Whether you need jaw surgery to correct a teeth-alignment issue, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, an asymmetrical appearance, or another problem, it can feel daunting to know that you’re heading into surgery.
Here at Georgetown Orthodontics in Washington, DC, Dr. Maya Oliver and our team want to help you feel comfortable and confident about your upcoming jaw surgery. That’s why Dr. Oliver offers her jaw surgery expertise. To further ease your mind, we also want to highlight the following encouraging facts about this procedure.
It’s an outpatient procedure
You don’t need to worry about spending a lot of time in the hospital. Most people go home the same day as their jaw surgery. That means you can expect to recover in the comfort of your home.
What’s more, most people who get jaw surgery are back at work or school within one to two weeks.
It delivers an even bite
When you undergo jaw surgery, you can expect your teeth to align precisely afterward. That means chewing, biting, and swallowing should all be easier after your procedure. If you’ve ever had trouble or felt discomfort while eating, your jaw surgery should put those problems behind you.
It can better your appearance
Even if you don’t have jaw surgery for cosmetic reasons, you might be able to enjoy some aesthetic benefit afterward. With your jaw properly aligned, your appearance will be more symmetrical — and facial symmetry is linked to attractiveness.
You don’t need to be overly concerned about scarring, either. The vast majority of jaw surgery patients have little or no visible scarring after they fully heal.
Your speech might improve
Maybe your jaw misalignment has caused a speech impediment. Or maybe it’s made it so uncomfortable to talk that you limit your conversations. Either way, you can expect speaking to be easier after your procedure.
You may sleep better
TMJ directly impacts your ability to sleep, but any kind of jaw misalignment can cause discomfort. What’s more, many people report that their jaw discomfort worsens when they lie down.
Fortunately, after jaw surgery, the misalignment that was causing your pain is gone. That means you can expect restful, comfortable sleep after your jaw heals.
Ultimately, jaw surgery may feel like a major undertaking, but it can deliver wonderful results, especially when you have Dr. Oliver’s dedicated preoperative and postoperative care to help you through the process. If you’re ready to schedule a jaw surgery evaluation, call our office at 202-600-8060 today.