Treatment for fibrous dysplasia of the jaw, which consists of abnormal bone growth in the mouth, is recommended after the puberty period, that is, after the age of 18, as it is during this period that bone growth slows down and stabilizes, allowing that can be removed without growing again.
However, if the bone growth is very small and does not cause any change in the face or normal mouth functions, treatment may not be necessary, with only regular visits to the dentist to assess the evolution of the problem.
How the treatment is done
Usually, surgery is performed under general anesthesia in which the dental surgeon makes a small cut inside the mouth to reach the abnormal bone and remove the excess, giving symmetry to the face, which may have changed after the bone has grown.
However, in the most severe cases, where the abnormal bone grows very fast and causes a very large change in the face or prevents activities such as chewing or swallowing, for example, the doctor may recommend to anticipate the surgery. In these cases, it may be necessary to repeat the surgery if the bone grows again.
Recovery from surgery
Recovery from surgery for fibrous dysplasia of the jaw takes about 2 weeks and, during this period, it is important to take some precautions such as:
- Avoid eating hard, acidic or hot food for at least the first 3 days; Rest in bed for the first 48 hours; Avoid brushing your teeth for the first 24 hours, just rinse your mouth; Do not wash the area from surgery with a toothbrush to the doctor's recommendation, rinse the area with the antiseptic indicated by the doctor; eat soft, creamy and soft foods during the first week of recovery. See what you can eat at: What to eat when I can't chew. Sleep with one more pillow to keep your head up and avoid sleeping on the operated side; Do not lower your head during the first 5 days after surgery.
In addition to these precautions, the dentist can give other indications to avoid complications during surgery, such as taking analgesic drugs, such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, as well as antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Ciprofloxacino, for example.
Symptoms of fibrous dysplasia of the jaw
The main symptom of fibrous dysplasia of the jaw consists of abnormal growth of bone in one place of the mouth, which can cause asymmetry of the face and alteration of body image. However, if the bone grows too quickly it can also lead to difficulty chewing, speaking or swallowing.
Fibrous dysplasia of the mandible is more common in children around 10 years of age and, therefore, if there is a suspicion of developing this problem, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician to have a CT scan and confirm the diagnosis, initiating the appropriate treatment.
