Jaw Surgery

Jaw surgery is a safe oral surgical procedure when done by a well-trained, experienced oral surgeon. Nonetheless, with all surgeries, there are risks that your oral surgeon will share with you before the procedure. Facial numbness is a side effect of jaw surgery and typically temporary. For an upper jaw surgery, the areas that will feel numb include the cheeks, upper lip and teeth. As for a lower jaw surgery, your lower lip, chin, teeth and possibly the tongue, will feel numb. Depending on whether it is a lower or an upper jaw surgery, it generally takes 2 - 12 months for the numbness to fade.

Hi Yong Jia, Thanks for the D2D. If you are already visiting a dentist, you may ask him/her for a recommendation for a Dental Specialist in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery (oral surgeons). Oral surgeons are dentists who underwent further training for procedures that are related to the mouth, teeth, face and jaws (e. g. dental implant placement, jaw surgery). Alternatively, recommendations from friends and family are a good way to start. You may also take advantage of the internet to search for an oral surgeon.

Thanks for the D2D. Jaw surgery is generally a safe procedure and serious complications arising from the surgery are not common. You can refer to this question: “What are the risks of jaw surgery? ”, for the list of short and long term risks of a jaw surgery. Immediately after the surgery, bleeding, swelling, soreness and numbness is expected. These are not complications. Bleeding in the mouth (operation site) or nose may be observed for up to two weeks. Swelling and bruising should take about one week before it starts to reduce.

Thanks for the D2D. Listen to your orthodontist and oral surgeon, they know your dental condition and are the best people to guide you along the process. During the pre- and post-surgery orthodontic treatment, maintain good oral hygiene so that there are no additional dental issues. If you are wearing Invisalign, be disciplined in wearing your aligners for the recommended time so that your treatment can progress in a timely manner. If you are a smoker, it is best to stop smoking. A few weeks before your jaw surgery, do prepare yourself mentally and physically.

Thanks for the D2D. Yes, you will need to be hospitalised for at least a night after your jaw surgery. The exact duration of your stay depends on the extent of surgery and your personal speed of recovery. In most cases, patients tend to be discharged after two to three days. Hospitalisation is needed as you need time to recover from the general anaesthesia and you will have difficulty eating or drinking right after the jaw surgery. You will be on intravenous (IV) drip for at least a day after the surgery. The IV drop will provide you with the nutrients and medication you require.

Thanks for the question. Not proceeding with a jaw surgery does not bring about any risks per se, however it means that you may continue to face certain functional difficulties associated to a protruding jaw (underbite) such as: Inefficient biting and chewing Worn down tooth enamel, increasing susceptibility to tooth decay, sensitivity and other dental issues Chronic headaches and temporomandibular joint disorder Affected speech clarity Aesthetically, you may also find that your jaw/face is imbalance or your chin seems more prominent.

Thanks for the question. It is important to first find out the underlying cause of the lisp before suggesting any treatment option. The most common type of lisp is frontal lisp, where the tip of the tongue protrudes between the front teeth and obstructing the airflow. There is also palatal lisp, where one rolls their tongue too far back and touches the roof of the mouth and dental lisp, where the tip of the tongue pushes against the teeth. Common causes of lisp include tongue placement and tongue tie.

Thanks for the question. As jaw surgery is a surgical procedure, Medisave can be used to cover part of the fees. The amount that can be claimed is from $5,000 onwards, depending on the complexity of the procedure and subject to the Medisave withdrawal limits. During your consultation with your oral surgeon, he/she will be able to advise the amount that can be claimed based on your condition. The amount that can be claimed is based on the Table of Surgical Codes that is published by Ministry of Health.

Thanks for the question. The cost of a jaw surgery in Singapore costs upward of $10,000. This excludes fees for pre and post orthodontics, anaesthetist, operating theatre, hospital admissions. Jaw surgery is a highly technical procedure practiced by oral & maxillofacial surgeons.

Thanks for the D2D. Jaw surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment for misaligned jaws. Nonetheless, as it is a surgery after all, there are risks in the short and long run. The risks that may occur right after surgery includes: Bleeding – Minor nose bleeds may be experienced for one or two weeks after surgery on the upper jaw Swelling – Swelling usually becomes worse on the third day. Abrasion – As the surgery is done from inside your mouth, there might be abrasions at the corners of your lips.