South Korea has become the global leader in cosmetic surgery, especially in facial aesthetics, offering a range of procedures to redefine and enhance facial features. Among these, angular jaw correction (jaw reduction) and two-jaw surgery are the two types of jaw surgery that are common in fixing abnormalities of the jawbone. This article aims to explain the intricacies of jaw surgery in South Korea.

Angular Jaw Correction

Angular Jaw correction surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure in Korea, designed to sculpt and refine the jawline for a more delicate and harmonious appearance. The causes of an undefined, strong, or asymmetrical jaw can be divided into four categories: an angular lower jaw, a wide or thick cortical bone, overdeveloped jaw muscles, or fat accumulation. For each cause, there are different procedures:

1. Long Curve Mandibular Osteotomy: Due to the angle of the mandibular bone or the lower jaw, it can give a strong or square-like appearance. To address this, the jawbone below the ear is shaved and reduced to create a slender jawline.
2. Cortical Bone Osteotomy: The cortical bone, the outer layer of the jawbone, is removed as much as possible to maximize the frontal contour.
3. Masseter Muscle Reduction: A part of the masseter muscle, which is responsible for the chewing function, is excised to make the face slimmer. Strong or prominent masseter muscles can be due to the overuse of jaw clenching or heredity.
4. Buccal Fat Removal: The buccal fat, which is the fat between the cheekbones and jawbones, varies in shape and size from person to person. If there is more fat in this region, it can give the face a rounder appearance. Through buccal fat removal, it can make the face slimmer.

Angular Jaw Correction Recovery

There will be swelling and bruising, but do not panic. The swelling may increase for 3 to 4 days after surgery, and then it will start to subside. The swelling should be gone around six months after the surgery, but it may take others 12 months to heal. Stitches will be removed 14 days after the surgery, which is when you should do light walking to help heal faster.

Angular Jaw Correction Post-Operative Care:

1. Follow Medical Instructions: Adhere strictly to the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon. This may include medication schedules, wound care, and specific dietary guidelines.
2. Swelling and Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to the treated area intermittently for the first three days and shift to warm packs after. Make sure to always check the temperature of the pack on your hands. Wear the facial bandage following your surgeon’s instructions.
3. Dietary Restrictions: Follow the recommended diet plan outlined by your surgeon. Soft foods can be eaten from about 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, and spicy and salty foods can be eaten from 1 month after surgery. Avoid tough foods such as meat, squid, caramel, nuts, etc. for three months. But follow the guidelines given by your surgeon.
4. Oral Hygiene: Maintain oral hygiene carefully and as instructed. Rinse and gargle the mouth with prescribed mouthwash. You may brush your teeth when the surgeon advises.
5. Physical Activity: Avoid strenuous physical activities and do not go into saunas or steam rooms for a month after surgery.
6. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol for 1-3 months (or whenever your surgeon recommends) after surgery, as they can hinder the healing process.
7. Sleeping Position: Sleep on your back with your head elevated at a 30 to 45-degree angle for the first week to help minimize swelling. Use pillows to keep your head elevated at a comfortable angle.

Precautions After Angular Jaw Correction Surgery

1. Gentle Jaw Movements: Be mindful of your jaw movements. Avoid excessive jaw opening or forceful chewing to prevent stress on the surgical site.
2. Limit Facial Expressions: Minimize exaggerated facial expressions and movements to prevent unnecessary strain on the jaw.
3. Protect Surgical Sites: Be cautious when brushing your teeth and avoid direct pressure on the surgical sites. Use a soft toothbrush and follow the recommended oral care routine.

Angular Jaw Correction Before and After

Individuals seeking jaw reduction often start with a jawline that is pronounced, angular, or wide. This square jaw appearance may give the face a strong, more masculine image. Following jaw reduction surgery, the jawline is typically refined, creating a smoother and softer contour. Depending on the patient’s goal, jaw reduction surgery may also address asymmetry, bringing about facial balance and proportions. As you can see in the picture, the results give a slimmer, V-shaped appearance.

Two-Jaw Surgery/Double Jaw Surgery

Two-jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, addresses both functional and aesthetic concerns related to the upper and lower jaws. This comprehensive procedure aims to correct bite issues, asymmetry, and facial imbalances. Two-jaw surgery is performed by mobilizing haw bones by cutting bones and fixating jaw bones into the proper place. It can address many cases and concerns.

Here are some of the cases of two-jaw surgery:

1. Protruding mouth
2. Improper retrusion
3. Deformities of the Jaw
4. Asymmetry
5. Abnormal bites that braces alone cannot fix
6. Excessive gum exposure

Two Jaw Surgery Procedure

While two-jaw surgery is highly based on an individual’s case, in most cases, the surgeon will cut the maxillary (upper jaw) and mandibular (lower jaw) bones. After properly correcting the locations of the upper and lower bones, it is firmly fixed into position using fixing pins. These pins provide a strong attachment, and there is no need for pin removal. Depending on the patient, orthodontic treatment(braces) may be required after two-jaw surgery.

Two Jaw Surgery Recovery

First Day: After two-jaw surgery, you will be hospitalized for one night with the nurses taking care of and monitoring you.

First Week: Similar to angular jaw correction surgery, for the first three days, use ice packs on the swelling area and then switch to a warm pack. Make sure you are on a strict liquid diet. You can drink smoothies, protein shakes, and juice, but avoid carbonated drinks as it can lead to dehydration and nausea. Make sure the wounded areas are clean by using mouthwash given by the hospital.

Second Week: During the second week, the swelling will have subsided significantly. There may still be numbness on your lower lip and chin. You will be instructed on when and how to change your rubber bands. The new set of rubber bands should help give more range of motion to opening your mouth. Continue the liquid diet, but you can start to add soft foods such as soft pasta, scrambled eggs, porridge, oatmeal, etc.

Third & Fourth Week: Continue the soft food diet throughout the third and fourth weeks. You can start light exercises such as biking, treadmills, or light aerobics. You should be able to open your mouth wide by the end of the first month.

Sixth Week: By week six, you should be able to remove your splints and resume going back to your daily diet, but make sure to take it slow.

Follow the same post-operative care and precautions as angular jaw surgery above.

Two-Jaw Surgery Before and After

As you can see in the pictures, two-jaw surgery shows noticeable changes and improvements on the jaw line but also the whole face. It can bring amazing improvements to the appearance and functionality of the jaw.

If you are considering jaw surgery in Korea, contact Docfinderkorea. We can arrange the most suitable surgery specialist so you can have a satisfactory transformation with minimal incisions, tissue damage, and surgery time. Make a consultation with us here.