Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialist area of surgery that deals with problems with your mouth, face, jaw and neck. It includes the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions, including head and neck cancers, infections, facial disfigurement due to injury or disease, and problems with your salivary glands, jaws and teeth. 

A consultant working in oral and maxillofacial surgery is called an oral maxillofacial surgeon. They are qualified in both oral and dental surgery and have undergone extensive additional training in oral maxillofacial surgery. Oral maxillofacial surgeons commonly work with other specialists such as oral surgeons, dental surgeons, orthodontists, trauma surgeons and cancer specialists. 

You may need to have oral maxillofacial surgery if you have a condition or injury involving your face, jaws, mouth and neck that can be treated with surgery. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a broad speciality covering many different procedures. The cost of your treatment will depend on which type of surgery you are having, as well as the hospital and consultant you choose. Many of our individual treatment pages include guide prices, and you can also call our team and request a tailored quote for a specific procedure.

You can access private oral and maxillofacial surgery with us using private medical insurance or by paying for your own treatment.

Often, oral and maxillofacial surgery will be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy.

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your surgery. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests won't be included, but the cost of your surgery and hospital fees are, and so is your aftercare programme. There are no hidden costs down the line.

Oral maxillofacial surgery encompasses a range of conditions, each with its own signs and symptoms. Some general symptoms of oral maxillofacial conditions include: 

• Facial pain, swelling or numbness
• Jaw pain or clicking
• Difficulty opening your mouth, moving your jaw, or chewing 
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Changes to your voice
• Loose teeth
• Red, bleeding, swollen or painful gums 
• Red or white patches inside your mouth
• Frequent mouth ulcers 
• Persistent bad breath
• Lumps in your neck
• Bleeding in your mouth
• Unexplained weight loss

Oral maxillofacial surgeons treat a wide range of conditions affecting the mouth, face, teeth, skull and jaw. Treatment may include prescribing medications, non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures, and surgery. Some common conditions that can be treated by oral maxillofacial surgeons include:

Tooth extraction 

Tooth extraction is the removal of one or more teeth and may be carried out due to tooth decay, gum disease, a dental abscess or trauma. You may also need to have your wisdom teeth removed if they are causing problems. Tooth extraction is normally done under a local anaesthetic, meaning that you are awake during the procedure, but your mouth is numb, and you won’t feel any pain. It is performed as a day case and you’ll be able to go home after your procedure.

Mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are small, painful sores that develop inside your mouth. They are very common and usually get better on their own without treatment. Mouth ulcers can have several causes, including an injury such as a cut or burn inside your mouth, poorly fitting dentures or braces, hormonal changes and stress.

Most mouth ulcers are harmless, but severe or recurrent mouth ulcers may be a sign of an underlying condition such as a vitamin deficiency, infection or weakened immune system.

Head and neck cancers

Oral maxillofacial surgeons can treat head and neck cancers, a group of cancers affecting the eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth, throat or salivary glands. Head and neck cancers are relatively rare and have several causes, including smoking and alcohol consumption.

Facial trauma

Traumatic injuries affecting the face, mouth, and jaw may need to be treated by an oral maxillofacial surgeon. These may include fractures, lacerations (cuts), nerve damage and soft tissue injuries.

Facial deformities

Oral maxillofacial surgery can be used to correct congenital (present at birth) facial deformities such as a cleft lip and palate, and facial deformities that occur later in life due to injury or diseases like cancer.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition that causes pain, locking and difficulty moving your jaw. The cause of TMJ disorders isn’t always clear, but it may occur due to grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, excessive gum chewing or stress.

Salivary gland diseases 

Salivary gland diseases include a range of conditions that affect your salivary glands, glands in your mouth that produce saliva (spit). Saliva helps keep your mouth clean and lubricated, helps you chew and swallow food, and starts the digestive process. 

