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17 N. Washington Street
North Attleboro, MA 02760
243 Jefferson Blvd
Warwick, RI 02888
Post-Op Jaw Surgery
Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is often performed when the upper and lower arches do not align properly. Having a misaligned bite can lead to several problems, including a self-consciousness about your smile. Dr. Mo Banki and Dr. Frank Paletta of [practice_namt] want you to feel comfortable and confident in your smile. When you visit our practice, our team will help you know if you may benefit from jaw surgery.
If your oral health and function is affected by issues with your jaw that cannot be addressed through more conservative treatments, we may recommend an orthognathic surgery, also known as jaw surgery. This treatment can be used to address abnormalities in the facial bones, jaws or teeth that are causing difficulties for your everyday activities, such as eating, sleeping, speaking or chewing. The results are not only an improved facial appearance but also increased oral function and comfort.
How Do I Know if I Need Orthognathic Surgery?
Patients who stand to benefit most from orthognathic surgery are those whose jaws or bite are misaligned, leading to long-term problems with their oral health and appearance. There are multiple reasons why a patient’s jaw may be positioned incorrectly. Since jaw growth is a gradual process, a patient’s upper jaw can occasionally grow faster than their lower jaw, or vice versa. A misaligned jaw may also result from hereditary or environmental factors, such as a birth defect or a traumatic facial injury. Although orthodontic treatment can address some bite problems involving the teeth alone, orthognathic surgery may be required if the jaws themselves need to be repositioned.
You may be a candidate for orthognathic surgery if you experience any of the following:
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An open bite
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A protruding jaw
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Speech problems
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Difficulty breathing correctly
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Chronic jaw pain or TMJ issues
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Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing
When you visit our office for your orthognathic consultation, our oral surgeons will begin with a complete examination of your mouth, jaws, and facial structures, including full-mouth X-rays. There will also be plenty of time for our team to answer any questions you may have regarding your potential treatment options. Together, you and the doctors you work with will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.
You can schedule your consultation by calling our team today.
Our State-of-the-Art Surgical Facility
Our highly trained oral surgeons, Dr. Banki and Dr. Paletta, can offer modern oral surgery using cutting-edge technology. Our CT scanner and in-house anesthesia are here to make your visit more comfortable and convenient, and our team will use comprehensive X-rays and 3D imaging to design your treatment plan and show you the predicted outcomes of your surgery. Our goal is to help you fully understand your surgery before we begin treatment. Our team will also work closely with your general dentist or orthodontist to ensure you leave our office with a more beautiful and better functioning smile.
Frequently asked questions
How To Eat After Jaw Surgery
Nutrition & Home Care After Jaw Surgery
It is important to maintain a healthy diet after your surgery and to make sure you are staying hydrated throughout, especially during the first one to two days after treatment. To replace fluids lost during surgery, the only alternative to drinking water is an intravenous (IV) line. Insurance will not reimburse the cost of IV fluids.
Remember:
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No nose blowing for you two weeks after upper jaw surgery.
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Keep a two-hour suction rotation, except while sleeping.
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Make sure you get 2 liters of fluid and 2,000 calories a day.
Dietary supplements, such as Ensure, Boost, or Gatorade, can help with the healing process. You will also be given a suction machine and instructions on how to use it, which you will return at your third follow-up visit to our office. Afrin, saline spray, and nasal decongestants can also be useful, and our team will provide detailed instructions on how to ensure your recovery is as quick and comfortable as possible.
Blenders, Baby Food and Liquid Diets
The easiest way to adapt your current eating habits and schedules to the needs of your post-surgery diet is to obtain a food processor or blender. In general, food will need to be blended with a liquid to thin the meal's consistency. After adding the liquid and then the food, blend on low until smooth.
You can also buy food pre-blended, such as commercial baby food. These can be seasoned with butter and heated to your preferred temperature, but in general, they are a bit harder to customize to your liking.
Consistency
of Food
The exact consistency of your diet after your operation will depend on the specific type of surgery performed and whether our oral surgeons recommend wiring your jaw in place to help with healing. Some patients will need to stick to liquid and thoroughly blended foods, while others can add minced food earlier on. Our team will explain any patient-specific needs you may have before you leave our office, including the recommended texture of your diet during healing. If your jaws have been wired together, it may be important for you or your caretaker to strain your food in addition to blending it. We will also ask many of our patients to avoid using straws after their surgery.
Tip: When you make a blended meal, prepare more than one serving and store the extra servings in portion-sized, sealed containers in the freezer. Then, for a convenient snack, simply defrost the portion by leaving it in the fridge or running it under hot water, heat, and enjoy! Make sure the portions are labeled and dated.
Blending Proportions
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Fruit: A half cup of canned, chopped or cooked fruit can be blended with one to two tablespoons of fruit juice, ice cream or pudding. You can also use lemon or orange juice to keep the fruit from turning brown. Cherries and pineapples do not blend well.
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Vegetables: A half cup of canned, cooked or well-chopped vegetable can be blended with two to three tablespoons of the water you used to cook the vegetable with or a nice cream sauce. Cabbage and celery do not blend well.
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Meat: A half cup of cooked or cubed fish, meat or poultry (when it is not fried) can be blended with three to four tablespoons of vegetable juice, a cream soup or gravy. One serving of meat pureed will measure out as six to eight tablespoons.