maxillofacciale

Maxillofacciale is a term used to describe the anatomical region comprising the jaw and midface and, in clinical use, the medical specialty that treats diseases, injuries, defects and deformities of this region. In English the field is often called maxillofacial surgery or oral and maxillofacial surgery. The specialty covers the maxilla and mandible, zygomatic bones, nasal and orbital regions, and related soft tissues, with implications for chewing, speech, appearance, and function.

Practice focuses on diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical and non-surgical care for a range of conditions. Common areas include facial trauma (fractures of the mandible, midface, orbital rims), dentoalveolar pathology, congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, temporomandibular joint disorders, odontogenic infections, benign and malignant tumors of the jaws, reconstructive surgery after oncologic resections, dental implantology, and aesthetic/functional facial rejuvenation.

Training and scope: practitioners typically complete a dental degree (DDS/DMD) and specialized residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, or a medical degree followed by a dedicated maxillofacial surgery program. Certification and licensing vary by country. The field is multidisciplinary, often involving orthodontists, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and anesthesiologists. Imaging uses CT or cone-beam CT, MRI, and panoramic radiography.

Techniques and goals: procedures range from closed and open reduction of fractures, plating and fixation, bone grafting, and microvascular free tissue transfer for complex reconstructions, to dental implants and orthognathic surgery. The field emphasizes both functional restoration and, where appropriate, aesthetic outcomes.