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Maxillofacial

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Maxillofacial Treatment & Diagnostics in Chembur, Mumbai

Maxillofacial

Oral and maxillofacial surgery or OMF is a specialization of dentistry that focuses on re-correcting deformities and trauma that may affect the face, mouth and jaw region and need prompt treatment. “Maxillofacial” refers to the jaw while “oral” refers to the mouth.

What do we need to know about maxillofacial surgery?

It is a corrective option if you have a fractured or dislocated jaw or need to correct the congenital defects in the structure of the jaw that can't be resolved with orthodontics alone. The professionals who perform this surgery are called maxillofacial doctors or surgeons, they are board-certified dental specialists who have training in both medicine and dentistry. 

They perform facial reconstructive procedures that include surgery for face injuries - complex craniofacial fractures, fractures of the lower jaw, upper jaw, cheekbone and nose (sometimes all of these) as well as soft tissue injuries of the mouth, face and neck. 

To know more, you can search online for a plastic surgery doctor near me or a plastic surgery hospital near me.

What are the conditions that require this treatment?

These are some conditions that require a maxillofacial surgeon help and his or her special expertise:

  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Difficulty in biting and chewing
  • Cleft lip and palate 
  • Problems with swallowing or speech
  • Congenital defects of the jaw
  • Excessive wear and breakdown of the teeth
  • Facial imbalance (asymmetry) such as small chins, underbites, overbites and crossbites
  • Inability of the lips to fully close comfortably
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
  • Obstructive sleep apnea

What causes these conditions?

There are many reasons why facial reconstructive surgery is often required. But most patients require surgery because of:

  • Accidental injuries
  • Trauma
  • Diseases
  • Deformities
  • Periodontal issues
  • Dental caries
  • Tooth loss
  • Birth defects

When do you need to see a maxillofacial surgeon? 

Other dentists, such as pediatric dentists, can also perform minor surgeries, such as tooth extraction. However, they are not specialized in doing more invasive surgeries. In that case, consulting specialized dentists like maxillofacial doctors in Mumbai makes more sense.

In a normal case, you can schedule your appointment and will get plenty of time to weigh your options. It's true for minor facial procedures like tooth extraction. Most oral surgeries are for emergency situations. When this happens, for immediate treatment, you must search for maxillofacial doctors near me

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Chembur, Mumbai.

Call1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the risks associated with maxillofacial surgery?

Maxillofacial surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced maxilloFacial surgeon in collaboration with an orthodontist. But with any surgery, risks are involved, and with maxillofacial procedures, the risks are: 

  • Blood loss
  • Infection
  • Nerve injury
  • Jaw fracture
  • Relapse of the jaw to the original position
  • Problems with bite fit and jaw joint pain
  • Need for further surgery
  • Need for root canal therapy on selected teeth
  • Loss of a portion of the jaw

How is the procedure done?

During surgery

Once you are prepared, and anesthesia is administered, the procedure can begin. It could be an open surgery (an invasive procedure), endoscopic surgery (called 'keyhole surgery') or minimally invasive surgery (involving a small incision and minimal tissue damage).

The surgery may be characterized as being:

  • Reconstructive (to correct structural abnormalities) or 
  • Aesthetic (used for cosmetic purposes) 

Which surgery would be carried out would vary from patient to patient. After the completion of the procedure, sutures, staples or tape may be used to close the incisions. Then a sterile bandage is applied.

Recovery

After initial healing from an OMF procedure, about 6 weeks later you can expect:
 Improved function of your teeth

  • Improved appearance
  • Improved sleep, breathing, chewing and swallowing
  • Improvement in speech impairments

Conclusion

OMF surgery is unique as it acts as the bridge between medicine and dentistry that enables oral and maxillofacial surgeons to treat conditions requiring expertise in both fields. 

Depending on your condition, you will either visit a non-specialized general dentist or a specialized maxillofacial surgeon in Chembur to receive suitable treatment. 
 

What is the difference between a maxillofacial surgeon and a general dentist?

An oral maxillofacial surgeon has six years extra training after dental school, that's six more years of training than what your general dentist pursues. Maxillofacial surgeons are specialist dentists, and correct facial deformities and treat disorders, diseases, injuries on teeth, jawbones and the face. A dentist sees your overall oral health. Their responsibilities are multiple and varied.

How long does maxillofacial surgery take?

Most surgeries take 1 to 2 hours, but surgery that involves multiple procedures to be done may take longer if jaw problems are more extensive. The exact time is determined by the type of the procedure performed and the severity of the condition treated.

Does insurance cover maxillofacial surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial procedures are medically necessary and you have a strong chance of being covered by insurance. But sometimes it may vary with different insurance providers, they may have different reimbursement rates for surgeries and they may choose to not give the full cover, and you have to bear a portion of the oral surgery costs.

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