What Is Maxillofacial surgery? A Brief Guide
Are you interested in the world of medicine and surgery? One of the most fascinating areas of the field is maxillofacial surgery, or oral surgery.
But what is maxillofacial surgery? It’s not a question that you’ll find answers to in a few sentences because it encompasses a huge range of treatments, from wisdom tooth extraction to cancer surgeries.
We’re going to take a look at some common procedures carried out by maxillofacial surgeons, so keep reading as we explore together.
What Is Maxillofacial Surgery?
Maxillofacial, oral, and dental surgery is a unique area of healthcare in that it is somewhat of a crossover between dentistry and medicine.
Experts from both fields are vital to the treatment of a host of conditions, and to enter higher training as an oral surgeon, medical professionals must have qualifications in both dentistry and medicine.
Maxillofacial surgery covers the mouth, jaw, face, and neck.
What Conditions Do Oral Surgeons Treat?
Many maxillofacial surgeons will specialize in one particular area of oral surgery because it’s an incredibly complex and intricate area of the body. Here are some of the specialist areas and conditions that are treated within them.
Oral Medicine
Oral medicine is concerned with the treatment of conditions inside the mouth. This includes conditions such as ulcers, candida infections, gum disease, and many other conditions.
Facial and Oral Cancers
Maxillofacial surgery is just one of many disciplines that are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the face and mouth.
ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons, as well as radiotherapy and radiology, are just a few of the disciplines that work together on these cases.
Reconstructive Surgery
Oral surgeons will work to treat serious facial trauma through reconstructive surgeries.
The types of trauma that surgeons will typically treat are fractures of the jaw and cheekbones, lacerations, and orbital fractures.
Jaw Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull, and conditions affecting it are relatively common. Cracking, locking, jamming, and restricted movement are all conditions that can be treated by maxillofacial surgery according to this dentist in Highlands Ranch.
Complex Dentistry
While most complex dental treatments are carried out by an orthodontist, maxillofacial surgeons will, at times, work alongside orthodontists to perform wisdom tooth extraction and dental implants.
Is Maxillofacial Surgery Safe?
All surgery carries risks, and the risk depends on what treatment a patient goes through.
Generally speaking, maxillofacial surgeries are safe when carried out by a professional. If you’re reading this because you’re anxious about an upcoming surgery, take comfort in the fact that these professionals are highly skilled and will carry out the procedure with care and accuracy.
Now You Know the Basics of Maxillofacial Surgery
Maxillofacial surgery is a complex and intricate area of healthcare, and surgeons are often accompanied by professionals from a number of different disciplines to ensure that treatment is as comprehensive as possible.
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