Kraniomaxillofacial

Craniomaxillofacial is a medical specialty that focuses on disorders of the skull, face, jaws, and related soft tissues. The field aims to restore form and function through surgical and non-surgical interventions and involves collaboration with disciplines such as dentistry, plastic surgery, ENT, neurosurgery, and orthodontics.

It covers congenital conditions like craniosynostosis, cleft lip and palate, midfacial hypoplasia, and facial asymmetry, as well as acquired conditions from trauma, tumors, infections, or deformities. The specialty also addresses functional problems such as malocclusion, airway obstruction, speech and swallowing disorders, and sleep-disordered breathing.

Typical procedures include orthognathic surgery to correct jaw alignment, craniofacial reconstruction, cranial vault remodeling for certain congenital conditions, distraction osteogenesis, fracture repair, implant placement, and soft-tissue reconstruction. Advances in 3D imaging, virtual surgical planning, and patient-specific implants have improved precision and outcomes, enabling more complex reconstructions and customized treatment plans.

Training and practice vary by country but generally require education in dentistry or medicine followed by specialty residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery or plastic surgery with a craniofacial focus. The field has historical roots in the work of pioneers who developed craniofacial techniques for functional and aesthetic improvement. The overarching goal of craniomaxillofacial care is to restore function, enhance facial harmony, and improve the quality of life for patients with complex craniofacial conditions.