The surgical splint is placed over the upper teeth at the time of surgery. It is wired into the orthodontic appliances. The lower jaw is repositioned to fit into this splint. Additionally, it is used post-operatively to verify that the jaws do not move from their desired position. After the surgery, 7-10 days of convalescence is necessary.
Most patients report mild discomfort, but strong pain medicine is uncommonly required.
You will experience variable degrees of swelling during the 7-10 days of recovery. As mentioned earlier, this usually happens 7-10 days after most surgical procedures. Orthognathic surgical procedures last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the amount and type of surgery needed. In lower jaw surgery the rear portion of the jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion is moved forward or backward, as appropriate. In upper jaw surgery the jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered.