The jawbone, the most mobile of the bones in the face region, is called "mandible" in medical terms. Connected to the skull joints, the jawbone moves in many directions, especially thanks to the characteristics of the joint in the lower jaw. The jaw holds a significant place for the continuation of vital activities and also has a large aesthetic impact on people's faces. Therefore, jaw surgery aims to treat movement restrictions in the jaw and correct aesthetic distortions caused by deformities. 

Jaw surgery is a surgical method applied to correct congenital or developed over time deformations in the jaw area. Known as orthognathic surgery in medical terms, jaw surgery can be performed due to health concerns in some cases and for aesthetic reasons in others. Although orthodontic treatment can correct problems like misalignment of your teeth, corrective orthognathic jaw surgery is necessary for major issues such as the alignment of the upper and lower jaws.

The operations are performed under general anesthesia and typically last about 4-5 hours.

Preparations before orthognathic surgery ensure that the patient is ready for the operation and that the surgery can be carried out more planned and comfortably. Initially, a detailed medical history (anamnesis) is taken from the patients. Any existing illnesses and contagious diseases are identified. Records are taken from inside and outside the patient's mouth.

Then, orthodontic treatment begins. The teeth are aligned and moved appropriately to be neatly arranged over the dental arch. The last wire change should be done at least 4 weeks before the surgery, and the final wire left is the stabilization arch. The average duration for the orthodontic period is 10-12 months.

Records are taken from the patients once again before the surgery. In particular, 3D tomography and cephalometric X-rays are taken and analyzed. The dimensions of the jaws are measured, plaster models are produced, and these are appropriately assembled. Oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgeons perform trials on the obtained models and, after finding the suitable position, surgical splints (metal plates, chains, hard plastic structures used to fix the new positions of the jaws) are prepared.

Your measurements taken beforehand are evaluated, and your surgery is planned accordingly. If an operation is to be applied simultaneously to both your upper and lower jaw bones during your surgery, this procedure is referred to as double jaw surgery.

After orthognathic surgery, no food should be consumed for 2-3 hours initially, as the effect of the local anesthesia may continue. On the first day, spitting and sucking are strictly prohibited. Spitting and sucking can cause stitches to open. A few hours later, blood may leak into the mouth in the form of seepage, and the saliva that forms should be swallowed. Depending on the patient's health condition, they may be kept under observation for a day. Some medications are used to cope with possible medical conditions after surgery. These medications include:

• Antibiotics to prevent infection

• Painkillers to reduce pain

• Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine for the hygiene and protection of oral and wound areas

• Antiemetics for postoperative medical conditions such as nausea and vomiting

The most important thing to pay attention to after surgery is oral and wound hygiene. Teeth should not be brushed in the first few days, as this could damage the stitches. For 10-14 days, it is necessary to consume soft, liquid, and cold foods. Protecting the wound area and face from trauma is very important. Pain and swelling are observed after the operation, reaching their peak on the second day and decreasing over 7-10 

days. Cold ice applications should be made immediately after the surgery (10 minutes every hour). If jaw expansion devices are to be used during the treatment process, it should not be neglected to use them at the times and amounts recommended by your doctor or the dentist who took the measurements.

If you have aesthetic or functional complaints about your jaw, it is advised that you consult with your specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery; based on this consultation, your orthognathic treatment should begin before the orthognathic surgery.