Singapore oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform orthognathic surgery, also commonly known as corrective jaw surgery, to treat problems caused by uneven jaw development or abnormal jaw positioning. Jaw surgery is considered a safe and effective procedure due to its low rates of serious complications. However, it is important that Singapore patients are aware that there are risks involved with the surgery, as is the case with any surgical procedure. Knowing the risks of the procedure, weighing them against its benefits and discussing your concerns with your Singapore oral surgeon is essential to making solid, well-informed decisions about your care.
Among the most common conditions treated with jaw surgery are occlusion issues caused by uneven or misaligned jaws, such as severe overbite, underbite, cross bite or open bite. All of these conditions can cause functional problems, including poor biting and chewing efficiency, abnormal tooth wear, speech impediments and breathing difficulties, as well as the aesthetic issues, such as chin protrusion or recession, an inability to close the mouth naturally or unbalanced facial features. Correcting overbite or other jaw position and/or size via orthognathic surgery can resolve both functional and aesthetic issues caused by these conditions, improving a patient’s quality-of-life.
While serious complications are fairly rare, there are some possible risks to be aware of if you’re considering jaw surgery. Most common short-term complications of orthognathic surgery include:
- Temporary numbness or tingling, most commonly occurring at or near the chin, nose, lips, cheeks or tongue.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Infection at incision sites.
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Tooth damage.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Possible long-term complications of orthognathic surgery include:
- TMJ disorders.
- Permanent nerve damage, resulting in loss of sensation in areas that may include the chin, nose, lips, cheeks or tongue.
- Poor cosmetic outcome.
- Relapse of original jaw disorder.
Patients who undergo corrective jaw surgery can expect some uncomfortable issues immediately following their procedure, including swelling, light bleeding, bruising, pain and stiffness. These are not complications, but expected after effects of orthognathic surgery. Bleeding should resolve within 24 to 48 hours. Swelling and bruising should begin to decrease within 4 to 6 days. Pain and stiffness will gradually decrease as jawbones heal. Initial healing is usually complete in about six weeks, while complete healing generally takes 9 to 12 months. If these issues persist beyond those norms or you experience a marked increase in pain and swelling, it is important to call your Singapore oral surgeon to have these symptoms medically assessed.
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