Orthognathic procedure, or jaw surgery, is expected to treat misplaced teeth or other facial issues. Moreover, many who want to consider it have the question, How Long After Jaw Surgery Can You Open Your Mouth? Although the healing process is slow, it requires patience with appropriate aftercare to recover fully.
How Long After Jaw Surgery Can You Open Your Mouth?
You must be aware of the whole healing process after the operation. Therefore, the following stages will help you understand How Long After Jaw Surgery Can You Open Your Mouth.
Immediate Recovery: The First Few Days:
The patients may find it challenging to resume basic activities such as eating, talking, and mouth opening immediately after the procedure. Still, the first several days are pretty crucial for recovery. For the first 48 to 72 hours following the procedure, your face muscles most likely swell, ache, and feel tight. Usually, the operator employs elastics or even wires to keep the lips in place and prevent movement.
1 to 2 Weeks Gradual Healing Begins:
Usually, the swelling decreases by the end of the first week, and you can feel better. The lips and gums will still be sore, though. Depending on how well you are recovering, your surgeon may loosen or remove the elastics during your follow-up visits.
By now, light motions will begin. Usually, doctors advise you to utilize little devices or instruments to expand it somewhat. Still, do not expect to be completely open just yet. This process takes time; try to force it too soon, and you risk damage.
3 to 6 Weeks Regaining Function:
Usually, around the 3—to 6-week mark, patients find significant changes in their capability. You might be able to open your mouth a little, but it will still take some time to recover completely. Your doctor or physical therapist could advise particular exercises to help you move them more quickly and feel less stiff. Maintaining them from becoming stiff depends much on these movements.
Full Mouth Opening in 8 to 12 Weeks After Procedure:
Most people can practically open their jaws eight to twelve weeks. They will be solid enough to do daily tasks, including yawning, chewing, and speaking. However, it’s crucial to keep working on the exercises your surgeon advised since complete healing could take many months, depending on the damage done during surgery.
Though you might feel good, you should still be cautious not to strain your jaw by biting into hard items or opening your mouth too wide. Now, regular follow-up visits are pretty crucial to ensure you are recovering correctly and that no issues surface.
Factors Affecting Recovery Time:
Every patient recovers at a different pace depending on several factors, including
- Intrusive procedures like double and single-jaw operations heal slower.
- Age and health significantly influence recovery speed.
- Post-operative guidelines include completing the motions, observing diet, and relaxing.
- Opening the mouth depends on the surgeon’s method of removing or loosening the elastics or wires.
- Rare complications like infections or poor repair can prolong recovery.
Helpful Tips for Speeding Up Recovery:
Though it takes time to improve, the following practices will enable you to open your mouth more rapidly and comfortably:
- Particularly about jaw motions and what you eat, follow exactly what your surgeon advises.
- Eat soft meals, including soups, smoothies, and mashed potatoes, to help them from getting sore.
- Sip lots of water to enable your body to repair and lower swelling.
- Your doctor advises you to gently open your mouth, so follow her directions. However, avoid pushing yourself too hard. Try too hard, and you may encounter setbacks.
- Keep your follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure your healing is correct.
Final Thoughts:
Recovering from jaw surgery depends much on patience. Your mouth won’t be completely open straight after the procedure. Recovering complete function requires consistent effort over time and following advice from your doctor. Although the precise period can vary depending on the patient, most patients can open their mouths totally in 8 to 12 weeks. During your rehabilitation, be patient and follow the activities the surgeon advises to enable you to heal totally and naturally.
If you want safe jaw surgery from expert surgeons, continuous post-surgery support, and the best result, book your appointment at Dynamic Clinic PK today.
