Questions about the durability of a healed jaw that was badly broken

Six years ago, my Wheezie was attacked by a dog and her jaw was very badly broken. The vet was very nervous about doing this particular surgery and did not have a positive outlook for her recovery. Her jaw was broken in several places and partially shattered in one area.

Thank goodness, the surgery went well and Wheezie fully recovered. After two weeks of tube feeding, she could eat soft food on her own and now she eats hard food and treats with no problem. Her jaw sits a little crooked, but we think it gives her extra character.

What I am wondering is how fragile is her jaw now? How well does bone really heal and grow back together when it has been that damaged? Her jaw was wired together and some of the wires stayed in place while others were removed weeks after the surgery. I worry constantly about her bumping her face too hard on something or when I inadvertently bop her with my elbow when she is sitting right behind me. I also stop her from playing rough with our youngest cat because I worry so much. Are these valid concerns or am I being a worrywart?

You can see her slightly crooked jaw in this photo:

Hmm, I am not really sure. I suppose you could have x-rays taken to see how well the jaw has healed if you are really worried about it. Honestly though after 6 years, if she is not exhibiting any pain and behaving normally, I have to think it has healed well. I know it's hard to not worry about our furbabies sometimes...

I had a cat who at a young age had his jaw broken on each side. He lived well into his teens with no further jaw problems.

If cat bones work like human bones, broken bones heal harder and stronger than the original bone.  I know after I broke my thigh, after it healed I asked my doctor if it could break again, and he showed me the x-rays, and the bone was actually thicker where the break was. 

But certainly, talk to your vet if you have concerns. 

@happybird She is so beautiful!!!

I agree, lovely cat!

Thank you, all! I didn't know bones grew back stronger when they heal, that is good to know and eases my mind. I think I will have her X-rayed at her next vet visit, just for further reassurance. I keep hearing 'you have to treat her like glass' echoing in my head every time I see her climbing on something or wrestling with Pooper.
And thank you for the compliments to Wheezie. She looks a little annoyed in that photo, so I must have been taking a bunch of her, lol! We call her the supermodel kitty because she will pose for photos, but when she is done, she is done. She is quite the diva.
I got her from the pound about 13 years ago and I still regret not adopting her brother, too. I didn't know much about cats back then and didn't realize it would have been little extra trouble to adopt two at the same time. I think about him often and hope he found a good home, too. He was just as adorable as Wheezie.

Edit:
This series of photos always cracks me up because it is so model-y. Wheezie is throwing all her best head shot poses, but you can tell by the last 2 photos she is over it and done for the day. There are more, but my collage maker wouldn't fit them all. She is very serious about her work.