Maxillofacial surgery refers to a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the surgical correction of deformities, injuries, and diseases of the mouth, jaws, and face.
Maxillofacial Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide
Maxillofacial surgery is a specialized field that focuses on corrective and aesthetic procedures for the face, jaws, mouth, teeth, and neck. This surgical specialty is crucial in addressing a wide range of issues, from jaw misalignment to facial trauma.
Maxillofacial surgeons, who typically hold a dental degree (DDS or DMD), undergo a 4-6 year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program. Their training encompasses oral pathology, orthognathic surgery, trauma, implantology, TMJ disorders, and facial pain, among other areas.
In a non-urgent situation, the first step for maxillofacial surgery often involves a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon. This includes symptom evaluation, review of medical history, update of current medications, a full examination of the maxillofacial area, and diagnostic imaging.
The risks associated with maxillofacial surgeries are varied and may include TMJ disorder, persistent pain sensations, nerve injury, relapse, shifting of other maxillofacial structures, infection, facial numbness, tooth loss, and dry socket. Most maxillofacial surgeries require a soft or liquid diet for the first few weeks due to the nature of the operated area.
Depending on a person's age, health, and need for anesthesia, additional laboratory testing may be necessary, such as blood work, chest X-ray, and electrocardiogram (ECG). The type of maxillofacial surgery will determine which level of fluid therapy and anesthesia a person requires.
There are four types of anesthesia: general (deep) anesthesia, IV sedation (conscious sedation), regional anesthesia, and local anesthesia. Extensive procedures, such as jaw repair, require general anesthesia, while some, such as wisdom teeth removal, may only require local anesthetic or conscious sedation.
After maxillofacial surgery, a person is likely transferred to a quiet recovery suite while the effects of anesthetic wear off. During recovery, the healthcare team may administer pain management medications, maintain fluid therapy, and monitor the person's vitals.
Common complications after maxillofacial surgery include general post-op pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, and the need for further procedures and follow-ups. Some surgical procedures may require a hospital stay for several days.
It's important to note that maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons perform many of the same procedures, but they are not interchangeable titles. Plastic surgeons may perform reconstructive surgery on other areas of the body, while maxillofacial surgeons' practice is limited to the head and neck.
Plastic surgeons, who usually start with a medical degree (MD or DO) and complete a general surgery residency followed by a 2-3 year specialized plastic surgery residency or fellowship, have a broader reconstructive and aesthetic surgical expertise than maxillofacial surgeons.
In summary, maxillofacial surgeons have dental-origin training with surgical specialization in facial bones and oral tissues, whereas plastic surgeons train medically with a broader focus on full body reconstruction and cosmetic surgery.
[1] American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. (n.d.). About Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.aaoms.org/about-aaoms/
[2] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Plastic Surgery: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/
[3] American Dental Association. (n.d.). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgery
[4] American Board of Plastic Surgery. (n.d.). About Plastic Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.abplsurg.org/about-us/
[5] American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. (n.d.). About Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.aboms.org/about-us/
Maxillofacial surgery, rooted in science, is a medical-condition-focused discipline within health-and-wellness that concentrates on correcting and beautifying the face, jaws, mouth, teeth, and neck. Maxillofacial surgeons, with their unique background in dentistry and specialized training, often utilize anesthesia during procedures to ensure patient comfort during procedures ranging from minor to complex.
