid physical activities, avoid the intake of tobacco products, and alcohol as the recovery may be hindered. After the first consultation, your dentist will give you a list of do’s and dont’s you need to follow after the surgery.
What are the most common side-effects after the orthognathic surgery?
Pain, soreness, discomfort
Bruising
Fatigue
Swelling
Soreness in the throat
Bleeding – Oral and nasal
Spasms – Jaw and muscle
Numbness in the chin, lips, and cheek
Apart from the aforementioned side-effects, there are a few other side-effects associated with the orthognathic surgery. Kindly consult your dental surgeon to know more!
What will my diet include?
As mentioned previously, your gums and teeth are likely to be highly sensitive to pain which may cause discomfort. Hence, it is important to keep a check on your diet to avoid the same. In most of the cases, the patients are advised to follow a liquid diet using a syringe or a straw.
After a short period of time, patients can gradually include solid food into their diet by introducing soft food items that do not require a lot of chewing.
What should I expect in the first-week post-surgery?
This period is probably the most discomforting period after a surgery. Patients may experience a significant amount of pain at this stage. Moreover, some of the common effects may include, swelling, drooling, and numbness. Your surgeon may give you elastics to restrict the movement of your jaw and ensure the recovery process is on track. If the swelling or bruising is very severe, patients are advised to rest and adopt cold compression/ice packs to tackle the swelling.
What should I expect after the first month?
After the first couple of weeks, the side-effects are likely to subside. You will notice that the numbness has disappeared and your sensation is restored. Although you can expect a little soreness, it is far from being close to the soreness in the first week. After the first month, you may be able to eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes with ease.
What should I expect after the third month?
After the third month, the patient will more or less be able to eat solid foods again. Moreover, the mobility of the jaw will also be as good as normal the patient may feel as they have completely recovered. After the oral surgery is completed and the patient recovers from it completely, the orthodontic aspect can resume which will also improve the dental alignment and the overall physical appearance of the smile.
Conclusion
Although the recovery period may take around three months, the end result is often satisfying. Moreover, the patient needs to keep their diet in check during the recovery phase, not indulge in activities that may hinder the healing process, and most importantly follow the instructions given by the surgeons.
Oswal Dental is one of the most established dentists in Pune. We have highly experienced and competent Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons in Pune who strive hard to offer the best treatments without causing any discomfort to our patients. Book an appointment with Oswal Dental Clinic today to overcome your dental issues!