Jawline surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, involves reshaping the jawbones to improve their appearance and function. Essentially, your surgeon makes cuts in the jawbones and repositions them.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Consultation and Planning
- Before any surgery, you'll have an in-depth consultation with a surgeon. This includes discussing your goals, evaluating your facial structure, and reviewing your medical history.
- Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, and possibly 3D modeling are used to create a detailed surgical plan. These images help the surgeon visualize the jaw structure and plan the necessary bone movements.
2. Surgical Procedure
- Anesthesia: Jawline surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia.
- Incisions: Incisions are usually made inside the mouth to minimize visible scarring. In some cases, small external incisions may be necessary.
- Bone Cuts (Osteotomies): Using specialized surgical instruments, the surgeon carefully cuts the jawbones (maxilla - upper jaw, mandible - lower jaw) according to the pre-planned movements.
- Repositioning: The cut bone segments are then moved into their new, corrected positions. This might involve moving the jaw forward, backward, upward, downward, or rotating it.
- Fixation: Once the jaw is in the desired position, it needs to be secured. This is usually done using:
- Bone Plates and Screws: Tiny titanium plates and screws are used to hold the bone segments together. These are typically permanent and do not need to be removed.
- Wires: In some cases, wires may be used to help stabilize the bones.
- Rubber Bands: Rubber bands may be used to guide the bite into its new position during the initial healing phase.
3. Post-operative Care
- Hospital Stay: Expect a hospital stay of a few days.
- Diet: A liquid or soft food diet is usually required for several weeks to allow the bones to heal properly.
- Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising are common after surgery and will gradually subside over several weeks.
- Pain Management: Pain medication will be prescribed to manage any discomfort.
- Follow-up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are necessary to monitor healing and ensure proper alignment.
- Orthodontic Treatment: In many cases, orthodontic treatment (braces) is necessary before and/or after jawline surgery to optimize the bite.
Summary
Jawline surgery is a complex procedure that involves carefully cutting and repositioning the jawbones to improve both aesthetics and function. Precise planning, meticulous surgical technique, and diligent post-operative care are crucial for a successful outcome.
