What Are Key The Things To Know Before Undergoing Jaw Surgery?

Posted on 6/11/2021 by San Tan Oral Surgery

We perform jaw surgery to balance the facial structure of a patient with maxillofacial-related conditions. The end result should be having both your upper and lower jaw fitting properly. An imbalanced jaw can cause pain when you eat or talk. A jaw surgery brings you comfort and improved quality of life. Here are some of the important things you should know before undergoing jaw surgery.

Numbness on Your Face

It is normal for patients to feel numbness on their lips, chin, nose, or mouth during and after undergoing jaw surgery. This is because it is necessary to receive anesthesia throughout the procedure. After you return home from the surgery, we recommend using ice packs to prevent cases of facial irritation and relax your face muscles.

Practicing Oral Hygiene

After your surgery, it will be difficult to brush your teeth in the surgical area. However, it is essential that you keep your mouth clean and rinse it regularly. Keeping your mouth clean prevents infection and cavity development.

Use of Sedation

During the day of the jaw surgery, we will use general anesthesia to sedate you. The process may take several hours depending on the needs of the patient. There may be a lot of drooling after your surgery; however, as the healing process continues, the feeling will slowly fade away.

Potential Risks

Jaw surgery comes with some risks, just like any other form of surgery. Some of these risks include excessive blood loss, nerve injury, or infections. Other complications include jaw fracture and jaw position relapse. However, having our effective team of professionals on board minimizes these risks.

Jaw surgery is a complex procedure, but it can help to improve your facial structure and oral health as well. The end result is bound to make you more confident and happy. If you want to learn more about jaw surgery and determine if you are a candidate for the procedure, please contact us today.

About
Dr. Cynthia Colson

Dr. Colson grew up in the Metro area, attending Camelback High School and ASU. She graduated from the University of Kentucky Dental School and completed her residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital in Long Island, New York. She also attended an anesthesia fellowship program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has traveled with Healing The Children, a non-profit organization, to Bucarumanga Columbia treating patients with cleft lip and palate deformities.
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What our patients are saying about us

"Dr. Colson is amazing! She explained everything thoroughly without sounding condescending and gently but directly guides you through the whole procedure. She is excellent and super experienced. I got my wisdom teeth pulled (3 partially impacted and one simply extracted) and aside from asking too many questions under laughing gas before the general anesthesia knocked me out, I got no complications and have had essentially no pain at all." – Ana D.

Mid-age woman smiling and crossing her arms.

Office hours

Mon - Thur: 8am to 5:00pm
Friday: 8am to 2:00pm

Location

3303 S. Lindsay Rd.
Suite 112
Gilbert, AZ 85297

Contact

Office: (480) 604-2592

Connect

Santanxray@gmail.com

About Us | Dental Implants Gilbert, AZ | San Tan Oral Surgery
If you have recently been told you need oral surgery, you have come to the right place. Call San Tan Oral Surgery to schedule your initial consultation today!
San Tan Oral Surgery, 3303 S. Lindsay Rd. Suite 112, Gilbert, AZ 85297-2100 | (480) 604-2592 | santanoralsurgery.com | 12/4/2025 | Associated Words: Dental Implants Gilbert AZ |