Maxillofacial Surgery - What It Is and When You Need It

You may have difficulty chewing and eating when you injure or damage your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects your jaw to your skull, and when injured, can cause pain when opening your mouth or moving your jaw. Surgery, non-surgical methods, and medication are the most common treatment options for TMJ damage or complications.

A tooth is impacted if it’s below the surface of your gums. Surgery may be needed to expose it, allowing it to erupt. This is one aspect of dentoalveolar surgery, which involves cutting into your alveolar bone, which forms the tooth sockets.

Sometimes, a child may have abnormally developed jaws and facial bones, which can negatively impact their dental health. Misaligned jaws can cause crooked teeth and bad bites, inhibiting the victim’s speech and chewing abilities. These issues can be corrected with orthognathic surgery. A maxillofacial surgeon will surgically move the jaws to the correct position, paving the way for proper teeth alignment.

Some people are born with deformed jaws and facial skeletons. Injury, disease, or developmental growth abnormalities can also cause these problems. Maxillofacial surgery can repair deformities by repositioning and reshaping affected facial structures.

t only are severe facial injuries painful, but they can also affect your vision and oral functions. When such trauma involves broken bones, surgical intervention is usually necessary. Treatments involve lining up and positioning fractured parts.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a child’s lip or mouth tissue doesn’t join together completely. The deformities can be corrected with craniofacial surgery. A team of experts with the knowledge of treating skull and facial bone deformities are involved in the management of these conditions.

Certain diseases that affect the hard and soft tissues around your face and inside your mouth may require surgical treatment. These include malignant tumors and complications that cause damage to the jaw and facial bones. After initial surgery, maxillofacial surgery may be necessary to restore your oral functions.

When looking to replace missing teeth using artificial alternatives or dental implants are the most advanced option. These metal, usually titanium, posts replace tooth roots and aren’t removable. Since dental implant surgery involves cutting into your jaw bones, it is best performed by an experienced surgeon. A maxillofacial surgeon has the expertise to perform complex surgical procedures on the jawbone, soft tissue, and surrounding nerves. They can also participate in site preparations for implant surgery. Some patients require bone and soft tissue reconstruction before having dental implants.

Maxillofacial surgery may also be an option for patients with unwanted facial features, including due to aging. During the cosmetic procedure, skin and tissues may be extracted from other parts of the body for use in facial reconstruction.

This procedure helps to restore the functions of the jaw, facial bone, and facial tissues if damaged after injury or infection. It also involves the grafting of tissues or bone from other body parts.