Are there any scary complications associated with jaw surgery?

Jaw surgery: All surgeries have complications and risks. It's very important to meet with your oral surgeon and discuss these risks and possible complications.

Complications: Risks and potential complications of jaw surgery are extensive but rare and not really scary. They include sensory nerve injury with resultant numbness of the skin of the face, damage to teeth with potential loss of one or more teeth, TMJ problems, failure of the bone to heal, malocclusion or bad bite requiring prolonged orthodontic treatment, need for additional surgery to remove hardware, etc.

Agree Dr. Bates: Plus possible complications associated with any surgery, such as bleeding and infection. Very rare, and with new "rigid fixation" your jaws don't have to be wired together anymore.

Jaw surgery: Sure. But rare. The most common ones are bleeding, infection, swelling and numbness.

Dr. Bates list plus: I agree with Dr. Bates list. The way to minimize complications is to seek a very experienced surgeon. Usually in a geographic area one or a few surgeons do most of the corrective jaw surgery. Search around. The more experienced your surgeon, the lower the risk of significant complications. The best surgeons for this type of surgery are board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeons.