Found on both sides of the mouth for some of us, cheek dimples are considered attractive and ‘genetically dominant’. Around 37 percent of the population are having cheek dimples (in a study of 2300 people).
Cheek dimples are caused by a change in a particular facial muscle called zygomaticus major. Genetics too play an important part for a face to have dimples, which can develop over a lifetime and also disappear.

Cheek Dimples

Health

Cheek dimples are associated with beauty and some cultures consider it a sign of good luck. They also help us communicate better and recognize the intensity of facial gestures in a person.
Some people also opt for surgery to get these cheek bends, something called dimpleplasty.

Dimples Are Attractive

<figure><picture class="css-16pk1is"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Female_Smilling_Dimples_1296x728-header-1296x728.jpg?w=1575 750w" media="(min-width: 1190px)"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Female_Smilling_Dimples_1296x728-header-1296x728.jpg?w=1575 750w" media="(min-width: 990px)"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Female_Smilling_Dimples_1296x728-header-1296x728.jpg?w=1845 879w" media="(min-width: 768px)"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Female_Smilling_Dimples_1296x728-header-1296x728.jpg?w=1155&amp;h=1528" alt="cheek dimples" width="690" height="388"></picture><figcaption dir="auto">Share on Pinterest</figcaption></figure>Dimples are small indentations that can be found on your skin. They can occur on different places of the body, including the cheeks, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cleft-chin" dir="ltr">chin</a>, and lower back.Cheek dimples can be found on the sides of the mouth. You can have a dimple on both sides of your mouth or on just one side. You’ve probably noticed that some people have cheek dimples and others don’t. That’s because cheek dimples are formed by differences in the muscles and skin of the face. They’re often believed to be inherited in a genetically dominant way, although there’s some debate about this. So how many people have dimples? While the prevalence of dimples may vary by population, one study of over 2,300 people found that about <a rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8c3a/9b16153bbd346d9edeae261ccb2f1fce4a9d.pdf" dir="ltr">37 percent</a> of participants had cheek dimples. Continue reading to discover more.<div><a name="how-cheek-dimples-form">How cheek dimples form</a></div>Dimples are sometimes caused by a change in a facial muscle called the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/zygomaticus-major-muscle" dir="ltr">zygomaticus major</a>. This muscle is involved in facial expression. It’s the one that helps to raise the corners of your mouth when you smile.In people without dimples, the zygomaticus major muscle usually begins at a bone in your cheek called the zygomatic bone. It then runs downward, connecting to the corner of your mouth.In people with dimples, the zygomaticus major may divide into two separate bundles of muscle on its way down to the mouth. One bundle connects at the corner of the mouth. The other bundle connects below the corner of the mouth and is also tethered to the skin above it. This split in the muscle can be referred to as a double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle. Movement of the skin over the double zygomaticus major muscle when you smile causes the dimple to form.Because cheek dimples can result from a muscular variation that occurs during fetal development, they’re sometimes mistakenly referred to as a birth defect. It’s important to remember that not only are cheek dimples rather common, but they also don’t have any negative health effects. <div><a name="genetics">The genetics</a></div>You <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-will-my-baby-look-like" dir="ltr">inherit</a> one set of genes from your mother and another from your father. Most genes have at least two variations, which are called alleles. Alleles can be dominant or recessive. Dominant traits are exactly that — they tend to “dominate” over recessive traits. If both parents display a dominant trait, the chances that their child will also display that same trait are very high.<h3>What does this mean for cheek dimples?</h3>It’s often said that cheek dimples are an inherited dominant trait. However, very little research has actually been done into the actual genetics of cheek dimples. It is not known if dimples are truly inherited or not.People with cheek dimples do tend to have children with cheek dimples. This suggests that it’s a heritable dominant trait. However, not every couple with dimples has a child with dimples.Additionally, while some individuals may have dimples for their entire life, in others dimples can actually change over time. Someone with dimples as a child may not have them as an adult. Additionally, a child born without dimples may develop them later on in their childhood.Because the inheritance pattern of cheek dimples can be unpredictable, some researchers classify them as an irregular dominant trait. This means that cheek dimples are often, but not always, inherited as a dominant trait. Also, dimple inheritance may not be as simple as one set of alleles. Multiple genes could actually influence cheek dimples. More research would need to be done to find the actual answer.<div><a name="are-dimples-attractive">Are dimples considered attractive?</a></div>If you were to ask a group of people if they found dimples attractive, you’d probably get a large variety of answers or opinions. Some may say that dimples make people look more youthful or approachable.Dimples are indeed associated with beauty and even good luck in some <hl-trusted-source source="PubMed Central" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5955629/" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" dir="ltr">cultures</a></hl-trusted-source>. But what does research say about the perception of dimples? There’s actually a limited amount of studies on this subject. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0049791" dir="ltr">One study</a> found that men preferred women with facial traits similar to their own, including eye color, hair color, and chin dimples. Cheek dimples weren’t evaluated in the study, but perhaps people with dimples prefer other people with dimples.Dimples may also help us communicate with others. A <hl-trusted-source source="PubMed Central" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" dir="ltr"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2238342/" dir="ltr">study</a></hl-trusted-source> on human facial features suggests that the presence of features such as a dimple may make an expression or smile more noticeable, or may convey more information about the intensity of a person’s expression.<div><a name="how-to-get-cheek-dimples">What if you want cheek dimples?</a></div>Do you want cheek dimples even though you don’t have them? There’s now a type of plastic surgery available that creates cheek dimples. It’s called a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dimpleplasty" dir="ltr">dimpleplasty</a>.During dimpleplasty, a small incision is made at the site where the dimple will be. Then, a small amount of tissue is carefully removed. A small stitch, called a sling, is passed through the skin and muscle on either side of the area. This brings the skin and muscle together and creates the dimple. If you’re interested in this procedure, set up an appointment with a plastic surgeon to talk about the benefits and risks.<div><a name="takeaway">The bottom line</a></div>Cheek dimples may result from a difference in the structure of one of the muscles in your face. They’re likely a genetic trait, although the specifics of how they’re inherited still aren’t clear. Many people may find cheek dimples to be cute or attractive. However, the scientific reasons why aren’t completely known. People who want cheek dimples can now have them created via plastic surgery. If you’re considering dimpleplasty, be sure to speak to your doctor and weigh the potential risks and benefits beforehand.<div>ADVERTISEMENT</div><div>BOTA -- Plant-Powered Skincare with CBD</div>BOTA is on a mission to provide gentle, yet effective skincare that’s free of harsh chemicals. Combined with the power of CBD, our Nightly Defense Creme is meant to leave your skin looking and feeling its best. Use code HEALTHLINE for 15% off OverviewThe maxilla is the bone that forms your upper jaw. The right and left halves of the maxilla are irregularly shaped bones that fuse together in the middle of the skull, below the nose, in an area known as the intermaxillary suture. The <a href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/maxilla" dir="ltr">maxilla</a> is a major bone of the face. It’s also part of the following structures of your skull:<UL><LI>the upper jawbone, which includes the hard palate at the front of your mouth</LI><LI>the lower part of your eye sockets</LI><LI>the lower parts and sides of your sinus and nasal cavities</LI></UL>The maxilla is also fused together with other important bones in the skull, including:<UL><LI>the frontal bone, which makes contact with bones in the nose</LI><LI>the zygomatic bones, or cheek bones</LI><LI>the palatine bones, which make up part of the hard palate</LI><LI>the nasal bone, which makes up the bridge of your nose</LI><LI>the bones that hold your dental alveoli, or tooth sockets </LI><LI>the bony part of your nasal septum</LI></UL>The maxilla has several main functions, including:<UL><LI>holding the top teeth in place</LI><LI>making the skull less heavy</LI><LI>increasing the volume and depth of your voice</LI></UL><div><a name="function"> What does the maxilla bone do?</a></div>The maxilla is part of an area of your skull called the viscerocranium. Think of it as the facial part of your skull. The viscerocranium contains bones and muscles that take part in many important bodily functions, such as chewing, speaking, and breathing. This area contains many important nerves and shields the eyes, brain, and other organs during facial injuries. Many facial muscles are connected to the maxilla on both its inner and outer surfaces. These muscles allow you to chew, smile, frown, make faces, and do other important functions. Some of these muscles include:<UL><LI>buccinator: a cheek muscle that helps you whistle, smile, and keep food positioned in your mouth when you chew </LI><LI>zygomaticus: another cheek muscle that helps raise the edges of your mouth when you smile; in some cases, dimples form on the skin above it </LI><LI>masseter: an important muscle that aids in chewing by opening and closing your jaw</LI></UL><div><a name="maxilla-fracture"> What happens if the maxilla is fractured?