Undergoing Jaw Surgery and the Recovery Process

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It is most likely that the patient will undergo orthodontic treatment before the surgery. The surgery starts with the surgeon making cuts at different locations in the bone, then realign the pieces as necessary, and fix them in place with mending plates and screws. Cutting the bone is called osteotomy and in case of performing the surgery on the two jaws at the same time it is called a bi-maxillary osteotomy (two jaws bone cutting) or a maxillomandibular advancement. The bone cutting is traditionally done using special electrical saws and burs, and manual chisels.
As a rule, the mending plates and screws may be left in place after this period. Sometimes they will need to be surgically removed because they bother the patient.

After about 6 weeks, the bone pieces will have grown together in their new positions. Until that time, the patient will have to subsist on soft foods, as he or she otherwise runs the risk that the bone pieces will not grow together properly.
Other than moving bones around as described, bone or other materials (synthetic bone, donor bone, Gore-Tex) may be applied subdermaly in the facial area. Synthetic and donor bone will in time be transformed into own bone, and Gore-Tex will be encapsulated. In some cases, bone will be removed, a rhinoplasty be done, fat be sucked away (liposuction), etc. in order to achieve an aesthetically satisfying result.

Recovery from the surgery

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Immediately following the operation, the patient's face will be seriously swollen and blue. The corners of the mouth will feel stretched, the mouth can only be opened a small amount, there are a number of numb spots (particularly on the lower lip), but the amount of pain is usually surprisingly limited. The first two weeks are a very unpleasant time for the patient. Eating is difficult, and some patients have trouble sleeping. It is not uncommon for the patient to wonder if he/she made the right decision in having the operation, and they generally remain indoors. After about 2 weeks, however, patients have recovered sufficiently to take part in normal social activities. Full recovery can take up to half a year.

In general, the patient can return home the day following the operation. The first outpatient check takes place after 1 week. After the third and sixth week another checkup takes place. After about half a year, once the orthodontist has completed treatment, final photographs and x-rays are made and the patient is, in principal, done with the treatment.