Patients & Visitors
JAW ORTHOGNATHIC
SURGERY
Patients & Visitors | JAW ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
Overview
Jaw Orthognathic Surgery
What is jaw orthognathic surgery?
Jaw surgery to correct long and short jaws is one of the basic tenants of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons are extremely well trained in this area. The success of such surgeries not only requires proper planning of the actual bone surgery itself but also a very good knowledge of the dental occlusion.
Treatment plan
Understanding of the orthodontists’ (braces specialist’s) treatment plan is crucial, so that there can be meaningful discussions and co-planning to ensure an optimum outcome for the patient. Other disciplines, like Plastic Surgery do not have this advantage, as the training is not anchored in dentistry. The sequence of treatment includes proper consultations with both the oral & maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist before a tentative plan is proposed. The patient’s concerns are carefully noted and the plans directed towards addressing this concern.
Why jaw surgery?
Most jaw surgeries are indicated when the orthodontist (braces doctor) finds that the teeth cannot be moved to meet despite the best efforts. This can be due to a larger difference than usual of the distance between the upper and lower jaw arches. There are also cases when the upper or lower jaw arches are developed in an asymmetric manner. These are indications for jaw (bone) surgery.
Standard Protocol
The standard protocol will involve a proper assessment of the patient by both the orthodontist and the oral & maxillofacial surgeon. A tentative orthodontic and surgical plan is worked out and presented to the patient and family. Such treatment generally begins with braces for about nine months to a year. At this point, the patient will be ‘ready’ for surgery. The surgery is carried out and the braces treatment continued for another year. In total, such treatments will last for about two to two and a half years.
The aftercare
Surgeries are different in every case but it generally involves a five day hospitalization stay followed by three to six weeks of medical leave. At the end of treatment, both orthodontist and oral & maxillofacial surgeons will follow up the patients for up to five years to ensure good healing and long term stability of the surgery outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Do I need jaw surgery?
 
Most patients who come to see us for jaw surgery consultation feel that their jaws are either too long or too short. We make our treatment plan according to what the patient’s objective. Not all cases have to have jaw surgery to achieve their objective. Discuss this in detail with your surgeon.
2
What do I do if I wish to have jaw surgery?
 
Patients who wish to have a consultation can get a referral through their own dentist. They can be referred to either an orthodontist (braces specialist) or an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon (Jaw surgeon). You can also make an appointment directly to see the above specialists.
3
What does the treatment involve?
 
The treatment conventionally will begin with consultations with both the orthodontist and the Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon to discuss the treatment objectives and then the treatment plan. X-rays of the jaw, photographs of the jaw and face as well as moulds will be taken to assess your case further.

If treatment is to proceed, it usually starts with braces treatment for six to nine months, followed by the surgery. After the patient recovers from the surgery, the braces treatment will continue for six to nine months.
4
What does the surgery involve?
 
The surgery may involve one or both jaws. The upper and lower jaw bones are re-aligned and fixed with bone plates in the new positions. These plates are made of Titanium and usually need not be removed. There is a short period of two weeks where patient’s jaws will be loosely fixed together to allow the bone to heal. Patients will have to be on a liquid diet for the two weeks after the surgery.
5
Are there common consequences for this type of surgery?
 
For the upper jaw, there is a chance of ‘numbness’ at the mid cheek region as the surgery is carried out very near to a cheek nerve. This usually recovers. For the lower jaw, there is a 30% (average) risk of permanent numbness to the lower lips and chin. The degree of numbness is varied and cannot be predicted. There is also a risk of numbness to the tongue but this is usually one sided if it occurs.
6
Will there is any scars on my face?
 
The surgeries are carried out through the oral cavity and all cuts are made in the gums. There is no external incisions. This is also the reason that patient’s lips will be very swollen after the surgery but this will recover with no permanent changes. The patients face will also be very swollen for the first two weeks.
7
This surgery sounds very painful.
 
As this is not a small surgery, we will expect pain in the jaws and the mouth. Intra-venous pain killer will be given while the patient is warded. Oral pain killers will be issued upon discharge. Pain is part and parcel of any surgery. Different patients have different pain thresholds to pain. As doctors we try to mitigate the pain as best we can.
8
How many days am I expect to stay in the hospital?
 
In most cases, we admit our patients the day before the surgery. On the day of the surgery, the patients will be sent to “High Dependency” ward (a sort of stepped down Intensive Care Unit) as a precaution. Most patients will leave HD on the third day and return to the general ward. The total number of days of stay ranges from four days to one week.
9
What is the cost of these surgeries in Private Practice?
 
Depending on whether it is a single or double jaw surgery, the total bill size can range from $44,000 top $65,000/-. The Medisave deductible is about $5000 for single jaw and $7500 for double jaw surgeries. These prices are estimates only. Prices vary from case to case. For young patients, if they have private insurance under Medishield enhanced schemes, the total fee can sometimes be successfully claimed. We will advise that patients check with their insurance companies to be clear.
10
How do I make an appointment to start off my process?
 
You can ask your Q&M dentist to refer you. Alternatively, you can call our clinic, “Specialist Oral Surgeons” at 62353688 or 63976638 to make appointment to see our surgeon. If you do not have an orthodontist, we will help refer to one who works with us.
To find out more information about this surgery, you may contact our subsidiary clinic at:
Specialist Oral Surgeons Pte Ltd
10 Sinaran Dr, #09-25, Novena Medical Centre,
Singapore 307506
Mon – Fri : 9am -5pm;
Sat : 9am – 1pm;
Sun Closed
6397 6638
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