</a></div>A maxilla fracture happens when the maxilla becomes cracked or broken. This often happens due to injuries to the face, such as from falling, a car accident, getting punched, or running into an object. These injuries can be significant. Maxilla fractures and other fractures that occur to the front of the face are also known as mid-face fractures. These can be categorized using a system called <hl-trusted-source source="PubMed Central" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556744/" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Le Fort classification</a></hl-trusted-source>:<UL><LI>Le Fort I: The fracture occurs in a line above and across the upper lip, separating the teeth from the maxilla, and involving the lower portion of the nasal passages.</LI><LI>Le Fort II: This is a triangular-shaped fracture that involves the teeth at the base and the bridge of the nose at its upper point, as well as the eye sockets and nasal bones.</LI><LI>Le Fort III: The fracture occurs across the bridge of the nose, through the eye sockets, and out toward the side of the face. This is the most severe type of facial fracture, often resulting from major trauma to the face.</LI></UL>Possible symptoms of a maxilla fracture can include:<UL><LI>numbness around your upper jaw</LI><LI>having trouble chewing, speaking, or eating</LI><LI>pain in your upper lip and jaw when you chew, speak, or eat</LI><LI>loose teeth or teeth falling out</LI></UL>Possible complications of an untreated maxilla fracture can include:<UL><LI>losing the ability to chew, speak, or eat normally</LI><LI>permanent numbness, weakness, or pain in your jaw</LI><LI>having trouble smelling or tasting</LI><LI>having trouble breathing through your nose</LI><LI>brain or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy" dir="ltr">nerve damage</a> from trauma to the head</LI></UL><div><a name="surgery"> What surgery can be done on the maxilla?</a></div>A maxilla surgery may be done if your maxilla or the surrounding bones are fractured, broken, or injured in some way. Your doctor may recommend alternatives if the fracture isn’t serious enough to require surgery and will heal on its own. In this case, you may need to simply eat soft foods to allow your jaw to heal and see your doctor frequently for check-ups to monitor the maxilla’s healing.If your doctor does recommend surgery for a fractured maxilla and other bones, your procedure will typically consist of the following steps:<OL><LI>Receive preliminary blood and health tests, including a physical examination. You will need X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRIs. You will also need to sign a consent form.</LI><LI>Arrive at the hospital and be admitted. Make sure you’ve planned for time off according to your doctor’s recommendations. </LI><LI>Change into a hospital gown. You will wait in the preoperative area and meet with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before going into surgery. You will be hooked up to an intravenous (IV) line. In the operating room, you will receive general anesthesia.</LI></OL>Depending on the severity of your injuries, a wide range of surgical repair may be required. Your doctors will describe in detail the type of surgery you need, the procedures involved, recovery time, and follow-up. The extent of injuries, type of surgery, and other medical complications determine how long you stay in the hospital after surgery. Depending on the extent of injury to your face, head, mouth, teeth, eyes, or nose, you may need a variety of specialists including, eye surgeons, oral surgeons, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, or ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeons. Surgery can last many hours depending on how severe the fractures are. You may also need to have multiple surgeries depending on your injuries.Bones take a long time to heal. Depending on your injuries, it may take two to four months or more. Your doctor will determine when and how frequently they want to see you after surgery and once you are home. During the healing process, do the following to make sure your jaw heals well:<UL><LI>Follow any meal plan your doctor gives you to ensure your jaw doesn’t get strained by chewing hard or tough foods.</LI><LI>Follow specific instructions about activity.</LI><LI>Follow specific instructions about wound care and promoting healing, including when to return for checkups.</LI><LI>Take any antibiotics or medications your doctor prescribes for pain and infections.</LI><LI>Don’t go back to work, school, or other normal responsibilities until your doctor says it’s okay.</LI><LI>Don’t do any intense exercise.</LI><LI>Don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake.</LI></UL><div><a name="outlook"> Outlook</a></div>Your maxilla is a crucial bone in your skull’s structure and enables many basic functions, such as chewing and smiling. If it’s fractured, it can affect many other important bones around it and keep you from accomplishing even simple daily tasks.Maxilla surgery is a safe procedure with a high success rate. If you experience any trauma to your face or head, see your doctor right away. Getting an evaluation of any injuries early on is important for proper healing. Following all your doctor’s instructions for treating any fractures of the maxilla is the best way to ensure a positive outcome.<div>HEALTHLINE NEWSLETTER</div><div>Get our twice weekly wellness email</div>To inspire you to exercise and eat well, we’ll send you our top health tips and stories, plus must-read news.<div><button type="submit">SIGN UP NOW</button></div>

