The orthognathic surgery, popularly known by mentoplasty, is a plastic surgery indicated to correct the positioning of the chin. This surgery is particularly indicated when there is difficulty in chewing or breathing, but can also be performed only for aesthetic purposes to make the face more harmonious.
Depending on the type of surgery change can be divided into:
- Class 2 orthognathic surgery, also known as augmentation mentoplasty: it is used in cases where the maxilla from above is far ahead of the lower teeth;
- Class 3 orthognathic surgery, or reduction mentoplasty: is used to correct cases in which the lower teeth are far ahead of the maxillary teeth.
Sometimes, in addition to the mentoplasty, it is recommended to do a rhinoplasty to improve the passage of air or to improve the appearance. After surgery it is normal for the face to become quite swollen, but putting on an ice pack and doing lymphatic drainage, for example, may help to deflate the area. In the first days the patient can not chew and should follow a liquid diet. Here's how to feed when you can not chew.
Mentoplasty should only be performed after the age of 17, which is when the face bones have already grown enough, and is recommended after the use of appliances in the teeth for about 2 years.
Once the surgery on the chin is done from inside the mouth, it leaves no visible scars on the face. In some cases, after surgery, it may be necessary to continue using the appliance on the teeth for a few months until the entire upper and lower dental arch is properly aligned.
Surgery price
The price of this type of surgery can vary from person to person, according to the degree of face change. However, the average value varies between 20 thousand and 40 thousand reais.
However, mentoplasty can also be done free of charge through the SUS, as long as the face shape is damaging to health, as in cases of apnea or obstruction of breathing, for example.
How is mentoplasty recovered?
The recovery of the mentoplasty can last between 6 to 12 months, but usually the person returns home between 1 and 2 days after surgery with painkillers prescribed by the doctor, such as Paracetamol, to relieve the pain.
In addition, it is still important to have some care like:
- Rest in the first 2 weeks, avoiding going to work;
- Apply cold compresses to the face for 10 minutes several times a day until the swelling subsides;
- Drinking liquid or pasty food within the first 3 months or as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid efforts, do not exercise and not be exposed to the sun;
- Do physiotherapy sessions to improve chewing, decrease pain and swelling, and also headache caused by muscle tension.
- Do lymphatic drainage on the face to decrease swelling.
Herbal tea prepared with laurel, ginger or linden leaves can help soothe the pain and therefore are indicated to relieve discomfort after surgery. In case of discomfort in the region of the mouth, and pain in the teeth can be massaged the inside of the mouth with clove oil, but the mouthwash made with mint tea can also relieve the discomfort.
When to do physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can be started as soon as 1 or 2 days after surgery, or secondly released by the doctor. Initially the goal should be to reduce local pain and swelling, but after about 15 days, if healing is good, you can focus on the exercises to increase the movement of the temporomandibular joint and facilitate the opening of the mouth, facilitating mastication.
Lymphatic drainage can help decrease swelling of the face and can be done at all sessions. See the step by step to do lymphatic drainage on the face at home.
Risks of the mentoplasty
Although rare, this surgery may have some risks, which include loss of facial sensitivity and bleeding from the mouth and nose. In addition, as with all surgeries, infection of the cut site may also occur.
In this way, surgery should always be done in a specialized clinic and by properly trained physicians.
