Conditions We Treat
The expert Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons at UI Health specialize in treating a variety of diseases, disorders, and injuries of the face, jaw, mouth, and teeth. Our areas of expertise include:
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and palate are openings or split in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both. This is a common birth defect that occurs while a child is developing in the womb. These facial and oral malformation can result difficulty speaking and feeding. Reconstructive and corrective surgery can help restore facial appearance and function for those with cleft lip and palate.
Chronic Facial & Oral Pain Conditions
Chronic oral and facial pain conditions include chronic headaches, jaw pain/disorders, breathing issues, or habits such as teeth grinding. Sometimes the causes of facial pains are associated with underlying diseases, including head and neck cancers, oral lesions, or other oral conditions. Our specialists work closely with primary physicians and other providers to plan the most effective course of treatment for you.
Dental Implants
Our surgeons work closely with other dental specialists - including prosthodontists and periodontists - to treat missing teeth with dental implant placement, and bone grafting to the jaws and sinus. Implant surgery also includes the installation of maxillofacial implants around the face for attaching craniofacial prostheses and bone-anchored hearing aids.
Facial Trauma
Facial trauma is any injury or deep physical damage to the face. Facial trauma can involve soft-tissue injuries such as burns, cuts, and bruises, or facial bone fractures like a broken nose, cheek, skull fractures, or jaw- or eye-socket injuries. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons have an essential role in the Trauma team and manage all types of acute maxillofacial injuries including hard and soft tissue trauma.
Maxillofacial Skeletal Deformities
Maxillofacial skeletal deformities are malformations in the bones or soft tissues of the jaws and face. They range from mild to severe and may have aesthetic and or functional effects on your life. Causes can be related to congenital conditions like cleft lip and palate; overbite and underbite problems; diseases such as cancer; or can be from a traumatic accident.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ)
Temporomandibular joint disorders - also known as TMJ - are problems related to the jaw joint that can develop for many reasons, such as clenching or grinding your teeth and tightening your jaw muscles, which can cause stress and potential damage to your jaw joint. Injuries or disease also can damage the jaw joint or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk that acts as the "cushion" of the jaw joint, can slip out of position, resulting in TMJ.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most-common form - obstructive sleep apnea - occurs when throat muscles relax and block airways. If left untreated, it is potentially dangerous to your health and well-being. Our Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons specialize in surgical treatments for sleep apnea, including maxillomandibular advancement orthognathic surgery, and are part of a multidisciplinary board that collaborates with other providers and sleep centers to treat this disorder.
