Maxillofacial Surgery

Maxillofacial surgeons are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. This is normally provided in a hospital environment, particularly if the type of surgery you are having will mean that you need to stay in the care of professionals overnight while you begin your recovery.

Maxillofacial surgeons are specialists and will have completed a hospital oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program for a minimum of four years. This program includes crucial training in the use of anesthesia and pain control to ensure that patients are suitably anesthetized and relaxed for their surgery. This is important since many types of maxillofacial surgery require patients to have a general anesthetic which causes them to be unconscious during their procedure. There are a number of risks associated with the use of general anesthesia, but by choosing a trained and experienced maxillofacial surgeon who works alongside a trained anesthetist, these can be minimized, and your surgery will be considered very safe.

The majority of maxillofacial surgeons are now qualified in both dental surgery and medicine. Some also go on to specialize in a particular area of maxillofacial surgery, such as reconstructive surgery or cancer treatments. In many instances, they may work alongside other specialists including orthodontists, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons, plastic surgeons and oncologists, forming multidisciplinary teams to effectively treat all major conditions affecting the mouth, face, and jaw.