Maxillofacial Surgeons: Guardians of the Face
Dr. Yash Merchant, MDS, FRCS (UK) is a Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon at Jupiter Hospital, Baner. He is trained in trauma and head and neck cancer with fellowships across different geographies. Also, he is one of the few maxillofacial surgeons credentialled by the Royal College of Surgeons (Edin). He practices at different corporate hospitals in Pune while advancing his passion for teaching at the D.Y. Patil Dental College, Pimpri.
Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are skilled specialists who focus on diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide spectrum of conditions related to the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. These professionals are trained to handle both dental and surgical issues pertaining to the jaws often working in multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions.
Some of their major skillset and expertise includes:
1.Trauma and Injury Treatment
It involves repairing fractures of the jaw, cheekbones, and facial bones, as well as injuries to the soft tissues, such as cuts, lacerations, and nerve damage. Immediate intervention is crucial to restore both functionality and aesthetic appearance.
2.Orthognathic Surgery
Maxillofacial surgeons perform corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to address misalignments or deformities of the jaw and face that cause functional problems such as difficulty in chewing, speaking, or breathing. This procedure may also help alleviate issues like sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint (TMJ)disorders.
3.Reconstructive Surgery
These surgeons also specialize in reconstructing the facial and oral structures following tumors, cysts, or trauma. For patients suffering from cancer, maxillofacial surgeons perform complex procedures to remove malignant growths and rebuild facial structures to restore both form and function.
4.Cosmetic Surgery
In addition to corrective surgery, maxillofacial surgeons are trained in cosmetic procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelifts, and chin augmentation. These surgeries focus on improving the aesthetic appearance of the face, often enhancing a patient’s self-esteem and quality of life.
5.Dental Implants and Tooth Removal
Maxillofacial surgeons are proficient in placing dental implants for patients who have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or disease. They are also responsible for the extraction of problematic wisdom teeth and other difficult dental extractions.
6.Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders(TMJ)
TMJ disorders are commonly treated by maxillofacial surgeons, who may perform surgeries to alleviate pain, restore function, and correct jaw misalignment. Non-invasive treatments, such as physical therapy and medication, are also utilized.
Innovations in Head & Neck Surgery
Recent innovations are helping alleviate some of the challenges in maxillofacial surgery and corporate private practice, including:
1.Minimally Invasive Surgery
Advances in minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic surgery and laser treatments, are improving patient outcomes by reducing recovery times, minimizing scarring, and enhancing precision during procedures.
2. 3D Imaging and Planning
The use of 3D imaging and virtual planning software is revolutionizing preoperative assessments, allowing surgeons to plan surgeries with unprecedented accuracy. These technologies improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications during complex surgeries.
3. Patient-Centered Care and Telemedicine
With the rise of telemedicine, maxillofacial surgeons can conduct follow-up consultations and preoperative assessments remotely, enhancing patient accessibility and convenience. Additionally, incorporating patient-centered care models ensures better satisfaction and tailored treatments. In fact surgeons in urban setups at consoles are able to perform remote surgeries in rural areas provided the robot is docked properly by the technicians.
Challenges faced
•Most cases of facial trauma involve interpersonal violence and Road traffic Accidents. They require a medicolegal case to be registered prior to treatment.
•Oral carcinoma predominantly afflicts the lower socio-economic strata and daily wage workers who are under the habit of consuming tobacco in different forms. Due to their habits and lack of resources, they are often uninsured and need to be covered under state welfare schemes.
Conclusion
Incorporation of technology is often exorbitant and there is a learning curve to execute it with precision. There is a need to constantly update and be abreast of the latest literature and technology. Medicos should only pursue surgery if that is where their passion lies!
Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are skilled specialists who focus on diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide spectrum of conditions related to the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. These professionals are trained to handle both dental and surgical issues pertaining to the jaws often working in multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions.
Some of their major skillset and expertise includes:
1.Trauma and Injury Treatment
It involves repairing fractures of the jaw, cheekbones, and facial bones, as well as injuries to the soft tissues, such as cuts, lacerations, and nerve damage. Immediate intervention is crucial to restore both functionality and aesthetic appearance.
2.Orthognathic Surgery
Maxillofacial surgeons perform corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to address misalignments or deformities of the jaw and face that cause functional problems such as difficulty in chewing, speaking, or breathing. This procedure may also help alleviate issues like sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint (TMJ)disorders.
3.Reconstructive Surgery
These surgeons also specialize in reconstructing the facial and oral structures following tumors, cysts, or trauma. For patients suffering from cancer, maxillofacial surgeons perform complex procedures to remove malignant growths and rebuild facial structures to restore both form and function.
4.Cosmetic Surgery
In addition to corrective surgery, maxillofacial surgeons are trained in cosmetic procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelifts, and chin augmentation. These surgeries focus on improving the aesthetic appearance of the face, often enhancing a patient’s self-esteem and quality of life.
5.Dental Implants and Tooth Removal
Maxillofacial surgeons are proficient in placing dental implants for patients who have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or disease. They are also responsible for the extraction of problematic wisdom teeth and other difficult dental extractions.
6.Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders(TMJ)
TMJ disorders are commonly treated by maxillofacial surgeons, who may perform surgeries to alleviate pain, restore function, and correct jaw misalignment. Non-invasive treatments, such as physical therapy and medication, are also utilized.
Innovations in Head & Neck Surgery
Recent innovations are helping alleviate some of the challenges in maxillofacial surgery and corporate private practice, including:
1.Minimally Invasive Surgery
Advances in minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic surgery and laser treatments, are improving patient outcomes by reducing recovery times, minimizing scarring, and enhancing precision during procedures.
2. 3D Imaging and Planning
The use of 3D imaging and virtual planning software is revolutionizing preoperative assessments, allowing surgeons to plan surgeries with unprecedented accuracy. These technologies improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications during complex surgeries.
3. Patient-Centered Care and Telemedicine
With the rise of telemedicine, maxillofacial surgeons can conduct follow-up consultations and preoperative assessments remotely, enhancing patient accessibility and convenience. Additionally, incorporating patient-centered care models ensures better satisfaction and tailored treatments. In fact surgeons in urban setups at consoles are able to perform remote surgeries in rural areas provided the robot is docked properly by the technicians.
Challenges faced
•Most cases of facial trauma involve interpersonal violence and Road traffic Accidents. They require a medicolegal case to be registered prior to treatment.
•Oral carcinoma predominantly afflicts the lower socio-economic strata and daily wage workers who are under the habit of consuming tobacco in different forms. Due to their habits and lack of resources, they are often uninsured and need to be covered under state welfare schemes.
Conclusion
Incorporation of technology is often exorbitant and there is a learning curve to execute it with precision. There is a need to constantly update and be abreast of the latest literature and technology. Medicos should only pursue surgery if that is where their passion lies!