There are several salivary gland diseases, including:

• Infections: Can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi
• Salivary stones (sialolithiasis): stones caused by calcium deposits can form in your salivary ducts, blocking the flow of saliva and causing pain and swelling
• Salivary gland tumours: Are usually benign, but in rare cases can be cancerous 
• Sjögren's syndrome: This is an autoimmune disease that can affect your salivary glands, causing a dry mouth and other symptoms
• Salivary gland cysts: Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in your salivary glands due to obstruction, injury, infection or congenital abnormalities

Oral infections and abscesses

An oral infection is an infection in your mouth, usually caused by bacteria. An oral abscess, also known as a dental abscess, is a pus-filled pocket,  typically in your teeth or gums, that can develop as a result of the infection. Symptoms of an oral infection include pain, swelling, and sometimes a fever (high temperature). 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can treat many conditions affecting the mouth, face, skull and jaw and perform a range of surgical procedures. Some common oral and maxillofacial treatments include:

Corrective jaw surgery 

Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct uneven or crooked jawbones that may affect your appearance, bite, and other jaw functions that cannot be corrected with braces. It works by realigning your jaws and teeth to give you a more symmetrical appearance and improve the function of your jaw. Jaw surgery is often performed in combination with orthodontic treatment to achieve the best results. It is performed under a general anaesthetic and involves making incisions in your jawbones (usually on the inside of your mouth) and moving them into the correct position. Plates, screws and wires may be used to keep them in position, and, in some cases, your consultant may add extra bone to your jaw using a bone graft. Recovery from this kind of surgery normally takes around six weeks, and full healing up to 12 weeks.

Facial reconstruction surgery

Facial reconstruction surgery is a specialised type of plastic surgery that is used to restore the appearance and function of your face. It can be used to treat facial disfigurement due to trauma, congenital deformities, or disease and includes bone and tissue reconstruction or repair, skin grafts, and microsurgery. Facial reconstruction surgery is often highly complex, and you may need to have several procedures to achieve the desired result.

Head and neck cancer treatment

Treatment for head and neck cancers depends on several factors such as the location, type, and stage of your cancer, as well as your age, general health and expectations for treatment. Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy called chemoradiation. 

Cleft lip and palate surgery

Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions (conditions a baby is born with) where the lip and/or palate fail to close (fuse) while the baby is developing in the womb. It can be corrected with surgery to close the lip and palate. 

Cleft lip surgery is normally performed at around three months of age, and palate surgery at between six and 12 months. Some children may need further surgery to improve the appearance of the nose, lips or jaw, correct a cleft in the gum, and help with any ongoing speech problems. 

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder treatment

Temporomandibular joint disorder treatment usually starts with nonsurgical treatments such as home care, medication, physiotherapy, and the use of mouthguards, dental bite aids or splints. If these treatments are not effective, your consultant may recommend surgery. 

Surgical procedures for temporomandibular joint disorder include: 

• Arthrocentesis: A minimally invasive procedure that flushes out the joint with sterile fluid to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve jaw function and movement
• Eminectomy: A procedure that involves removing or reshaping the articular eminence (a bony projection on the temporal bone) to treat recurrent dislocations due to TMJ disorder
• Meniscectomy: An operation to treat pain, clicking and reduced jaw movement by removing all or part of a damaged cartilage disc (meniscus) in the temporomandibular joint
• Joint replacement: This is a treatment for severe TMJ disorder that involves replacing your damaged jaw joint with an artificial one. It may be considered when other treatments haven’t worked

Salivary gland disease treatment 

Treatment for salivary gland diseases depends on the type and severity of your condition, and may include medication to treat pain or infection, lifestyle changes and in some cases, surgery to drain abscesses, or remove stones or tumours. 

Mouth ulcer treatment 

Mouth ulcer treatment may involve advice on preventing mouth ulcers, home treatments, over-the-counter and prescription medications and diagnosing and treating any underlying health conditions. If you have severe or recurrent mouth ulcers that don’t go away with other treatments, your consultant may recommend a biopsy to further investigate the cause. A biopsy is carried out under local anaesthetic and involves removing a small sample of abnormal tissue and sending it to the laboratory to be checked under a microscope for disease or other abnormalities. 

Unless your GP or insurer has told you otherwise, the first step in booking your treatment is usually an initial consultation with a specialist consultant in oral and maxillofacial surgery. 

Your consultant will assess your symptoms and general health, spend time getting to know you, and create a personalised treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. 

Booking a consultation is easy, and you can either do this by calling our dedicated team of friendly advisors or by using our easy online booking system. 

Circle Health Group is a leader in providing the best in private healthcare and has the expertise and experience to put your mind at rest and ensure you get the most up-to-date treatment and care.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suits your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities with expert multidisciplinary care 
• Private ensuite rooms as standard, and a range of delicious, healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about private treatment for oral and maxillofacial surgery, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

1. Oral and maxillofacial surgery, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2. What is Oral and maxillofacial surgery?, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
3. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England