For most people a visit to the dentist’s office usually means teeth cleaning or the repair of minor problems such as filling in a cavity. However, some folks don’t have that luxury due to problems with facial construction, jaw alignment and various other issues such as TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) disorder. In fact, Maxillofacial Surgery Effingham IL can reduce the daily pain level of many patients by eliminating the source of the problem.
One of the more common reasons the people require Maxillofacial Surgery Effingham IL is the TMJ disorder. When this problem reaches advanced stages, it can be very difficult for people to bite, chew or even speak. The problem is often found when the patient notices popping in the hinge of the jaws. Other symptoms can include tension in the jaw ligaments and failure to chew properly. Some side effects of this disease can include sharp, stabbing pains in the neck, a limited range of motion and even extreme discomfort.
Facial surgery may also be required for certain dental treatments such as dental implants and bone grafts. The latter is necessary for procedures like implants or building up bone mass to support a dental prosthetic. This is often a problem for long term denture wearers and results in slipping dentures or dentures that no longer fit correctly. Bone loss can affect the strength of existing teeth as well. Consider the case of an extraction. As the wound heals, the gum and bone tissue will collapse a bit to cover the area. This will affect any existing teeth by causing a shift in position or angle and leaving a weak spot beside the remaining teeth.
A facial surgeon may also be useful for fixing certain breathing problems such as sleep apnea. This particular ailment can be caused by jaw alignment or the failure to close the mouth while sleeping. The treatment varies with the actual problem and can best be treated by experts such as those at The Center For Jaw and Facial Surgery P.C. The first step is to take the problem to a specialist and determine exactly what is going on. Sometimes, the actual issue is not what the patient expected and sometimes, the solution is much easier than they imagined.
