Questions About Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery

What Is Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery?

Maxillofacial reconstructive surgery is reconstructive surgery performed on the facial region. This includes the underlying bony structures like facial bones and jaws.

When Is Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery Performed?

Maxillofacial reconstructive surgery is conducted in order to correct various injuries, defects, and deformities in the facial region. When facial tissues and muscles are damaged through facial trauma, tumors, or when a patient was born with a facial disorder that compromises their quality of life and functionality, than maxillofacial reconstructive surgery is required.

Maxillofacial reconstructive surgery includes the diagnosis, surgical treatment, restoration of muscle functionality, and preservation of facial aesthetics.

What Can Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery Treat?

Surgical treatment is the next step once a disorder has been diagnosed or facial trauma inflicted. Common disorders and diseases that are treated include:

• Deformities after facial trauma
• Reconstruction of jaw and facial defects after tumor surgery
• Restore the jaw bones to be able to receive dental implants
• A patient’s sinus cavities are too low for a dental implant, necessitating a sinus lift
• A birth defects like cleft lip and palate (alveolar bone grafting)
• Facial deformities that are acquired or hereditary (orthognathic surgery) 

What Training Have Maxillofacial Surgeons Undergone?

Since oral and maxillofacial surgery is internationally recognized as a surgical specialty, practitioners are highly trained, have spent up to 12 years in medical and dental education, and have extensive training.

This typically includes:

• 4 years of undergraduate study
• 4 years of dental education
• 4-6 years of residency training and medical education
• Examination to become certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (international surgeons are certified by organizations dependent on their nation of practice)
• Many surgeons pursue an advanced fellowship for 1-2 years, focusing on either craniofacial/pediatric maxillofacial surgery, head and neck cancer, facial cosmetic surgery, or maxillofacial trauma surgery

What Is Dr. Daria Hamrah’s Experience?

Dr. Hamrah’s qualifications are as extensive as they come:

• He graduated at the top of his class from the prestigious Johannes-Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, where he received a Doctorate of Dental Medicine
• A postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University with focus on head and neck cancer
• Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and Anesthesia internships at Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago, respectively.
• Oral and Maxillofacial surgery residency at one of the worlds top programs at the University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL
• Facial Cosmetic Surgery fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center/ Willow Bend Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dallas, Texas. 

If you live in the Washington, D.C. or northern Virginia areas and are considering maxillofacial reconstructive surgery, please contact Dr. Hamrah today to schedule your personal consultation.