Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery

Cranio-Maxillo-Facial (CMF) surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and abnormalities of the face, head, and neck. The aim of CMF surgery is to treat complex cranio-maxillofacial defects that cannot be corrected by orthodontics, prosthodontics, and other dental treatments alone, by way of surgical intervention, prosthetics, orthotics, and various reconstructive techniques. CMF surgery has a multi-disciplinary approach and employs a team of specialists such as medical doctors, dental surgeons, orthodontists, and radiologists to bring about the best results. CMF surgery is used to correct deformities resulting from traumatic injury, facial cleft lip and palate, receding jaws, facial tumors, and even birth defects. Reconstructive techniques such as bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis, and orthognathic surgery are also used in CMF surgery. Bone grafting is a commonly performed procedure in CMF surgery. It is used to repair and supplement missing or damaged bone tissue and can also be used to improve the look of a patient’s facial features. Distraction osteogenesis is a method of lengthening or reshaping the jawbone in order to correct facial asymmetries or restore lost dental function. This technique also helps to correct the amount of skull and facial bone as well as facial shape. Maxillofacial surgery is also used to correct cleft lip and palate deformities, and is often combined with orthognathic surgery for jaw reconstruction, facial implants, temporomandibular joint techniques, and rhinoplasty. CMF surgery is very important for overall facial aesthetics and health, as it helps to restore anatomy, function and structure to the entire facial region. By correcting facial disfigurements, CMF surgery is able to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from various deformities. With advances in technology, CMF surgery helps to give people a better, healthier smile.