Appointments

Jaw Reconstruction at Liv & Harley Street Hospital

Rebuild Function, Restore Confidence

What is Jaw Reconstruction?

Jaw reconstruction (also called mandibular or maxillary reconstruction) restores the form and function of a damaged, missing, or poorly aligned jaw. Using advanced 3-D planning, custom titanium plates, bone grafts—or microvascular “free-flap” transfers—the procedure rebuilds jawbone, re-establishes a balanced bite, and dramatically improves speech, chewing, and facial aesthetics. Reconstructions may follow trauma, tumour removal, congenital deformities, or severe bite discrepancies unmanageable with orthodontics alone.

Complex jaw defects demand expert, technology-driven solutions. Liv & Harley Street Hospital delivers them—seamlessly integrating surgery, rehabilitation, and smile restoration. Request your jaw reconstruction consultation and take the first step toward a stronger bite and renewed self-confidence.

Who Should Have Jaw Reconstruction?

  • Trauma survivors with jaw fractures, bone loss, or malunion.

  • Cancer patients after tumour resection requiring immediate or delayed bony reconstruction.

  • Congenital and growth disorders—cleft, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins, severe asymmetry.

  • Advanced osteonecrosis or infection eroding jaw segments.

  • Severe malocclusion where conventional orthognathic surgery is insufficient.

Who Can Have Jaw Reconstruction?

  • Adults and older teens in good general health able to undergo general anaesthesia.

  • Sufficient donor-site bone (fibula, iliac crest, scapula) or suitability for bone substitutes.

  • Non-smokers—or smokers committed to quitting pre-/post-op—to protect flap and graft survival.

  • Patients ready for a months-long rehabilitation pathway (physio, speech therapy, dental implants).

Who Might Need to Delay or Avoid?

  • Uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., brittle diabetes, major cardiac risk).

  • Active infection that must be cleared first.

  • Heavy smokers unwilling to abstain.

  • Unrealistic expectations about scarring, recovery time, or function.

Contact Us

Get in touch with our experienced team to book your consultation.

0203 973 8800

[email protected]

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Why Choose Us

Liv & HSH London

  • World-Class Reconstructive Surgeons

    • Dual-qualified maxillofacial and plastic microvascular consultants with international fellowships.

  • Digital Surgical Planning & Custom Implants

    • Virtual 3-D modelling, stereolithographic bone models, and patient-specific titanium plates for millimetre accuracy.

  • 24/7 Microsurgical Theatre Team

    • Dedicated nurses, anaesthetists, and perfusion monitoring to maximise free-flap success (> 95 % at our centre).

  • Integrated Rehab

    • In-house speech therapists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and restorative dentists for implant-borne teeth once bone heals.

What Do We Do? (Procedures, Benefits & Care)

Treatment Pathway

PhaseCore StepsTimeframe
1 – AssessmentCBCT/MRI, 3-D photogrammetry, dental modelsWeek 1
2 – Virtual PlanningCAD/CAM guides, plate fabricationWeeks 2–3
3 – SurgeryBone graft or free fibula flap + fixation4–8 h under GA
4 – Hospital StayICU 24 h, ward 5–10 daysPost-op
5 – Osseous HealingGraft integration, physio6–12 weeks
6 – Dental RehabImplants, crowns, bite refinement4–9 months

Reconstruction Options

  • Free Fibula Flap – vascularised bone + skin paddle; gold-standard for long segments.

  • Iliac-crest or Scapula Flap – curved bone ideal for maxilla or orbital rim.

  • Distraction Osteogenesis – gradual bone lengthening for mild-to-moderate defects.

  • Alloplastic Custom Plates – when bone graft contraindicated (palliative stability).

Benefits

  • Restores chewing, speech, airway support.

  • Rebuilds facial symmetry and confidence.

  • Enables placement of implant-supported teeth (fixed or overdenture).

  • Prevents further bone loss and TMJ imbalance.

Potential Risks & Limitations

  • Donor-site morbidity (leg or hip scar, temporary weakness).

  • Flap failure or infection (< 5 %, promptly revised).

  • Nerve injury leading to numbness; usually improves over months.

  • Multiple stages and lengthy total treatment time.

Preparation Checklist

  1. Smoking cessation minimum 4 weeks pre-op.

  2. Medical optimisation (blood pressure, glucose).

  3. Pre-op physiotherapy instruction for jaw mobility.

  4. Discuss aesthetics vs. functional priorities with surgeon.

  5. Arrange 2 – 3 weeks off work; support at home for ADLs.

Post-Operative Care

  • ICU flap monitoring first night.

  • Soft/liquid diet via naso-gastric or PEG initially; gradual oral intake.

  • Daily mouth rinses; wound checks.

  • Physiotherapy day 3 onward—jaw opening exercises.

  • Follow-up CT at 8–12 weeks; dental implant planning at 4–6 months.

FAQ

Frequently Ask Questions.

Everything you want to know about Jaw Reconstruction in London Liv & Harley Street Hospital.

We use multimodal analgesia and regional blocks; most patients describe manageable discomfort, improving steadily after day 3.

Yes—small intra-oral scars and a donor-site scar (leg or hip). Our plastic team places incisions to minimise cosmetic impact.

Soft diet first 4–6 weeks; solid food often resumed around 10–12 weeks once bone consolidates.

Microvascular free-flap survival exceeds 95 % in experienced hands; implant success after grafting is > 90 %.

Minor defects may use removable prosthetics, but they lack stability and bone preservation provided by reconstruction.