Doctor David Sanz

Maxillofacial Surgeon

Maxillofacial surgery for health and beauty

HPA Magazine 12

Maxillofacial Surgery is a medical specialty that arose from the need toad knowhow from other specialties, such as General Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Stomatology and Dentistry. Maxilo-facial surgery shares all these medical specialties, promoting a multidisciplinary approach, for the benefit of the patient.
This specialty aims at the aesthetic and functional restoration of a specific anatomical area such as: the face, the oral cavity, part of the cranial region or cervical structures.
Daily clinical practice treats trauma of the face, treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the face, orthognathic surgery for the repositioning of the jaws in the treatment of prognathism (protrusion of the lower jaw) or retrognathism (abnormal posterior positioning of the mandible - overbite), surgical treatment of cleft lip or palate, cosmetic surgery of the face and neck such as rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, cheiloplasty, mentoplasty, face and cervical lift, ridectomy, fillers of grooves and depressions. In remodeling and reconstructive surgery of the face, it deals with surgery of the oral cavity such as excision of oral lesions, cysts or maxillary tumors, extraction of impacted teeth or placement of implants. Maxillofacial Surgery also involves the treatment of temporomandibular joint pathologies (joint that allows opening and closing of the mouth), treatment of salivary gland pathology (biopsies, surgery of benign and malignant tumors, removal of salivary gland stones), treatment of oral, facial and cervical infections such as drainage of abscesses.

Maxillofacial surgery & orthognathic surgery

Orthognathic surgery is used to correct the position of the upper and lower jaw. For example, protruding jaw (mandibular prognathism) or overbite (retrognathism), advanced upper teeth (open bite) or overlapping lateral teeth (crossbite).
Although it is commonly thought that physical traits do not go beyond family genetics, it is these factors that trigger bone growth abnormalities of the face. The truth is, that it is an inadequate positioning of the maxillary bone and mandible that, in addition to impairing facial features, also affect basic functions such as biting, chewing, speaking and even breathing. For quality of life not to be compromised, this is a problem that must be solved (preferably only when the bone is fully developed). 
Why surgery? Considering that it is a misalignment of the jaw, it is natural to think that dental braces can quickly solve the issue. The truth is that in some cases, braces will not be enough to solve the problem. The underlying problem that needs intervention lies in the positioning of the bones. The use of braces may damage the teeth and these can sometimes return to the initial position. The desired aesthetic and functional result will not be achieved and the problem will not be solved. Braces can be used as part of the treatment after surgery to correct the position of the teeth enabling them to adapt to the new position of the bone, to guarantee stability and future health. In some cases, after surgery it is possible to opt for transparent type device /braces (Invisalign).
This surgery is performed regularly with 3D planning. The postoperative is not painful and the results are immediate and predictable, positively promoting patients' self-esteem. As the intervention is carried out inside the mouth there are no scars. After the surgery, some edema is expected, which disappears after 4-5 days. Elastics must be removed during meals. To finalize the process, a few physiotherapy sessions are recommended to improve postoperative recovery.