What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a medical specialty that focuses on treating congenital and acquired diseases and deformities of the skull, face, jaws, and neck.
Acquired conditions may result from:
Trauma
Developmental anomalies
Tumors
Degenerative diseases
Age-related changes
Aesthetic Facial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery also includes cosmetic procedures designed to rejuvenate appearance and boost self-confidence, such as:
Facelift
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Brow and Forehead Lift
Chin surgery and implants
Facial scar correction
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
Otoplasty (ear surgery)
Fat grafting to the face
Non-surgical treatments are also part of the field:
Botulinum toxin injections
Dermal fillers (hyaluronic acid for lips and facial soft tissue)
Reconstructive and Functional Surgery
This specialty also addresses more complex medical conditions, including:
Orthognathic surgery – correction of jaw alignment and treatment of sleep apnoea
Jawbone grafting to prepare for dental implants
Treatment of skin tumors in the head and neck region
Surgical treatment of craniofacial deformities, including:
Craniosynostosis
Cleft lip and palate
Goal
The aim of oral and maxillofacial surgery is to restore both appearance and function in order to improve the patient’s quality of life, wellbeing, and overall health.