Maxillofacial surgery is part of a "triumvirate" that also includes oral and facial surgery. This area is called maxillofacial surgery or cranio-maxillofacial surgery. It not only deals with functional side effects such as chewing, swallowing or speaking, but can also extend into the field of aesthetics.
This becomes necessary when cosmetic corrections are required due to injuries, illnesses or malpositions. A complicated jaw fracture or even a tumor may require plastic surgery.
In order to be able to carry out treatments in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the doctor must pass a specialist examination, which is preceded by five years of further training.
Other features of general oral and maxillofacial surgery include the involvement of specialists from other fields. This is indicated when neighboring areas such as the ear, nose and throat area need to be taken into consideration during treatment. As oral and maxillofacial surgery covers such a broad spectrum, it is not uncommon in German-speaking countries to have a double license to practice.
Maxillofacial surgery can be used for several diagnoses, such as jaw reconstruction. This may be necessary if teeth are lost or if the bone substance is attacked and damaged by diseases such as periodontitis. Bone substance can also be lost when an implant is worn, making jaw augmentation necessary.
Another area of application is progenia. This is a jaw misalignment that is equivalent to an inverted overbite. Misaligned teeth and an incorrect relationship between the upper and lower jaw can contribute to this problem, which naturally calls for oral surgery.
Mandibular retrognathia is also one of the areas of application. This is when the lower jaw is displaced too far back and therefore requires correction. However, this term is not a diagnosis, as it can be divided into various sub-areas.
Genioplasty, in which the chin is altered, is directly related to this. This change may be necessary if, for example, progenia or mandibular retrognathia is present. Implants made of various materials are used in this treatment method, also known as genioplasty. These include silicone or Gore-Tex.
Cleft lip and palate, also known colloquially as a "harelip" or "wolf's mouth", is one of the most common malformations in humans. A distinction is made between different types of cleft, which are treated not only by an orthodontist, but also by ENT specialists, maxillofacial surgeons or speech therapists in order to ensure holistic treatment.
At 10 to 15%, cleftlipand palateis the second most common human malformation worldwide @ MartinRoe /AdobeStock
The following areas are covered by maxillofacial surgery:
Maxillofacial surgery is a very complex field that also includes other areas. It is therefore very important for the patient to consult an expert doctor in this field. He or she is then also the one who can consult other specialists if necessary to ensure a promising course of treatment.
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