About Maxillofacial Surgery
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is maxillofacial surgery?
Maxillofacial surgery is a surgical subspecialty of medicine that diagnoses and treats defects, diseases and injuries to the hard and soft tissues of the mouth (oral) and jaws and face region (maxillofacial). These diseases, injuries or defects may interfere with the function or aesthetics of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Who performs maxillofacial surgery?This kind of surgery is performed by a maxillofacial surgeon. Such a surgeon is specialized in treating the entire craniomaxillofacial complex. This includes the anatomical area of the skull, face, mouth, and jaws as well as associated structures.
What kind of training do maxillofacial surgeons have?Depending on the location, maxillofacial surgeons may have training in general medicine, dentistry, and surgery. Training and qualification in medicine can be optionally undertaken. They may also undergo additional optional training for 1or 2 years in oral and maxillofacial surgery fellowship training. This fellowship can be in the following areas:
- Cosmetic facial surgery
- Head and neck cancer-microvascular reconstruction
- Cranio-maxillofacial trauma
- Craniofacial surgery
- Head and neck reconstruction
- Maxillofacial regeneration
Why see a maxillofacial surgeon?- To have dental implants inserted to replace teeth.
- To have oral surgical procedures performed
- To have an oral, facial or jaw cyst or tumor diagnosed and treated.
- To have your jaw aligned
- To have your jaw joints repaired
- To have facial and jaw reconstruction after cancer surgery
- To have the facial bones realigned after facial trauma.
- To consult so as to determine whether to have aesthetic surgery
- To have a tooth extracted
Surgical proceduresTreatments may be performed on the craniomaxillofacial complex which includes the face, neck, mouth, jaws and include:
- Dentoalveolar surgery: This is surgery for difficult tooth extraction, to remove impacted teeth, extractions on medically compromised patients, bone grafting or pre-prosthetic surgery, dentures, or other dental prostheses.
- Surgery to insert bone fused maxillofacial implants and dental implants for attaching bone anchored hearing aids and craniofacial prostheses.
- Cosmetic surgery of the head and neck: This includes facelift, browlift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, septoplasty, cheek or chin augmentation, genioplasty, lip enhancement, oculoplastics, neck liposuction, injectable cosmetic treatments, chemical peel and botox
- Corrective jaw surgery and surgical treatment of sleep apnea
How to prepare for maxillofacial surgeryIf opting for sedation or general anesthesia you should not drink or eat anything 6-8 hours prior to the surgery. Also, ensure to have someone to take you home after the procedure. Any prescribed medication should be taken with only a small sip of water.
After care : Bleeding: Most bleeding is usually under control by the time you leave. Some blood-tinged saliva or oozing may continue for a day.
Pain: The doctor will prescribe medication to manage any pain you may experience.
Swelling: This may occur immediately after the procedure. It may gradually increase over 1-3 days. Ice packs may control the swelling.
Nausea: This may result from the anesthesia or pain medication.
Diet: You should eat soft foods and drink liquids 1-2 days following the surgery. Hot and spicy foods should be avoided
Oral hygiene: This should not be avoided. Brush your teeth as usual and use warm salt water to rinse the mouth after each meal. The surgical area should not be brushed for at least 4 days following the surgery.
Activity: You can resume regular activities gradually after the first 2-3 days. This is because strenuous activities can promote bleeding.
Fever: It is normal to have an elevated body temperature following the procedure for a day.
Side effects: These are temporary and improve as healing progresses. They include an earache, restricted mouth opening, and discoloration of the skin, the temporary ache of the adjacent teeth and stretching or cracking at the mouth corners.
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