The term ‘maxillofacial’ describes a specialist surgical discipline dedicated to the face, jaws and mouth. Many of the routine procedures are concerned with the restoration of function (dental bite: eyesight; jaw joints: nasal breathing) and as facial form follows functional correction, these procedures will also deliver a cosmetic benefit.
You may require this type of surgery for a number of reasons:
(1) Facial deformity – Either something you were born with like a small lower jaw or chin, asymmetric facial appearance or unbalanced dental bite which may benefit from orthognathic surgery; perhaps you’ve suffered an accident and have trouble with your eyesight (orbital fracture); you are unable to breathe through a crooked nose (nasal bone fracture), have trouble getting restful sleep (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), your cheekbone is depressed (zygomatic fracture) or your dental bite is unstable (maxillary or mandibular fracture)?
(2) Head and neck tumours – Our Gold Coast oral surgeons have a primary role in the diagnosis and treatment of many tumours of the head and neck. This concerns diseases of the soft tissue and bony structures of the face, mouth and jaws, including tumours, cysts of the jaws, skin and salivary gland cancers. Some of these diseases are very serious and require early diagnosis and prompt treatment
(3) Jaw joint replacement (Temporo-Mandibular Joint Arthroplasty) – Our specialist Gold Coast maxillofacial surgeons have extensive experience in diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disease and TMJ replacement.
Maxillofacial Surgeon Gold Coast
At the Dental Implant & Specialist Centre, we provide our patients with complete care. We are highly skilled Gold Coast oral surgeons experienced in identifying and treating injuries and deformities of the face, jaws and mouth. As maxillofacial surgeons, we have gained a wealth of experience in managing patients with a range of facial trauma related injuries. These injuries are often secondary to motor vehicle accidents, sporting mishaps, other accidents or violence. Surgery for treatment of bone fractures requires the insertion of small plates and screws to hold the jaws in place whilst they heal. These types of surgery take place under general anaesthetic (asleep) in hospital.
Additionally, this specialist field deals with facial deformity corrective procedures including orthognathic surgery, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery and Septo-Rhinoplasty. Many of these patients present with difficulty eating, speaking (mal-aligned jaws), sleeping (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) and crooked or drooping noses (nasal deformity).