Australian Maxillofacial and Oral specialists offer non-elective surgical treatments for facial trauma and oral & maxillofacial problems to give you the proper care and quality treatment you deserve.
Services cover:
Wisdom Teeth
Salivary Glands
Maxillofacial Trauma e.g. Jaw Fractures
Orthognathic Problems (Jaw Correction)
Oral Cancer and Oral Medicine
Temporomandibular Joint and Facial Pains
Dental Implants
Oral and maxillofacial surgery involves the treatment of various conditions, defects and injuries of the teeth, mouth, jaws, and face.
Common reasons for referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon include wisdom teeth, dental implants, jaw misalignment and oral pathology.
The specialty also encompasses the treatment of facial fractures and post-traumatic facial reconstruction.
Wisdom Teeth and Dentoalveolar Surgery
Problematic wisdom teeth are one of the most common reasons for referral.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are typically the last teeth to develop and usually erupt into the mouth between the ages of 16 to 25. In many people the amount of space available is insufficient to accommodate the size of the wisdom teeth. These results in the teeth not being able to fulfil a functional role in the bite, and the teeth often become stuck at various stages of development, a condition known as impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth may cause a number of problems including infection, decay of adjacent teeth, pain and predispose to the development of some types of pathology.
The removal of wisdom teeth is probably the most common procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and is among the most frequently undertaken surgical procedures in Australia. For most people the procedure is straight forward and recovery takes only a few days. Impacted wisdom teeth are usually removed under a general anaesthesia, but some are suitable for extraction with local anaesthetic only, depending on patient preference.
Our Specialists will discuss with you the best way of treating your wisdom teeth, and will outline the type of procedure required, including the risks, costs and expected post-operative recovery.
Orthognathics and Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics includes procedures ranging from exposure of impacted teeth, through to the more complex orthognathic surgical cases.
Implants
Dental implants are used to permanently replace missing teeth, and have a high rate of success Dental implants have been used for over 30 years to replace missing teeth. They comprise a titanium threaded post which is surgically implanted into the jaw bone, to which a prosthetic crown is attached. As implants are fixed to the bone they provide a restoration that feels and functions like a normal tooth we ensure the implant is placed in the most ideal location to facilitate an aesthetic and functional result
here are several stages in the process of implant surgery. Initially a consultation appointment is arranged to discuss the suitability of implants in each particular case. This includes an assessment of any underlying medical conditions, some of which may preclude successful implant therapy. A clinical and x-ray examination follows in order to ensure the availability of sufficient space and bony volume. If there is not enough bone we may recommend a grafting procedure.
Implant surgery is traditionally performed in two stages. Stage I involves the placement of the implant itself, followed by 4-6 months of healing to allow the jaw bone to anchor the implant. Stage II is a short procedure to expose the implant and attach a connector piece known as an abutment. You are then referred back to your restorative clinician who then proceeds with crown placement.
We will outline the type of procedure required in each case, including the risks, costs and expected post-operative recovery. And a more natural feel than removable dentures.
Oral Medicine
Oral Medicine is the management of pathology of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and jaws. Oral Medicine
The mouth is a unique environment that is anatomically and physiologically quite complex. The oral environment and surrounds contain a variety of tissues ranging from the teeth, to salivary glands and oral mucosa. It is not surprising, therefore, that a wide range of pathological conditions are found in the mouth and jaws. Many of the conditions of the oral cavity and jaws are specific to those locations and are not found elsewhere in the body. On the other hand, the mouth may be one of the first places that systemic pathology presents.
The majority of oral conditions are benign and are straightforward to manage. A biopsy is often needed in mucosal lesions to accurately determine the type of condition, and this is normally performed under local anaesthesia. For jaw lesions it may be necessary to arrange x-rays or CT scans to image the area adequately, before deciding on management.
Our Specialists and will discuss with you the best way of treating your individual case, and will outline the type of procedures required, including the risks, costs and expected post-operative recovery.
Orthognathic Surgery and Surgical Orthodontics
Orthognathic surgery is from the Greek terms orthos meaning straight and gnathos meaning jaws. It is also commonly known as surgical orthodontics. Whilst the vast majority of people with incorrect bite can be treated with orthodontics alone, a small percentage have a discrepancy in jaw size or position which is too large. In those cases orthodontics alone can lead to a very poor aesthetic and functional result, with relapse common once the braces are removed. Jaw surgery can seem a daunting prospect at first, but most patients recover surprisingly quickly and return to normal activities within a short period of time
There are several stages to orthognathic surgery. Firstly the teeth need to be aligned to accommodate the planned change in jaw position. This is done with braces by an orthodontist and usually takes around 12 – 18 months. Once things are prepared a date is made for surgery. The surgery itself takes a few hours, and the stay in hospital is usually only 3-4 days. After an initial few weeks for healing, the orthodontist takes over again for final detailing, with the braces coming off about 6 months after surgery.
Other types of surgical orthodontics include the exposure of impacted teeth to allow the orthodontist to move these teeth into the bite. This most commonly involves the upper canine teeth, which often become stuck within the palate. A small surgical procedure is required to locate the tooth and cement a gold chain which is then connected to the braces.
Our Specialists will discuss with you the best way of treating your individual case, and will outline the type of procedures required, including the risks, costs and expected post-operative recovery.
Trauma
Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons manage trauma including fractures of the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla (upper jaw), zygoma (cheek bone), orbit (eye socket), nose and dentoalveolar injuries.
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