Cheek dimples occur due to a change in a particular facial muscle. There is some genetic component to cheek dimples, but it's not entirely clear why some people have them and other don't. A plastic surgery procedure, called a dimpleplasty, can achieve the look of dimples if you weren't born with them.

Dimples are small indentations that can be found on your skin. They can occur on different places of the body, including the cheeks, <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cleft-chin">chin </a>, and lower back.

Cheek dimples can be found on the sides of the mouth. You can have a dimple on both sides of your mouth or on just one side.

You’ve probably noticed that some people have cheek dimples and others don’t. That’s because cheek dimples are formed by differences in the muscles and skin of the face.

They’re often believed to be inherited in a genetically dominant way, although there’s some debate about this.

So how many people have dimples? While the prevalence of dimples may vary by population, one study of over 2,300 people found that about <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" dir="ltr" href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8c3a/9b16153bbd346d9edeae261ccb2f1fce4a9d.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">37 percent </a>of participants had cheek dimples. Continue reading to discover more.

Dimples are sometimes caused by a change in a facial muscle called the <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/zygomaticus-major-muscle">zygomaticus major </a>. This muscle is involved in facial expression. It’s the one that helps to raise the corners of your mouth when you smile.

In people without dimples, the zygomaticus major muscle usually begins at a bone in your cheek called the zygomatic bone. It then runs downward, connecting to the corner of your mouth.

In people with dimples, the zygomaticus major may divide into two separate bundles of muscle on its way down to the mouth. One bundle connects at the corner of the mouth. The other bundle connects below the corner of the mouth and is also tethered to the skin above it.

This split in the muscle can be referred to as a double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle. Movement of the skin over the double zygomaticus major muscle when you smile causes the dimple to form.

Because cheek dimples can result from a muscular variation that occurs during fetal development, they’re sometimes mistakenly referred to as a birth defect.

It’s important to remember that not only are cheek dimples rather common, but they also don’t have any negative health effects.

You <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-will-my-baby-look-like">inherit </a>one set of genes from your mother and another from your father. Most genes have at least two variations, which are called alleles. Alleles can be dominant or recessive.

Dominant traits are exactly that — they tend to “dominate” over recessive traits. If both parents display a dominant trait, the chances that their child will also display that same trait are very high.

It’s often said that cheek dimples are an inherited dominant trait. However, very little research has actually been done into the actual genetics of cheek dimples. It is not known if dimples are truly inherited or not.

People with cheek dimples do tend to have children with cheek dimples. This suggests that it’s a heritable dominant trait. However, not every couple with dimples has a child with dimples.

Additionally, while some individuals may have dimples for their entire life, in others dimples can actually change over time. Someone with dimples as a child may not have them as an adult. Additionally, a child born without dimples may develop them later on in their childhood.

Because the inheritance pattern of cheek dimples can be unpredictable, some researchers classify them as an irregular dominant trait. This means that cheek dimples are often, but not always, inherited as a dominant trait.

Also, dimple inheritance may not be as simple as one set of alleles. Multiple genes could actually influence cheek dimples. More research would need to be done to find the actual answer.

If you were to ask a group of people if they found dimples attractive, you’d probably get a large variety of answers or opinions. Some may say that dimples make people look more youthful or approachable.

