Hanan Zowayhed, 22, will have an artificial jaw joint implanted in each side of her cheek by the world leader in jaw surgery.

Ms Zowayhed and her aunty Hwayda Sharrouf used the internet to track down Charlestown oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Michael Bowler.

Dr Bowler enlisted the help of colleague Professor Louis Mercuri in the United States, the doctor who help design, and pioneered the use of, an artificial jaw joint used around the world.

Dr Bowler removed the fused bone in September and Professor Mercuri has flown to Australia to insert Ms Zowayhed's new jaw at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, Gateshead, today.

Doctors will also remove a small amount of fat from Mr Zowayhed's stomach and insert it in the side of her face to cushion the prosthesis.

Professor Mercuri said while the operation was still relatively rare, it was the equivalent of a hip or knee replacement.

Ms Zowayhed was just four years old when she fell three metres from a balcony and hurt her jaw.

The injury could have been easily treated but was not picked up by her village doctor and her jaw joint become fused to the base of her skull.

Later, despite three surgeries, doctors in the Middle East were unable to restore movement and she has struggled to speak and has hardly been able to eat since.

Doctors had to remove her front teeth so she could get food in her mouth.

Thanks to donations in the Middle East, Ms Zowayhed's family was able to afford the operation in Australia. The procedure would have cost four times as much in the United States.

Professor Mercuri said Ms Zowayhed should be able to eat solid food within a week of the operation but it would be some months before she could have dental work and make a full recovery.

Ms Zowayhed said she was looking forward to being able eat a steak.

"I am also looking forward to going to university," she said.