Maxillofacial surgery is a specialty that deals with the surgical treatment of disorders, injuries and malformations of the jaw, jaws and facial tissues.

It is needed when there are facial fractures, jaw deformities, congenital malformations, tumors or disorders that affect the functionality and esthetics of the facial region.

Procedures include fracture repair, correction of bone malformations, orthognathic surgery to align the jaws, and removal of facial tumors.

The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful.
However, there may be postoperative discomfort and pain that is controlled with medication.

Recovery varies depending on the type of surgery performed, but can generally take between 1 to 6 weeks.
The full recovery and rehabilitation time may be longer.

Care includes following a soft diet, maintaining good oral hygiene, taking prescribed medications, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing.

Most maxillofacial surgery procedures are performed under general anesthesia, although some minor treatments can be done under local anesthesia or conscious sedation.

The time to resume normal activities varies according to the procedure and individual recovery, but most patients can resume light activities in 1 to 2 weeks and more strenuous activities in 6 weeks or more.

Tests may include X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical evaluations to accurately plan the procedure.

As with any surgery, there are risks of infection, bleeding, healing problems and anesthesia-related side effects.
However, these risks are minimal and are managed appropriately.

Surgery can improve facial appearance by correcting deformities and aligning the jaws.
The goal is to restore a natural, balanced appearance, although results may vary.