Posted on 5/15/2024 by Mountain State Oral and Facial Surgery
The maxillofacial area is medically defined by your jaw and lower face. Maxillofacial surgery is a special type of dentistry involving procedures used to correct injuries and defects of the face, jaws, and mouth. These defects can involve damage to the bones and tissues in the maxillofacial area.
How Maxillofacial Surgery Is Done
There are different procedures involved in maxillofacial surgery. The exact procedure your dentist will perform will depend on the condition you want to address. Some of these procedures can be quick, and they are usually done in outpatient settings. For such surgeries, you get to go home the same day. Other types of maxillofacial surgeries are quite complex, and your surgeon will perform multiple procedures before the entire surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
Before you undergo maxillofacial surgery, you will meet with a surgeon for a lengthy evaluation. You and the surgeon will discuss your symptoms, any medications you are taking, and your medical history.
The evaluation stage might involve taking X-rays and other imaging tests so that your maxillofacial surgeon can have a detailed outlook of the inside of your jaw, mouth, and face. Your surgeon will come up with the most effective surgery plan based on these images.
The Duration of Maxillofacial Surgery
If you are getting a corrective jaw surgery, your surgery will last between 1.5 and 2 hours. If your surgery involved repairing both the upper and lower jaws, your procedure might take between 3 and 4 hours to complete.
If you are getting temporomandibular joint surgery, your procedure will take between 3 to 4 hours. A temporomandibular joint surgery is the most intense. You will be under general anesthesia, and you will stay in the hospital for another five days before you can be discharged.
Maxillofacial surgery is the medical procedure you need to improve the function and appearance of your face. Contact your dental clinic for more information.