Preoperative Instructions - Major Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic, TMJ, Trauma, etc.)

There will be a preparation phase prior to you surgery during which time your orthodontist will be completing the necessary changes to ideally prepare you for your surgical correction. This period is variable and lasts approximately 12-16 months. Your orthodontist will typically inform you when he or she feels you are adequately prepared for your surgery. You will then need to make an appointment with your surgeon's office for a presurgical consultation. During this consultation your surgeon will com­plete a brief examination and confirm your preparation for surgery. Once the surgeon has determined that you are ready to proceed with your surgical correction, several areas of coordination need to be addressed. The patient-care coordinator at your surgeon's office will then arrange a surgical date which is convenient for you. Once this date for surgery has been chosen, several appointments will be necessary prior to this date.

The following checklist will summarize these appointments:

  • Obtain a lateral cephalometric x-ray within 6 weeks of the surgical date.
  • Make an appointment with your orthodontist to have surgical arch wires placed approximately 3-4 weeks before surgicaldate.
  • Make an appointment with our office for final records 10-14 days before your surgical date. Postoperative instructions are reviewed at this appointment.
  • Our office staff and nurses will make every effort to assist you in arranging these appointments so that your preoperative preparation goes smoothly.