Surgery

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Learn More About Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on correcting problems caused by anomalies with the upper and lower jaws, as well as other bone-related issues. These skilled surgeons work on problems that cause sleep apnea, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders – often a “popping” or “click” in the jaw when opening and closing the mouth – and other facial-related maladies that can seriously affect one’s quality of life.

Surgery is often the best and only option to completely remedy a patient’s problems. And when you need a procedure, you want the best oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon you can find. Our skilled medical doctors at North Carolina Specialty Hospital</a> can perform amazing procedures that can mean the difference between a life of pain brought on by an untreated condition and a pain-free life filled with smiles and happiness.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fixes Serious Problems

Many procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons are quite complex and occur in multiple stages as opposed to a single event, such as a trip to the dentist. Jaw surgeries such as orthognathic surgery and LeFort surgeries take a lot of planning and preparation. These procedures involve repositioning the upper and lower jaws to address serious health issues, such as misaligned jaw bones or a patient’s uneven bite.

Patients who need these procedures, either through a congenital condition from birth or perhaps an injury or medical issue, will often have trouble eating and talking due to a misalignment of their upper and lower jaws. Their teeth don’t line up. Their upper and lower jaws don’t mesh properly.

In addition to the surgeries themselves, there are procedures to prepare the patient’s teeth for surgery and often an extended recovery time. But the results of these procedures are a vastly improved quality of life with fewer health risks in the long term. The patients emerge healthier and often with a renewed sense of confidence as they interact with the world around them.

Life-Changing Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the ones to turn to for cleft lip and palate repair and reconstruction. Cleft lips and palates are birth defects where the upper lip and/or the palate doesn’t fuse properly, leaving an unsightly, often startling-to-see, deformity on a child’s face. This condition can be quite painful and make it difficult for children, and later as adults, to eat and speak properly. Plus, there is the social stigma of having the cleft lip, which often makes these patients outcasts and shunned, leading to social isolation and loneliness.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons routinely repair these two conditions, giving these patients a new lease on life, not only because of the medical benefits of being able to eat, breathe, and talk better, but also giving them an opportunity to live a normal life in their communities.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Not-So-Silent but Serious Disorder

Obstructive sleep apnea is another condition that can be addressed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the various structures in the patient’s mouth and throat, such as tonsils, the tongue, or muscles, obstruct airflow into the lungs while sleeping.

This not only causes annoying snoring and gasping, but it can also be a life-threatening condition. The patient will stop breathing, sometimes hundreds of times a night, while sleeping. This deprives the body of oxygen, making sleep less restorative, and can also lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and even stroke.

This sleep deprivation can also contribute to countless safety issues. Lack of sleep has been linked to car accidents and industrial accidents. Drowsy driving is a serious issue, and the sleep deprivation caused by obstructive sleep apnea can be a cause of drivers nodding off at the wheel. In addition, it increases the risk of falls in older patients, leading to serious fractures and injuries.

North Carolina Specialty Hospital is Ready to Help You

The oral and maxillofacial surgeons at North Carolina Specialty Hospital are among the best in their field. With state-of-the-art procedures and technology, our highly skilled surgeons are ready to deliver the best care and the right procedures, all designed to give you the best outcome possible, in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
Schedule an appointment and find out more about our surgeons at North Carolina Specialty Hospital. Visit our Physicians area on our website. You can also use our online Contact Us form to start the process of scheduling an appointment or getting your questions answered. You can also call (919) 956-9300 to talk to someone now.

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