Combining dental training and advanced surgical training, a maxillofacial surgeon handles the most difficult cases related to teeth, jaws, mouth, and face. It takes eight years or more of education and training to become certified as maxillofacial doctor.
Dr. Donavan Hansen, for instance, has a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Yet he didn’t stop there. He went to the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York to do his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition to this, he was trained by the Department of Anesthesiology in intravenous and general anesthesia. To this day, he continues his education to ensure his skills and knowledge are up to date.
Arizona maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat a variety of major issues for their patients. In this list, you can get a sense of how many different aspects that a maxillofacial surgeon has to understand in order to do his or her job well. On the one hand, functional needs must be addressed, but, on the other, esthetic concerns must not be sacrificed. It’s a balance to correct these problems and maintain the right look.
Dentoalveolar Surgery
Sometimes it is necessary to operate on the jaw to prepare it for dental prostheses or dentures. This may include bone grafting, to strengthen the jaw or surgery to remove impacted teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Removing wisdom teeth can require a surgical procedure. Maxillofacial surgeons have advanced skills and can use anesthesia as needed to accomplish the removal of regular or impacted wisdom teeth.
Dental Implants
Osseointegrated dental implants require surgery to achieve a sturdy, lasting tooth structure. Through the use of bone grafts, a weaker jaw can become stronger enough to have an implant. These procedures provide nearly permanent teeth and are the preferred alternative to dentures.
Benign or Malignant Growths
A maxillofacial surgeon treats benign and malignant growths. Cysts or tumors aren’t always cancerous, but it is important to have your mouth checked for signs that advanced treatment is needed.
Corrective Bite Surgery
Sometimes a bad bite can only be corrected through reconstructive surgery. A maxillofacial surgeon performs two main types. These are known as orthognathic and dysgnathia reconstructive surgery.
Chronic Facial Pain Disorders and TMJ Disorders
There are a variety of reasons that people experience chronic facial pain or TMJ. A maxillofacial surgeon is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat these problems. There are surgical solutions that a regular dentist can’t provide.
Injury-related Surgery
Whether it’s caused by a work-related accident, a car wreck or something else, a facial injury must be handled with care. Bone grafts and other reconstruction may be needed before a person can feel like themselves again.
If you have questions or need the help of a maxillofacial surgeon, we invite you to call our office. We have two locations to serve you better.