Dimples are indeed associated with beauty and even good luck in some <hl-trusted-source dir="ltr" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" source="PubMed Central"><a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" dir="ltr" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5955629/" rel="noopener noreferrer">cultures </a> </hl-trusted-source>

. But what does research say about the perception of dimples? There’s actually a limited amount of studies on this subject.

<a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" dir="ltr" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0049791" rel="noopener noreferrer">One study </a>found that men preferred women with facial traits similar to their own, including eye color, hair color, and chin dimples. Cheek dimples weren’t evaluated in the study, but perhaps people with dimples prefer other people with dimples.

Dimples may also help us communicate with others. A <hl-trusted-source dir="ltr" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" source="PubMed Central"><a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" dir="ltr" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2238342/" rel="noopener noreferrer">study </a> </hl-trusted-source>

on human facial features suggests that the presence of features such as a dimple may make an expression or smile more noticeable, or may convey more information about the intensity of a person’s expression.

Do you want cheek dimples even though you don’t have them? There’s now a type of plastic surgery available that creates cheek dimples. It’s called a <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dimpleplasty">dimpleplasty </a>.

During dimpleplasty, a small incision is made at the site where the dimple will be. Then, a small amount of tissue is carefully removed. A small stitch, called a sling, is passed through the skin and muscle on either side of the area. This brings the skin and muscle together and creates the dimple.

If you’re interested in this procedure, set up an appointment with a plastic surgeon to talk about the benefits and risks.

Cheek dimples may result from a difference in the structure of one of the muscles in your face. They’re likely a genetic trait, although the specifics of how they’re inherited still aren’t clear.

Many people may find cheek dimples to be cute or attractive. However, the scientific reasons why aren’t completely known.

People who want cheek dimples can now have them created via plastic surgery. If you’re considering dimpleplasty, be sure to speak to your doctor and weigh the potential risks and benefits beforehand.

BOTA is on a mission to provide gentle, yet effective skincare that’s free of harsh chemicals. Combined with the power of CBD, our Nightly Defense Creme is meant to leave your skin looking and feeling its best. Use code HEALTHLINE for 15% off

The maxilla is the bone that forms your upper jaw. The right and left halves of the maxilla are irregularly shaped bones that fuse together in the middle of the skull, below the nose, in an area known as the intermaxillary suture.

The <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/maxilla">maxilla </a>is a major bone of the face. It’s also part of the following structures of your skull:

<ul><li>the upper jawbone, which includes the hard palate at the front of your mouth </li><li>the lower part of your eye sockets </li><li>the lower parts and sides of your sinus and nasal cavities </li> </ul>

The maxilla is also fused together with other important bones in the skull, including:

<ul><li>the frontal bone, which makes contact with bones in the nose </li><li>the zygomatic bones, or cheek bones </li><li>the palatine bones, which make up part of the hard palate </li><li>the nasal bone, which makes up the bridge of your nose </li><li>the bones that hold your dental alveoli, or tooth sockets </li><li>the bony part of your nasal septum </li> </ul>

The maxilla has several main functions, including:

<ul><li>holding the top teeth in place </li><li>making the skull less heavy </li><li>increasing the volume and depth of your voice </li> </ul>

The maxilla is part of an area of your skull called the viscerocranium. Think of it as the facial part of your skull. The viscerocranium contains bones and muscles that take part in many important bodily functions, such as chewing, speaking, and breathing. This area contains many important nerves and shields the eyes, brain, and other organs during facial injuries.

Many facial muscles are connected to the maxilla on both its inner and outer surfaces. These muscles allow you to chew, smile, frown, make faces, and do other important functions. Some of these muscles include:

<ul><li>buccinator: a cheek muscle that helps you whistle, smile, and keep food positioned in your mouth when you chew </li><li>zygomaticus: another cheek muscle that helps raise the edges of your mouth when you smile; in some cases, dimples form on the skin above it </li><li>masseter: an important muscle that aids in chewing by opening and closing your jaw </li> </ul>

A maxilla fracture happens when the maxilla becomes cracked or broken. This often happens due to injuries to the face, such as from falling, a car accident, getting punched, or running into an object. These injuries can be significant.

