When the bone of your lower jaw is rebuilt to the right shape, chewing, speaking and smiling can feel more comfortable again, and the face you see in the mirror can look more like the one you know.
Lower jaw reconstruction rebuilds bone that has been lost or damaged in the mandible, the curved bone that forms your chin and lower jaw. This surgery suits a wide range of people, and whether it is right for you depends on the cause, how much bone is involved, and your overall health.
Everything starts with a consultation. The doctors will ask about your medical history, what caused the defect, and what you hope for. You will usually have imaging, such as a CT scan (a type of scan that builds a three-dimensional picture of the bone), so your doctor can see clearly which part of the bone needs rebuilding and plan it in detail before the operation.
The surgery is done under general anaesthetic, which means you are fully asleep and feel nothing throughout the operation. Depending on how much bone is missing, your doctor may use a bone graft material, a small metal plate to hold things in place (usually titanium), or a piece of bone taken from elsewhere in your body, such as the fibula in your lower leg, together with its blood supply.
During surgery, your doctor reshapes the lower jawbone so that it is balanced with the rest of your face, then fixes the new bone into the correct position. If a piece of bone with its own blood supply is used, a team reconnects the small blood vessels under a microscope to keep the grafted bone alive.
Operating time varies a great deal from case to case, from a few hours to an operation that lasts most of a day in complex situations. Some people need several stages of surgery, spaced apart, to complete both the structure and the function.
The goal of lower jaw reconstruction is to restore structure, function and facial contour as closely as possible, not to create a new face. Understanding what the surgery can and cannot do helps you enter the process with the right expectations.
Healing after lower jaw reconstruction takes time, and progress differs from one person to the next depending on how large the operation was. The stages below are general timeframes to help you picture things, not a fixed schedule.
Every operation carries risk, and because lower jaw reconstruction is major surgery, it is important to understand these clearly. Your doctor will talk through which risks are most relevant to your situation.
Lower jaw reconstruction calls for several specialties working together. Here, the doctors plan from your own imaging, weighing both the bone that needs rebuilding and how that bone fits with your bite and your facial contour, before you ever reach the operating room.
We see honest conversation as part of your care. Your doctor will explain the options, the reasons for choosing a particular technique, and what you can expect through each stage, so that you decide alongside the team rather than simply receiving a set plan.
You are fully asleep during the operation under general anaesthetic, so you feel nothing. Afterward, pain and swelling around the jaw are normal in the first few days and are managed with medication as your doctor directs.
Yes. There will be a scar at the surgical site, and if the bone graft is taken from elsewhere, such as your lower leg, there will be a scar there too. Your doctor tries to place the incision as discreetly as possible, and scars usually fade over time, though they do not disappear completely.
This depends on the size of the operation and the nature of your job. Many people need at least a few weeks, and heavy work may need longer. Your doctor will give you a timeframe that fits your situation closely.
The goal is to restore your facial contour as closely as possible to how it was before. How natural it looks depends on the size of the defect and the technique used. Your doctor will talk honestly with you about what can be achieved in your particular case.
Most people begin with liquid food, then soft food, and gradually widen their diet as the bone heals and grows firm. Some people need a further step of dental restoration to chew better. How well you eat later on depends on your individual case.
Operating time varies from a few hours to most of a day in complex cases. You will stay in hospital for a few days for close monitoring afterward. The exact number of days depends on your operation and will be discussed with you by the team beforehand.
Age on its own is not the deciding factor. What matters more is whether your overall health allows you to go through a long operation under anaesthetic. Your doctor will assess the whole picture before advising you.
You might. Many cases are carried out in several stages to complete both the structure and the function, or need additional steps later on. Your doctor will outline the expected path for you from the start.
Depending on your case, your doctor may use a bone graft material, a metal plate to hold things in place, or a piece of bone taken from elsewhere in your body along with its blood supply. The specific choice will be discussed based on your defect.
Every plan begins with a private consultation. Book a consultation to find out if this is right for you.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.