Jaw Augmentation

Jaw Augmentation Basics

A strong, firm jaw is considered a plus. On the other hand, a weak and undefined jaw can make your face look disproportionate, and it can even make people think you have a weak and petty character. Jaw augmentation is a surgery which can help to enhance the jaw, making it more prominent and more shapely.

The first step for people who are interested in jaw augmentation is to visit a surgeon for a consultation. At this consultation, the surgeon will ensure that the prospective patient is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The doctor will make certain that the patient's immune system is strong enough to help fight off potential infections after the surgery, and he will ascertain that the patient's general level of health is high enough to adequately cope with the trauma of the surgery. Additionally, the surgeon will inspect the patient's chin, teeth, and jaws to make sure that they are all working properly. If everything looks healthy enough, you'll be able to start discussing what your surgical options are.

During a jaw augmentation, implants are inserted into the jaw. These can be made of a number of different materials. One is bone. Bone grafts can be collected from your bone elsewhere in your body, or they can be collected from cadavers. Bone grafts tend to go through some amount of re-absorption. Bone grafts can sometimes take a long time to completely heal. If the bone comes from the patient's own body, there is the chance for infection at the donor site. If the bone is taken from a cadaver, there is a slight chance of rejection. However, bone does have the advantage that it is what the jaw is naturally made of.

Fat grafts are sometimes used during jaw augmentations. In these cases, fat will typically be removed from another place in the patient's body and injected into the jaw. This can help to swell the jaw, giving it a larger and more prominent shape. Some disadvantages include that fat re-absorption rates are very high, which means that the results of a fat transfer frequently disappears over time. Also, the jaw will feel typically soft, instead of hard and bony, as is natural.

Other tissues besides fat can also be grafted onto the jaw. These tissues will also typically be either harvested from the patient's own body or taken from cadavers. In some cases, the cadaveric tissue will be harvested and treated, as with AlloDerm.

Artificial implants are also a popular option. Silicone is very common, as are a number of other bio-compatible artificial materials. Silicone has been used to make facial implants since the 1950s. Silicone can be made to feel quite hard, so patients don't need to worry about the jaw feeling unusually soft.

One of the keys to a successful jaw augmentation is picking the right implant size and shape. Too small won't make enough of a change, and too large will lead to a strange and unnatural appearance. Your surgeon will help you to decide what size of implants would be best for you. You may be able to use three dimensional computer imaging software to "try out" different sizes of implants. The ultimate size that you go with will be dictated by your goals and the physical constraints of your face.

The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, and some form of sedation may also be used. To begin with, the surgeon will need to make an incision to insert the implant. This incision can be made in a number of different places. If you have strong feelings about where you'd like the incision, please ask your surgeon where he or she typically places these incisions.

One popular site is inside the mouth. The cut is made in the back of the mouth, on the outside of the lower gums. This incision site is extremely popular because it does not have any chances for physical scarring. However, there can be a higher chance of infection. Patients who have a history of gum disease and cavities should discuss this with their doctor, as it is possible that this could interfere with healing or cause dangerous complications. You may hear this type of incision referred to as an intraoral incision.

The surgical incision can also be made below the jawline. This allows for easy access to the jaw, although it does leave behind a visible scar on the underside of the jaw. This type of incision is called a submandibular incision.

Incisions may also be made around the ear. Incisions made behind the ear have the advantage of being hidden by the ear and by hair. However, incisions made in front of the ear can leave fairly visible scars.

Once the incision is made, the implants will be inserted and moved into the correct place. When it is in place, the surgeon will typically do something to secure it in place. This frequently involves sutures or screws.

Once this is finished, the surgery is over. The surgeon will close the incision, probably either with sutures or with tissue glue. Your face may be wrapped in a pressure bandage to help with the healing process. The entire surgery typically takes an hour or two to finish.

You will be allowed to waken, and your vitals will be monitored until you are ready to go home. How long this takes will depend somewhat on the type of anesthesia you received. Typically, general anesthesia takes longer to recover from than local. However, you should be able to go home within a couple hours.

Patients should be careful to avoid accidentally chewing on their cheeks, as they could potentially do serious damage while they're still numbed. Patients will want to keep their incisions sites clean. If the excisions are external, they should be kept dry. If the incisions were made inside the mouth, the mouth should be kept clean using an antiseptic mouthwash several times daily. Also, a liquid diet may be required for the first period after your surgery.

If the incisions were made outside the mouth, stitches will probably need to be removed about a week after the surgery. However, if the incisions were made in the mouth, the stitches will dissolve naturally.

Some amount of bruising, swelling, and pain is normal after a jaw augmentation. Some amount of numbness is also common, and this numbness usually disappears with time. However, an elevated temperature is not a good sign. Fever could be an indication that you've gotten an infection. If you experience elevated temperature, please speak with your surgeon. To help avoid infection, make sure to take your antibiotics as directed.

Mild activity like walking and stretching is good after a jaw augmentation. However, exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least three weeks, or until your surgeon give you the okay. You will probably be able to return to work around a week after your surgery, although you should be aware that you'll still probably be somewhat swollen then. Many jaw augmentation patients who don't wish to admit their surgery say that they just had their wisdom teeth removed to explain this swelling.

Jaw augmentation procedures typically cost somewhere between $2,000 and $7,000. This surgery is typically not eligible for coverage by health insurance, unless it is being done as a form of reconstructive surgery after a traumatic accident.