Maxilla fractures and other fractures that occur to the front of the face are also known as mid-face fractures. These can be categorized using a system called <hl-trusted-source dir="ltr" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" source="PubMed Central"><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556744/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Le Fort classification </a> </hl-trusted-source>

<ul><li>Le Fort I: The fracture occurs in a line above and across the upper lip, separating the teeth from the maxilla, and involving the lower portion of the nasal passages. </li><li>Le Fort II: This is a triangular-shaped fracture that involves the teeth at the base and the bridge of the nose at its upper point, as well as the eye sockets and nasal bones. </li><li>Le Fort III: The fracture occurs across the bridge of the nose, through the eye sockets, and out toward the side of the face. This is the most severe type of facial fracture, often resulting from major trauma to the face. </li> </ul>

Possible symptoms of a maxilla fracture can include:

<ul><li>numbness around your upper jaw </li><li>having trouble chewing, speaking, or eating </li><li>pain in your upper lip and jaw when you chew, speak, or eat </li><li>loose teeth or teeth falling out </li> </ul>

Possible complications of an untreated maxilla fracture can include:

<ul><li>losing the ability to chew, speak, or eat normally </li><li>permanent numbness, weakness, or pain in your jaw </li><li>having trouble smelling or tasting </li><li>having trouble breathing through your nose </li><li>brain or <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy">nerve damage </a>from trauma to the head </li> </ul>

A maxilla surgery may be done if your maxilla or the surrounding bones are fractured, broken, or injured in some way.

Your doctor may recommend alternatives if the fracture isn’t serious enough to require surgery and will heal on its own. In this case, you may need to simply eat soft foods to allow your jaw to heal and see your doctor frequently for check-ups to monitor the maxilla’s healing.

If your doctor does recommend surgery for a fractured maxilla and other bones, your procedure will typically consist of the following steps:

<ol><li>Receive preliminary blood and health tests, including a physical examination. You will need X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRIs. You will also need to sign a consent form. </li><li>Arrive at the hospital and be admitted. Make sure you’ve planned for time off according to your doctor’s recommendations. </li><li>Change into a hospital gown. You will wait in the preoperative area and meet with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before going into surgery. You will be hooked up to an intravenous (IV) line. In the operating room, you will receive general anesthesia. </li> </ol>

Depending on the severity of your injuries, a wide range of surgical repair may be required. Your doctors will describe in detail the type of surgery you need, the procedures involved, recovery time, and follow-up. The extent of injuries, type of surgery, and other medical complications determine how long you stay in the hospital after surgery.

Depending on the extent of injury to your face, head, mouth, teeth, eyes, or nose, you may need a variety of specialists including, eye surgeons, oral surgeons, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, or ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeons.

Surgery can last many hours depending on how severe the fractures are. You may also need to have multiple surgeries depending on your injuries.

Bones take a long time to heal. Depending on your injuries, it may take two to four months or more. Your doctor will determine when and how frequently they want to see you after surgery and once you are home.

During the healing process, do the following to make sure your jaw heals well:

<ul><li>Follow any meal plan your doctor gives you to ensure your jaw doesn’t get strained by chewing hard or tough foods. </li><li>Follow specific instructions about activity. </li><li>Follow specific instructions about wound care and promoting healing, including when to return for checkups. </li><li>Take any antibiotics or medications your doctor prescribes for pain and infections. </li><li>Don’t go back to work, school, or other normal responsibilities until your doctor says it’s okay. </li><li>Don’t do any intense exercise. </li><li>Don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake. </li> </ul>

Your maxilla is a crucial bone in your skull’s structure and enables many basic functions, such as chewing and smiling. If it’s fractured, it can affect many other important bones around it and keep you from accomplishing even simple daily tasks.

Maxilla surgery is a safe procedure with a high success rate. If you experience any trauma to your face or head, see your doctor right away. Getting an evaluation of any injuries early on is important for proper healing. Following all your doctor’s instructions for treating any fractures of the maxilla is the best way to ensure a positive outcome.

To inspire you to exercise and eat well, we’ll send you our top health tips and stories, plus must-read news.

Bite‑sized knowledge
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