Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral surgery, is painful?

It does not have to be. Modern techniques of local anesthesia and sedation, allow all kinds of interventions inside the mouth without causing suffering to the patient.

Can I have surgery the same day of the visit?

The doctor has to make a previous visit to diagnose the state of their teeth and prevent possible allergies. If the molars are close to the dental nerve, you will require an x-ray prior to surgery.

Maxillary Reconstructions

When patients lose important parts of the jaws of diverse etiology either by trauma, infection or pathology requires rebuilding them using various techniques and biological materials.

The defects of maxilla apart from affecting the functions of the speech, swallowing and mastication also cause cosmetic disfigurement. Rehabilitation of the form and function in patients with maxillary defects is either by using an obturator prosthesis or by a surgical reconstruction.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth in the jaws to develop. Typically, they develop in your late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth either come through the gums, called erupting, or they are blocked, which is called impaction. Impaction can vary in severity, from gum tissue blockage to complete bone coverage.

In most cases, we find that there is not enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to function properly and be easily cleaned, and extraction is recommended.

When should extract?

When wisdom teeth are impacted, problems with the jaw and adjacent teeth can develop. An impacted wisdom tooth can cause gum tissue infections, decay on the second molar, and possible crowding of other teeth. Serious problems can develop with infections spreading to the throat and neck, or cysts or tumors that can destroy jawbone to the point of fracture.

If these problems occur, your dentist should evaluate your jaw structure and wisdom teeth status with regular oral exams and x-rays. In many cases, routine x-rays are not enough for a full evaluation of the wisdom teeth, jaw and surrounding structures. A panoramic x-ray is typically done, which allows for a complete assessment of the jaw and teeth.

What are the implications of a postoperative extraction?

Involves a slight swelling for 2 or 3 days depending on the degree of inclusion of the wisdom teeth, the surgical technique and the patient’s response to the interventions provided.

Chin Surgery

It is a surgery that gives many aesthetic benefits, easy and economical. This surgery coupled with the removal of Bichat bags and neck liposuction will give very favorable aesthetic results.

Chin surgery can offer one of the most striking cosmetic facial changes. A receding chin is usually due to the underdevelopment of the lower face and jaw. This is frequently a genetic condition and may be seen in other family members.

In addition chin surgery can also tighten and enhance the sagging skin or fatty tissues in the neck. Along with chin surgery minor neck liposuction may also enhance the chin and address fatty or sagging neck skin.

Temporomandibular Joint

Temporomandibular disorders, commonly called TMJ disorders are some alterations that cause pain and dysfunction in the joints and muscles that control jaw movement.

There are degenerative diseases, traumatic or tumor type. In all of these cases it is necessary to perform a complete clinical and radiological study to establish a diagnosis (Pain Syndrome or TMJ dysfunction, Myofascial Pain Syndrome) and thus propose to the patient the most appropriate treatment.

Such alterations are divided into three categories:

• Myofascial pain, which causes pain in the muscles that control the jaw
• An internal asymmetry caused by a displaced disc, dislocated jaw or injuries condyle
• Degenerative and inflammatory disorders of the temporomandibular joints

What are temporomandibular disorders?

They are dysfunctions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These disorders can cause pain, difficulty chewing, and other symptoms.

To whom temporomadibular pain affect?

It can affect people at any age, mainly young women are affected. Some causes are: stress, anxiety, yawning mouth forced opening or eating snacks, chewing gum or very hard foods like nuts, trauma to the chin, among others.

When should I visit a maxillofacial surgeon?

If you notice problems when eating or opening your mouth, do not hesitate to go to your doctor, it is better than the doctor make a timely diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment for TMJ.

Pathology

Handling of cysts, benign and malignant tumors of the jaws. The surgeon operates infectious processes of maxillofacial region either of dental origin or other origin. Contact us or make your appointment to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

How is a tumor disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis is suspected of such injuries is performed by palpation, which usually appreciate a tumor (lump). Asking the patient for some type of imaging test: iconography, CT scan or MRI, the surgeon can know in detail the size and depth of the tumor.

Bichectomy

It is a surgery that has the purpose to remove two small little bags of fat we have in our cheeks under each cheekbone, that generate a rounded contour and poorly defined cheekbones. When they are removed the result is a best defined cheekbones, a thinner face and a greater harmony of the face is achieved.

Included Canines or Retained Canines

The canines are the second most likely teeth after the wisdom teeth, can be retained. Therefore it is very important to determine if you have an included or retained canine to treat it as soon as possible, because the longer you go, the harder will be to take out the tooth.

Why is it important to diagnose the presence of included canines at an early age?

A panoramic radiograph allows to see if the canines are present or not, and if they have appeared or have not erupted.

Must be checked at the age of 8 and 9 years if the child does not have all the teeth and if there are obstacles to the eruption. The orthodontic traction is always easier in young patients during adolescence.

Apicoectomy

When root canal treatment is not able to completely remove a periapical focus and discomfort persists, a surgical procedure called Apicoectomy to solve the problem is needed.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery involves the surgical correction of facial deformities (alterations of facial bones that make teeth do not fit properly), altering chewing and facial aesthetics.

The aim is to correct the malocclusion and get a proper bite, restoring masticatory function and further improving the facial aesthetics.

Facial Trauma

Facial trauma also called maxillofacial trauma, is any physical trauma to the face. Facial trauma can involve soft tissue injuries such as burns, lacerations and bruises, or fractures of the facial bones such as nasal fractures and fractures of the jaw, as well as trauma such as eye injuries.

Removal of Cysts and Benign Tumors

Cysts located within the jawbone or mandible of benign causes are relatively common and can solve easily.