5 Things You Must Know About Jaw Surgery In India

Maxillofacial surgeries have come a long way in India. While they were once patronized by movie stars and celebrities in an attempt to look perfect, they are now being used to correct facial deformities and restore physical function in average people. In fact, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences receives around 20 cases every week wherein patients seek to correct their jaw through a procedure called Orthognathic surgery.

What Is Orthognathic Surgery?

To the uninitiated, Orthognathic surgery refers to procedures relating to correcting irregularities of the jaw bone, including realigning the jaw, chin, and teeth. This helps improve the way they work and also alter facial appearance. Some of the common Orthognathic surgeries include:

• Upper Jaw Surgery: Also called maxillary osteotomy surgery, this procedure helps correct a receded upper jaw wherein the jaw surgeon makes an incision in the gums above the teeth to move it to the correct position.
• Lower Jaw Surgery: Also called madibular osteotomy, this procedure involves correcting a receded lower jaw. The surgeon restructures the jaw and chin to bring them back to their correct position.
• TMJ Surgery: Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is a condition that causes pain in the jaw and jaw muscles. Common surgeries to correct TMJ include arthroplasty and arthrocentesis. While the latter refers to keyhole surgery, arthrocentesis uses sterile fluid to wash out the TMJ to reposition the patient’s jaw.

What Are The Risks Involved In Jaw Surgery?

Like all other invasive procedures, jaw surgeries also involve a few risks. But this can be drastically reduced by seeking help from an experienced jaw surgeon in India. Before the procedure, the physician must explain in detail the process involved during the surgery and educate patients about the possible risks and complications.

Some of the short term complications resulting from the surgery involve, excessive bleeding, dental damage, infection, numbness, or tingling sensation in and around the chin, lips, cheeks, tongue, nose, etc., allergic reactions to anesthesia (nausea, vomiting), etc. These are however temporary and can be corrected with minor treatment.

However, patients may experience other serious complications like nerve damage, loss of sensation in and around the face, including in the lips, chin, cheeks, etc. Some patients may find that their TMJ has worsened while others may find their jaw shifting back to its original position. For cosmetic jaw surgeries that go wrong, the effect can leave the patient with a poor outcome leading to loss of confidence and other corrective jaw surgeries. All of these could lead to emotional, physical, and financial stress.

As we earlier said, not everyone undergoing jaw surgery experiences these complications. But the success of your procedure largely depends on the experience and expertise of the physician. Make sure you hire one of the best jaw surgeons in India.

Even when the surgery is a success, the patient may experience discomfort for a few days. This includes pain and swelling in the surgery area, difficulty swallowing or chewing, etc. Any minor discomfort is likely to last for around 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, you will need plenty of sleep and rest. Make sure you take the prescribed painkillers and antibiotics and drink plenty of water. If the pain or swelling seems to increase or does not decrease even after the stipulated time, it’s best to consult a physician for further advice.

Is It Worth Undergoing Jaw Surgery In India?

India, especially South India has become a haven for medical tourism. We now have qualified and experienced jaw surgeons who can perform complex Orthognathic surgeries successfully and ensure better patient outcomes. Some of the hospitals offering world-class facilities at a fraction of the cost offered by international hospitals. In fact, at the Richardsons Oral and Maxillofacial Hospital, a majority of our patients are from across the world visiting us through word of mouth referrals. We can provide a complete treatment experience, including the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, experienced surgeons, and a hygienic environment. And at the helm, we have Dr. Sunil Richardson, one of the best Orthognathic surgeons in India.

What Is The Cost Of Jaw Surgery In India?

The cost of jaw surgery in India varies on multiple factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the treatment facilities provided by the hospital, and the experience of the surgeon. For instance, in some surgeries, the patient may have to undergo additional procedures like a root canal, tooth extraction, etc. Any preexisting conditions like diabetes, hypertension, etc. also affect treatment and cost. And finally, location also plays an important part in determining cost. For instance, an average hospital in a megacity like Mumbai or Delhi is likely to set you back by a few lacs, whereas the best hospital in an inner-city like Nagercoil could cost you less. I have specifically mentioned South India because it has now become the hub of medical tourism in India offering world-class treatment and amenities at affordable rates. Orthognathic surgeries in some of the best hospitals could cost a few lac rupees – why would you spend so much when you can get the same treatment at a much less cost in the South of India.

What Are The Things To Know When Choosing An Experienced Jaw Surgeon?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry wherein dentists have to undergo rigorous training ideally in a hospital-based program. These specialists are trained in a multitude of areas, including internal medicine, anesthesia, bone grafting, general surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, and emergency surgery.

They have years of experience in several areas like dental implant surgery, bone grafting, TMJ surgery, corrective jaw surgery, cleft lip and palate surgery, reconstruction surgery, facial trauma surgery (including simple lacerations and complex jaw fractures), tooth extractions, sleep apnea surgery, and more. Only a select few dentists take up oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Even more difficult is to achieve a board certification. When looking for a good jaw surgeon in India, make sure he is a board certified physician. These surgeons have to undergo a series of written and oral examinations and have been reviewed by their peer community. Obtaining any board certification is a definite sign of competency.

You could either ask your dentist for a recommendation or check with friends and family if they have undergone a similar surgery in the past. I’d prefer the latter because dentists are more professionally qualified to make an honest assessment of the jaw surgeon’s skills. Finally, what matters most is the surgeon’s experience. For instance, Dr. Sunil Richardson is one of the best Orthognathic surgeons in India, having performed over ten thousand cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries across the world.

Check the surgeon’s experience and expertise on his website and also take time to do a quick Google search to make sure he has a good reputation.

An initial consultation is also a good way to understand the physician’s competence. A reputed jaw surgeon in India patiently listens to people and takes time to explain the procedure in detail so as to alleviate your fears. They are more open to offering various sedation procedures and take your wishes into consideration. A good surgeon also addresses your questions and fears you might have about the procedure.

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