Bruxism/Jaw Clenching Post Surgery Worries...

[Lewdboy]

I'm rapidly approaching my surgery date. I'm having my lower jaw extended by about 10mm and a genie to boot (what is this technically called?).

Anyway, i have a habit of jaw clenching when i sleep and occasionally when when i'm awake sub-consciously.

How will this affect my recovery? I can't seem to find anything on this topic and i'm having visions of repeated surgery to correct mis-healed bones! Should i be concerned or not?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts and personal experiences.

[balor124]

I asked my oral surgeon the same question. He said that it's not typically a problem, since the trauma to the jaws prevents them from clenching. However, I've read other places that if you don't have double jaw surgery then it can potentially be problematic. What's your experience so far? After a few weeks, the clenching might actually be a good thing I think. Muscles and bones are use it or lose it so clenching should help things heal along nicely.

[Lewdboy]

I'm just hoping that any kind of pressure on the screws that attatch the titanium plates will result in extreme pain until the bone has healed.

Otherwise the massive pressure at which i clench will surely cause problems.

Does anybody know if they'll prescribe me with some kind of relaxant/sedative to prevent this behaviour?