Jaw Surgery Risks: Potential Complications and Dangers

Major Risks

1. Nerve Damage: Most common; numbness, tingling, pain, muscle weakness; may be permanent.
2. Infection: Bacterial entry at surgical site; fever, chills, pain, swelling; can spread systemically.
3. Bleeding: During or post-op; problematic if excessive or persistent; may cause anemia.
4. Blood Clots: Near surgical site or in legs; pain, swelling, breathing difficulty; potentially fatal.
5. Respiratory Problems: Pneumonia, atelectasis from impaired deep breathing/coughing; life-threatening.
6. Malocclusion: Improper tooth alignment if jaw not correctly positioned; pain, chewing difficulty, TMJ issues.
7. TMJ Disorders: Jaw joint conditions causing pain, clicking, popping, locking.
8. Death: Rare; from infection, bleeding, clots, or respiratory failure.