Occasionally, Mother Nature plays “tricks” on a person’s jaws. One jaw may grow too large or too small for the opposing jaw. If the jaws are not the same size or do not relate well to the size of the face, significant problems with chewing, swallowing and digesting food can occur. In addition, TMJ problems can occur and not infrequently, the abnormality can be noticed in the facial appearance.

Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is a dental specialty which relates to the treatment of disease and disorders of the mouth, teeth and facial structures. This includes the removal of teeth, placement of dental implants, biopsy and removal of cysts and lesions of the mouth and jaws, and reconstructive facial surgery.

The neurosurgeon takes care of correcting deformations in the roof of the skull, while the oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats facial anomalies. It is the interdisciplinary cooperation of these specialists which assures the best surgical results.

There are now many well-trained surgeons from a variety of backgrounds who perform Facial Cosmetic Surgery. As with all endeavors, experience and training are the best determinants of good results. An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, with unique training and perspective, is an excellent choice to perform Facial Cosmetic Surgery.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is a unique medical provider of Facial Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Oral Surgery. Many OMFS’s attend both medical and dental school in order to obtain a broad understanding of the facial region. This is followed by an internship in General Surgery and residency focused only on the facial region. Dr. Guyette has additionally obtained extensive and ongoing training in Facial Cosmetic Surgery.

Jaw (or orthognathic) surgery involves the combined effort of the orthodontist and an oral surgeon. In some cases, the jaw bones are positioned in a way that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a good result with orthodontics alone. The most common problems corrected with jaw surgery include a protruding upper jaw (which sometimes causes a "gummy smile"), a protruding lower jaw, or a recessed lower jaw.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons receive four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, preparing them to do a wide range of procedures including all types of surgery of both the bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth and neck.

This operation reduces the size of the stomach and its capacity by creating a pouch at the top of the stomach. This pouch is connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing the lower stomach and the first portion of the intestinal tract. Besides restricting the volume of the stomach and the capacity to hold food, this procedure also reduces the absorption of calories. Having the food enter the lower part of the intestine sooner also may allow you to feel satisfied sooner.

Sometimes the disharmony between jaws and/or other facial structures is severe enough to require surgical modification if the optimal result in overall fit of the teeth as well as facial esthetics is desired. Only a qualified orthodontist (after careful analysis of the face and jaws) can determine this for you. If this should be the case, then they will likely work together with a specially trained maxillo-facial surgeon.

Orthognathic surgery combines orthodontic treatment with surgery of the jaw to correct or establish a stable, functional balance between the teeth, jaws, and facial structures. The goal of maxillofacial surgery is to treat any jaw imbalance and the resulting incorrect bite, which could adversely affect the cosmetic (esthetic) appearance as well as the proper functioning of the teeth.

Incisions are made inside of the mouth and a space or pocket is created for the implant. The implant is then inserted at the proper angle and then secured in place with sutures.

Because the incisions for jaw surgery are typically made inside of the mouth, no visible scarring will result.

Patients tend to feel mild to moderate discomfort during the first one to two days after jaw surgery.

The jaw will be bandaged or taped right after surgery. Patients typically feel mild to moderate discomfort for the first one to two days after surgery. Some amount of swelling can be expected, most of which will fade over several days though some specific swelling can remain for several months and may disguise the final result. Your diet and activities will likely be restricted at first, and smiling, talking, or moving the mouth may be limited for several days to weeks.

Stitches are typically five to ten days after surgery. When dissolvable sutures are used, as they typically are when placed inside of the mouth, they will dissolve on their own in about the same time.

The potential risks or complications that can occur with jaw surgery include an adverse anesthesia reaction, implant shifting, infection, and the need for additional surgery. Procedures performed for purely cosmetic reasons are typically not covered by insurance. Be sure to check with your own insurance carrier regarding the degree and/or availability of coverage.

Financing is available for facial plastic surgery procedures. Your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with further information about financing.

These are difficult procedures to do technically and specialized training and experience are very important when looking at a particular surgeon's results and complication rate. The uneven availability of such specialized surgeons is especially true for the gastric bypass, as it is considered a more complex operation to perform.

Aesthetic, or cosmetic, procedures treating problems of the face, neck and trunk, including the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms and skin. Traumatic injuries occurring on the bony facial skeleton and hand, along with soft tissues injuries occurring on any part of the body. Reconstruction procedures following cancer removal resulting in disfigurement of a body part, including the face, trunk, and breasts.

For most of us, the only time we think of an oral surgeon is if our kids need their wisdom teeth removed. Today's oral surgeon may be as adept at cosmetic surgeries like rhinoplasy (nose jobs) and eye lifts as they are at specific dental procedures like extractions and TM joint surgery.

Right after the procedure, you are supposed to bite onto the gauze over the surgical site for one hour. Even though the bleeding has stopped when you are discharged, it is normal to taste blood. Do not spit out, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 24 hours. Swallow your saliva instead. Rinsing your mouth and spitting out may dislodge the blood clot and bleeding may start again. The surgical site usually stays numb for approximately two hours.

No gym or team sports for up to 6 months after surgery. At the 6 month check up (after surgery) you can discuss with the doctor about increasing your activities. Light workout - you may walk on a treadmill or use an exercise bike and participate in a light workout to maintain physical fitness. Swimming in a pool or the ocean is allowed, but swimming laps for the first 6 weeks should be avoided.

The healing process makes hand surgery different from most other types of surgery. For example, in appendicitis the disease is cured once the diseased organ is removed; in hand surgery the structures within the hand are returned to anatomic position. However, for tendons to glide once again, nerves to transmit impulses, and joints to rotate, these structures must heal first and this, by definition, involves the formation of scar tissue.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a uncommon condition that involves the loss, or breakdown, of the jaw bone. Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported in patients with cancer receiving treatment, including bisphosphonates, chemotherapy and/or corticosteroids. A dental examination with appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered prior to treatment with bisphosphonates in patients with concomitant risk factors.

Our surgeons are hand picked and we believe our selection process is the most rigorous in the business. We are the only provider confident enough to have our results verified by independent consultants. Every member of our team is a fully qualified surgeon who specialises in ophthalmology and refractive treatments.

No. Surgery is usually not necessary unless you have a very severe malocclusion of your jaws, and it is obvious even to a lay person.

You will most likely need someone to drive you home after surgery, particularly if you are receiving general anesthesia.

Most patients find that they can return to work and other normal activities within a week after surgery, though it may take two weeks before you look socially acceptable.

More strenuous activities, particularly activities which risk jarring or bumping the face, should be avoided for four to six weeks.