Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery are scarce in Hong Kong

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is an important dental specialty in Hong Kong, focusing on the treatment and restoration of complex dental problems of the mouth, teeth, jawbones and face. The number of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Hong Kong is quite limited, and the vast majority of them are graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Hong Kong, which was once ranked first in the world. According to the Specialist List published by the Dental Council of Hong Kong in August 2024, there are currently only 66 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Hong Kong, with a population of more than 7 million, with an average of one oral and maxillofacial surgeon per 100,000 people.

Experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons are able to provide a high level of care. For example, for patients at risk of diatrial ulceration due to osteoporosis, a general dentist will refer a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialty is not limited to the above common dental problems, but also covers more complex surgeries and treatments.

Major areas and treatment items

1. Repair surgery for maxillofacial fractures and injuries to facial structures

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are equipped to manage facial fractures and structural injuries that can effectively repair injuries to the oral cavity caused by accidents such as car accidents, strenuous sports, falls or fights, such as facial bones, facial bones and skull fractures, to restore the patient's normal function and appearance such as chewing and speech. Oral and maxillofacial surgery services are also available in public hospitals in Hong Kong, but due to the time-consignment schedule and the limited availability of very severe cases, some patients choose to seek help from private oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

2. Diseases such as oral tumors or tissue hyperplasia

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat all types of benign and malignant tumors and tissue growths in the oral cavity, and provide comprehensive health management and treatment options. If you smoke or drink alcohol for a long time, it is recommended to go to the dental clinic regularly every 6 months or a year for regular check-up as they belong to the high-risk group of oral cancer, so as to detect it early and treat it early, and try to control the disease as much as possible.

3. Cosmetic dental surgery to correct the diaigo

Some people in Hong Kong refer to oral and maxillofacial surgeons simply as cosmetic dentists. This is because if the patient suffers from color deformities, such as a chin that is too long or too short, the upper jaw is too convex or too concave, the face is crooked and asymmetrical, and the teeth are whistled, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon can effectively improve the above problems through complex restorative surgery or in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.

4. Complex dental implant surgery

Dental implant surgery is a method of filling missing teeth by implanting an artificial tooth root made of titanium into the alveolar bone of the missing tooth, and then creating a denture on the artificial tooth root after it has healed. Dental implants are generally more effective than traditional dentures in terms of aesthetics, comfort and bite force, but the price is higher than that of removable dentures. If dental implants need to be located close to the nerves, then an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can effectively improve the safety of the procedure.

5. Sinus lift surgery

If a patient with severe periodontal disease needs dental implantation in the posterior area of the upper janic, because the alveolar bone has been severely resorbed during tooth extraction, the bone mass is not enough to hold the implant firmly, then an oral and maxillofacial surgeon needs to be involved in the sinus lift surgery to ensure that the alveolar bone can fully accommodate the implant and improve the success rate of dental implant.

6. Treatment of temporal joint disorders

For TMD, oral and maxillofacial surgeons can provide a comprehensive treatment plan to relieve pain and restore normal motor function. They have encountered some patients who have long-term difficulty in opening their mouths and abnormal pain, such as making sounds when opening and closing their mouths, skewing when opening their mouths, and pain when biting food, they will see different doctors, but the final result may only be to get painkillers to relieve the pain for a while and not completely solve the problem. At this time, the patient may consider consulting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to determine the cause, some of which require simple medication or relaxation therapy, while others require surgery.

7. Surgical treatment and later repair of cleft lip

Cleft lip is a common congenital facial defect in Hong Kong and one of the most treatable facial defects. If patients are treated at the right age, their appearance and self-confidence will be the same as that of other people. In Hong Kong, there is about one patient for every 600 to 700 newborn babies. When it comes to managing cleft lip and cheek, oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer a comprehensive range of surgical treatments, including alveolar bone grafting or corrective diatrial surgery, and post-repair options to help patients regain a confident smile.

8. Dental pain and sleep apnea

Specialist dentists are able to diagnose and provide oral appliances or perform surgical treatments to improve respiratory problems for patients suffering from sleep apnea.

When do I need to choose a specialist dentist?

When you need more complex dental treatments, such as suspected oral tumors or tissue growths, complex smart tooth extractions, tooth extractions that require jaw correction to improve appearance, or tooth extractions that require careful management due to osteoporosis, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the best choice for you.

Start your journey to transform your smile

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Home Dental not only provides professional dental services, but also emphasizes the individual needs of patients. In addition, we have a Dental Day Procedure Centre regulated by the Department of Health in Hong Kong to provide dental anaesthesia and other treatment services. Contact Home Dental today to schedule an oral and maxillofacial surgery consultation and let us provide you with the most suitable treatment plan!

How to make an appointment

1. WhatsApp button on the website  (priority recommendation) - get in touch with us now!
2. Call 3956 9387  (during office hours).

If you would like to learn more about orthodontics, please click here to read our educational article for a quick look.