Can i get jaw surgery on the nhs

See our guidance for visitors and people coming into hospital for an appointment. If you think you have symptoms, please do not attend your hospital appointment until you are advised it is safe to do so. Please contact us to rearrange your appointment, or to re-organise treatment and tests. Jaw surgery orthognathic treatment.

It involves a combination of orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery, and can take up to three years to complete. If the jaws are misaligned it is not always possible to correct the positioning of your teeth using orthodontics alone.

Orthognathic surgery enables correction of larger jaw discrepancies. The surgery is carried out by the oral maxillofacial team. Your maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist will plan your treatment together. Your stay in hospital will vary according to the operation, but is normally nights. For the first week after surgery we advise a more or less liquid diet and this then changes to a soft diet for the following 5 weeks. You may require some dietary supplements during the first few days.

Blenders are very helpful and food can be eaten frequently in small amounts. You will gradually progress to a normal diet over a few weeks and should be able to return to school or work over this time. You will have painkillers and antibiotics to take which will prevent infection and pain.

However it also vital to keep your mouth as clean as possible and a mouthwash is required to help maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing of the teeth, gums and braces is also required and baby toothbrushes are advisable. It will take time to adjust to the changes to your face. It is normal to feel like this and most patients recover quickly.

Certain side effects and complications are possible with orthognathic surgery. You need to understand these before you consent to surgery. Possible risks may include the following, and your surgeon can discuss these with you.

Planning Patients are seen on a joint clinic with an Orthodontist and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon before they start their orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic Treatment Fixed braces are used prior to jaw surgery as they allow the teeth to be positioned accurately prior to the operation. Surgery Surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic and may take from one to three hours depending on the nature of the surgical procedure. Psychological adjustment It will take time to adjust to the changes to your face.

NHS orthodontic care is not usually available for adults but it may be approved on a case-by-case basis if it's needed for health reasons. NHS treatment is available for grade 4 and grade 5 cases. Grade 3 cases are usually judged on an individual basis. NHS treatment may also be available if the appearance of your teeth, jaw or face is of concern.

If you do not qualify for free NHS treatment or you do not want to wait for treatment to start, you may choose to have private treatment. Private orthodontic treatment is widely available, but expensive. After an initial assessment, a private orthodontist will talk to you about a possible treatment plan, how much it will cost and any alternative options you have. The BOS has an online service you can use to find orthodontic treatment in your area. A common complication of orthodontics is white spots on the teeth, which are an early sign of tooth decay.

This can happen when acid is produced from plaque, which builds up on your teeth and around your brace. Cleaning your teeth and brace can be time-consuming, but it's needed to avoid permanent marks on your teeth when the brace is removed. Many people with appliances find it difficult to keep their teeth and gums clean, so extra brushing is needed during treatment.