How Long Does Jaw Surgery Recovery Typically Take? Your doctor, dentist or physical therapist may show you how to do exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles yourself. Jaw surgery sometimes means that your jaws have to be wired shut for several weeks to heal. In some cases, your doctor may need to add bone to your jaw. Eat soft foods. better on its own although it can take several months to do so (this usually lasts about 6 – 12 months, but may be permanent). I also had broekn jaw and had jaw surgery. What would happen on the day when they remove the wires? Heat or cold. Although it is seldom necessary to wire the jaws together after surgery, the jaws must be fixed together during certain parts of the operation. Ask how much to take and how often to take it. Photo courtesy of Lisa Chan, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of … You have jaw pain that does not go away with medicine. Liquid meal supplements, such as Ensure and Boost, help make sure that you get protein, vitamins, and minerals. Will i be able to eat normal food straight away or it would take time for the jaw motion? Follow directions. If necessary, your surgeon may transfer some bone from your hip, leg, or rib, and secure it to your jaw with bone plates and screws. Because of the complexity of the temporomandibular joint, which has hinging and sliding motions, TMJ disorders can be challenging to treat or correct. Would it be painful? Regardless of which procedure your nephew is facing, the family should expect him to have his jaw wired shut for at least 2 to 3 weeks, and possibly as long as 6 to 7 weeks. In other cases, your doctor may reshape your jaw bone or chin. You will have to drink your meals or eat only very soft foods, such as mashed potatoes or pureed foods. The Lingual Nerve is on each side of the inside of the mandible (lower jaw). I had a very bad acident and had several facial injuries. If you have surgery, a doctor will wire your jaw to hold the jaw in place and allow the bones to heal. Surgery that involves multiple procedures may take as long as three to five hours. That last possibility, perhaps the most revolting for one with a newly bound jaw, is one the doctors plan for, at least for the first 24 hours or so, running a … This nerve passes very close to the tongue side of the fracture. ... and wire and rubber bands. Acetaminophen is available without a doctor's order. It gives feeling and taste to that side of the tongue. A broken jaw may heal on its own or it may require surgery. How long will my orthodontic treatment take before I am ready for corrective jaw surgery? Avoid chewing gum. Steer clear of sticky or chewy food. Stretching and massage. The procedure took close to two hours but remember it may not be as long for you depending on your reasons. Don’t leave the wire in for too long Symphyseal separations require four weeks to fully heal, and parasymphyseal fractures may take slightly longer. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow. For example, some jaw reconstruction requires both top and bottom jaw to be re-aligned, while other procedures involve only the top or bottom jaw. This makes it hard to eat. My mouth is wired and shut for 4 weeks. I broke my jaw October 29 2011 and it required my jaw to be wired shut and a small plate put in my chin area. Avoid overuse of jaw muscles. The joint that causes the problem is the one that joins your jaw bone to your skull. Medicines: You may need any of the following: Acetaminophen decreases pain. This X-ray shows a broken jaw. The dark angular line near the bottom right of the jaw is the fracture. The wires in your mouth are loose. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) surgery is performed to correct the group of painful jaw conditions it's named after. Its been like 3 weeks and another week to go. Cut food into small pieces. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.