Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

splints

(9 posts)
  • Started 3 months ago by scarfgirl
  • Latest reply from scarfgirl

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  1. scarfgirl
    Member

    Hey, I have my surgery in just under 2 weeks now and I'm really worried about the splint being in after the op... I'm scared I won't be able to breathe and also what if I'm sick after waking up? I know the doctors wouldn't put me in a position where I can't breathe - But If anyone could reassure me thatd be great!
    Many thanks!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  2. RachelM
    Member

    do you know you're definitely having a splint? It's 50/50 if you have one or not and depends on your surgeon

    Posted 3 months ago #

  3. scarfgirl
    Member

    They measured me for one the other day... :s

    Posted 3 months ago #

  4. dlue
    Member

    The splint has made it difficult for me to breathe when I don't stay ontop of keeping my nose decongested. I can't breathe through my mouth at all so there have been a few times I panicked. They will give you afrin which is amazing but you can really only use it sparingly. I got saline spray and tissues that have vicks vapor rub infused in them. Those two help enough so I am able to breathe through my stuffy nose. Just stay calm and don't let your nose get completely clogged before you decide to do something about it.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  5. scarfgirl
    Member

    Ohh, thank you for getting back to me. Are you banded shut? The nurses said there was give in the bands, but I often get a blocked nose due to alergies so I am really worried about it. My surgery is Friday :o

    Posted 3 months ago #

  6. Kyle
    Member

    I had just top jaw and I was measured for a splint but woke up without one. Just a few elastics, then after 2 days very strong elastics which basically wired me shut. Are you having both jaws or your pallet widened, if so a your more likely to have a splint.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  7. mmc
    Member

    I had a splint and was sick after the surgery. It was uncomfortable, but manageable. My mouth was able to open up enough and the nurse was pretty quick at helping me.

    I was given Afrin right before the surgery and then my doctor had me take Sudafed afterwards to make sure I could breathe.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  8. Ryan
    Member

    Some interesting info about splints:

    DR. CHUDASAMA Do you use intraoperative splints to find the correct occlusion during ortho- gnathic surgery?
    DR. GUNSON Two splint types are used with orthognathic surgery—intermediate and final. We use intermediate splints during double-jaw surgery to orient the mobilized mandible to the unoperated maxilla. The intermediate splint is made before surgery on a semiadjustable SAM articulator,* using the Great Lakes** model block to assure movement accuracy within .25mm. The model block is used because standard measurements, whether made directly on the casts or on thearticulator, are grossly inaccurate (mean 2.5mm). We do not use final splints. Our experience has shown that bite correction is not as accurate if a final splint is used. There are 13 steps in making a final splint, all of which can produce error in the final occlusion. Having tooth-to-tooth contact immediately after surgery also results in a more stable and intercuspated occlusion. Most signifi- cant, transverse surgical expansion is less stable
    when a final splint is used.

    Ryan's Jaw Surgery Blog
    Posted 3 months ago #

  9. scarfgirl
    Member

    Thank you! x

    Posted 2 months ago #

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