Surgical Treatment to Correct the Faulty Jaw: Frequently Asked Questions

[drsushant]

What is TMJ? What causes it? Are there any ways to correct it?

The temporomandibular joint is the articulation between the mandible and the skull. The actual joint is immediately in front of the ear. You can feel your TMJ by placing your index finger in front of your ear and opening the jaw. What you are feeling is the condyle of the lower jaw. When people speak of problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), there are many potential causes that lead to difficulties. One contributing factor is stress, others include muscle imbalance, severe jaw malposition, and displacement of the normal anatomy or cartilage that lies between the mandible and the skull.

Are there any synthetic material used in jaw surgery? Is it possible for people to be allergic to these materials?

There are synthetic materials used in jaw surgery. Typically in an osteotomy we will reposition the bones using titanium screws and plates, which eliminates the need for wiring the teeth together. In general, people are not allergic to surgical-grade titanium. That is not to say, however, that one could not be allergic to titanium. Titanium has generally replaced surgical-grade stainless steel.

Is chewing gum bad for your jaw?

Gum chewing is not necessarily bad for your jaw. However, like most joints, overuse can eventually lead to problems. Since the jaw joint, or the mandible, moves each time we swallow, speak or eat, it obviously is used to a great extent. Thus, if you are prone to sore jaw joints or have TMD, I would recommend against parafunctional habits including gum-chewing, fingernail chewing, chewing on pens and pencils, and opening your jaw excessively wide to “dislocate.”

What is the typical recovery time?

Following a jaw osteotomy, the recovery time varies depending on the desired activity. A jaw surgery patient is usually hospitalized overnight. They are typically restricted from heavy activity or lifting over 30 pounds for approximately 1 month, and then they are restricted to non-contact sports for 3 months. We would allow our young patients to return to full contact sports in 12 weeks. Any surgery of the jaw also requires a change in diet. The diet is typically liquids for several days followed by no-chew food for approximately 1 month with a gradual return to a normal diet starting at 6 weeks. If the surgery requires the jaw to be wired together, then the diet would be liquids for the full 6 weeks.

Does a cleft palate have anything to do with the jaw?

A cleft palate is often associated with a cleft lip and alveolus. The patient usually undergoes several surgeries in the area of the cleft at an early age. Because of this early surgery, the normal growth pattern of the upper jaw is restricted. Thus, it is often necessary to advance the upper jaw when the patient is in the mid to late teens.

How do you wire a jaw shut?

The teeth are wired together utilizing horizontal wires that go around the teeth. This is done in both the upper and lower jaws, and then vertical wires are used to connect the horizontal wires. We also utilize arch bars, which are wired to the teeth, and then they are connected utilizing vertical wires between upper and lower jaws. We ask patients who are wired together to carry wire cutters with them in case they are involved in an accident. It is usually not necessary for patients to cut their own wires.