Jarred K. Donald, DDS
16631 Coit Rd #114
Dallas, TX 75248
972-818-4300
888-49-SMILE
Patient Education - General Dentist Information in Dallas
Maxillofacial Surgery
When facial reconstruction, including procedures involving the oral
cavity, is called for, a specialist is needed. Surgical procedures of
the neck and head area are performed by a maxillofacial surgeon.
Common maxillofacial procedures include denture-related procedures and jaw surgery.
Jaw Correction
Protruding chins, crooked or buck teeth or misaligned teeth are good candidates for maxillofacial surgery.
In some people, jaws do not grow at the same rate; one may come
in larger than the other, or simply not be aligned properly with other
bony structures in the skull. This can cause problems other than
appearance issues; an improperly aligned jaw can cause problems with
the tongue and lips, and speech and chewing problems as well. Jaw
surgery can move jaws into their proper place.
Other kinds of maxillofacial surgery can correct problems with upper facial features such as the nose and cheek.
In addition to correcting jaw problems surgically, orthodontic
appliances such as braces may be needed to restore bite relationship
and ensure continued proper alignment of the jaw. In some cases, tiny
wires or small rubber bands may be needed to keep the jaws in place and
promote faster healing. In other cases, small fixation screws or
plates may need to be inserted in the jaws to facilitate easy movement
of the jaws following surgery.
Denture Fatigue
People who have worn dentures for a long time can sometimes
experience loss of gum tissue and even bone, mostly from the wear and
tear of the appliance on the soft tissues of their mouth.
In extreme cases, maxillofacial surgery, including bone
grafts, manipulation of soft tissues or even jaw realignment, may be
performed to correct such problems.
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