What is Jaw Surgery?
While some of the jaw disorders are congenital and developmental, some may be in the form of jaw fractures resulting from subsequent traumas and accidents, surgical interventions and disorders as a result of some diseases.
If we look at the normal relationship of the Lower and Upper Jaws, we see that the lower jaw teeth are further back than the upper jaw teeth. Disruption of this relationship causes both appearance (aesthetic) and functional (Masticatory) defects. If the lower jaw is forward, it is called Prognathia, if it is too far back, it is called Retragnati, and if the jaws are shifted to the right or left on each other, it is called Laterognati. This condition causes both aesthetic appearance defects and chewing and biting problems, and its treatment is surgical correction of the jaws. In all of these disorders, the defect is not in the teeth but in the jaw bones themselves.
In Prognathia, the lower jaw appears large, in Retrognatid, the lower jaw appears small, and in Laterognatide, the lower jaw appears to be shifted to one side. Whether the upper jaw is small or large will give a similar appearance, so evaluation with various measurement methods may be required.
What Should Be Done After Jaw Surgery?
In general, after jaw surgery, the lower and upper jaw teeth are connected to each other and the mouth must remain closed for 2-6 weeks. During this period, the patient is fed with liquid food. Surgeries can be performed through the mouth to avoid visible scars from the surgery. In surgeries performed with modern techniques, mini, micro screws and plates are used to increase durability and enable the patient to return to daily life and activity early.
Similarly, jaw and facial problems and jaw and facial bone fractures that occur due to accidents and diseases are treated with surgical intervention, screw and plate application if necessary, and bone transplantation (bone graft) taken from other parts of the body, if necessary.
What are Jaw Tumors?
Jaw tumors are also diseases that require jaw surgery. These tumors are usually treated surgically, even if they are cancerous or more innocent. Since the jaw-facial bones have a very complex structure and are very interrelated, it is important to detect the disease when it is young, that is, early diagnosis. The spread of the disease to the sinuses, neck, mouth, eyes and brain makes treatment difficult.
