Maxillofacial Implants
Understanding Dental and Maxillofacial Implants
There are many reasons why a person might require dental or maxillofacial implants. An accident or improper growth are some very common reasons why someone may require a surgical procedure and implants to correct their condition. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is one who specializes in surgical procedures dealing with the mouth, jaw, face, and sometimes the skull. Any time a serious injury or deformity occurs in one of these areas of the head, it is the oral and maxillofacial surgeon that will need to be seen. Once the situation has been evaluated, the surgeon would be able to say whether or not a prosthetic implant is necessary.
So, what types of conditions is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon most likely to correct using maxillofacial implants? Well, there are plenty of conditions out there, and some are quite unique, but the first we're going to talk about is TMJ (temporomandibular joint) damage, as this is one of the most common. The temporomandibular joints are located at the corner of the jaws near the ear. TMJ disorders can occur as a simple result of improper development or due to an injury. People with a TMJ disorder are likely to experience pain or tenderness when opening or closing the jaw, headaches, difficulty chewing, and sometimes a locking of the jaw (a condition known as lock-jaw). An easy-to-spot symptom of a TMJ disorder is a clicking or popping sound that occurs when the mouth is opened or closed. Sometimes a grating sensation may be present as well.
There is a disk located in the TMJ joint that can sometimes move out of place. If this occurs, or if the disk has eroded or been damaged beyond repair, it could be necessary for maxillofacial implants to be installed. These implants are often composed of a very durable metal, such as titanium or stainless steel and are cemented to the surrounding bone to offer support and stability. Another method of maxillofacial implantation at the TMJ is through biological fixation. Through this method, the implant is fixed securely to the bone and then the jaw is immobilized. The jaw must not be able to move until the bone has grown naturally around the implant, making it biologically fixed into the bone. The downside to this is that one would have to have their jaw immobilized for quite some time for the prosthetic to become ingrown, which many people are unwilling to undergo.
Other conditions, such as having an asymmetrical face, incorrect bite, jaw or cheekbone fractures, and fractures of the eye socket are all serious conditions which would require a surgical procedure performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The necessity of an actual implant depends upon the amount of damage that has been done. For instance, shattering a section of one's jaw in a motorcycle accident would likely require some form of reconstructive implant to be installed. As with a TMJ implant, the material would be made of a very sturdy metal and would likely be affixed with cement.
While dental and maxillofacial implants can definitely be life-changing procedures, implants are not without their risks and faults. For instance, it is possible for an implant to loosen over time. There is a worry that when one has a prosthetic piece implanted, the cement binding the prosthetic piece to the bone could loosen and detach from the metal prosthetic. The cement may then scrape against the prosthetic which, over time, can result in loss of bone where the cement is located. Also, in areas where the damage has been quite significant, it can be difficult to attach a prosthetic piece to damaged tissue. While it can be done, it could result in further damage to the tissues or dislocation of the prosthetic piece due to an inability to hold onto brittle bone.
When considering the option of a prosthetic dental or maxillofacial implant, it is important to discuss all pros and cons with a doctor and to prepare for any eventualities that could occur.