Jaw
Jaw Reduction
In the case where the patient wishes to modify a wide face, caused by extremely large jaw bones, making the face look disproportionate, a Jaw reduction or Jaw Contouring procedure will make the face look proportionately smaller and narrower. Prior to surgery, the surgeon will take x-rays of the patient’s facial bones, jaw bones and teeth in order to plan the operation. Surgery duration is 2-3 hours under general anesthesia. Patient will require 1-2 nights in hospital with complete recovery within 3 weeks.
There are 2 types of surgery wound
1. The incision is located outside the mouth area:
The incision is located outside the mouth area: A 3-5 centimeter incision will be made near the outer corner of the jaw, cutting into the muscles, to reach the jaw bone, a sawing device will be used to remove a portion of the jaw bone prior to contouring the remaining bone so that it becomes smooth and curved. The wound is then stitched closed. The disadvantage of this procedure is the risk that certain nerves leading to the corner of the mouth may be disrupted, possibly causing the corner of the mouth to droop.
2. The incision is located inside the mouth:
A 3-5 centimeter incision is made behind the innermost wisdom tooth, gradually cutting into the muscles covering the jaw. A sawing device will be used to remove a portion of the bone prior to contouring the remaining bone so that it becomes smooth and curved. The wound is then stitched closed. This is a delicate surgery which requires expertise and experience on the part of the surgeon. The advantage of this procedure is that it avoids disrupting the nerves leading to the corner of the mouth.
Jaw Contouring
In cases where the patient’s jaw is not as large, Jaw Contouring is recommended. This procedure is used to reduce the bone thickness by 2-3 millimeters. The incision will be made in the same way as the Jaw Reduction procedure, but the surgeon will use bone contouring device instead of sawing device. This will result in a smaller and slimmer, more feminine face. Surgery duration is 2-3 hours under general anesthesia. Patient will require 1-2 nights in hospital with complete recovery within 2-3 weeks.
Post Operative Care
1. Sleep and rest with head slightly elevated to reduce swelling for 3-4 days; an ice pack will further reduce the swelling.
2. In the case where the incision was made inside the mouth, regularly use antiseptic mouthwash during the first week to keep the wound clean. Otherwise, clean the external wound twice each day after being released from hospital.
3. Liquid diet such as soups, shakes, etc. for first few days. Eat soft food for 1-2 weeks.
4. Some bruising may occur, but will disappear naturally in about a week. Numbness or twitching of the lips may be experienced for about 3 weeks. These symptoms will disappear naturally.
Jaw Reduction
In the case where the patient wishes to modify a wide face, caused by extremely large jaw bones, making the face look disproportionate, a Jaw reduction or Jaw Contouring procedure will make the face look proportionately smaller and narrower. Prior to surgery, the surgeon will take x-rays of the patient’s facial bones, jaw bones and teeth in order to plan the operation. Surgery duration is 2-3 hours under general anesthesia. Patient will require 1-2 nights in hospital with complete recovery within 3 weeks.
There are 2 types of surgery wound
1. The incision is located outside the mouth area:
The incision is located outside the mouth area: A 3-5 centimeter incision will be made near the outer corner of the jaw, cutting into the muscles, to reach the jaw bone, a sawing device will be used to remove a portion of the jaw bone prior to contouring the remaining bone so that it becomes smooth and curved. The wound is then stitched closed. The disadvantage of this procedure is the risk that certain nerves leading to the corner of the mouth may be disrupted, possibly causing the corner of the mouth to droop.
2. The incision is located inside the mouth:
A 3-5 centimeter incision is made behind the innermost wisdom tooth, gradually cutting into the muscles covering the jaw. A sawing device will be used to remove a portion of the bone prior to contouring the remaining bone so that it becomes smooth and curved. The wound is then stitched closed. This is a delicate surgery which requires expertise and experience on the part of the surgeon. The advantage of this procedure is that it avoids disrupting the nerves leading to the corner of the mouth.
Jaw Contouring
In cases where the patient’s jaw is not as large, Jaw Contouring is recommended. This procedure is used to reduce the bone thickness by 2-3 millimeters. The incision will be made in the same way as the Jaw Reduction procedure, but the surgeon will use bone contouring device instead of sawing device. This will result in a smaller and slimmer, more feminine face. Surgery duration is 2-3 hours under general anesthesia. Patient will require 1-2 nights in hospital with complete recovery within 2-3 weeks.
Post Operative Care
1. Sleep and rest with head slightly elevated to reduce swelling for 3-4 days; an ice pack will further reduce the swelling.
2. In the case where the incision was made inside the mouth, regularly use antiseptic mouthwash during the first week to keep the wound clean. Otherwise, clean the external wound twice each day after being released from hospital.
3. Liquid diet such as soups, shakes, etc. for first few days. Eat soft food for 1-2 weeks.
4. Some bruising may occur, but will disappear naturally in about a week. Numbness or twitching of the lips may be experienced for about 3 weeks. These symptoms will disappear naturally.
Before Surgery
After Surgery
