Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) encompasses procedures addressing conditions of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. These range from wisdom tooth removal and dental implant placement to reconstructive surgery for facial trauma and jaw deformities.

Indications Benefits Techniques Process Risks Why choose Us FAQ

What is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)?

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) focuses on diagnosing and managing complex conditions that affect both the functional and structural aspects of the facial skeleton. This includes procedures involving bone, soft tissue, and dentition—often requiring advanced surgical planning, multidisciplinary care, and high precision to restore harmony between appearance and oral function.

Common Conditions Treated with OMFS

Patients typically consult OMFS specialists when experiencing specific symptoms or following a referral from their dentist or physician.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

You may experience pain, swelling, or recurring infections at the back of your mouth. Removing these problematic third molars prevents damage to adjacent teeth and eliminates persistent discomfort.
Missing Teeth

Gaps in your smile can affect both function and confidence. Dental implants provide permanent tooth replacement by securing titanium posts into your jawbone as foundations for prosthetic teeth.
Jaw Function Problems

Difficulty chewing, speaking, or persistent jaw pain may indicate skeletal misalignment. Orthognathic surgery corrects the position of your upper and lower jaws to improve daily function and relieve discomfort.
Facial Injuries

Accidents or impacts can result in fractured facial bones or damaged soft tissues. Surgical repair restores proper facial structure and function following these traumatic events.
Oral Growths

You may notice persistent lumps, ulcers, or white patches in your mouth. Surgical removal allows for proper diagnosis and treatment of cysts, tumours, and precancerous lesions.
Jaw Joint Discomfort

Clicking sounds, restricted opening, or pain when chewing may signal Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Surgery addresses structural joint problems when non-surgical approaches have been unsuccessful.
Facial Development Issues

Noticeable asymmetry or functional problems from birth conditions affect both appearance and function. Corrective procedures for conditions like cleft palate restore normal developmental patterns.
Breathing Interruptions During Sleep

Your partner may notice you stop breathing during sleep, or you experience excessive daytime fatigue. Surgical modification of jaw position and airway structures can resolve obstructive sleep apnoea when other treatments fail.

Benefits of OMFS Procedures

Patients who undergo oral and maxillofacial surgery typically experience several measurable improvements.

Restored Eating Ability

Following jaw realignment or dental implant placement, patients can chew properly again. This improvement allows for better nutrition and enjoyment of a wider variety of foods.
Resolution of Oral Pain

Surgical intervention eliminates pain sources such as impacted teeth, jaw misalignment, or TMJ dysfunction. Patients often report relief from chronic discomfort that previously affected daily activities.
Balanced Facial Structure

Corrective jaw procedures create proper proportional relationships between facial features. These structural improvements harmonise appearance while simultaneously enhancing functional capabilities.
Reduced Infection Risk

Timely removal of problematic teeth and pathological tissue prevents the spread of infection to surrounding structures. This preventive approach protects both oral and overall health.
Preserved Jawbone Volume

Bone grafting procedures maintain the structural integrity of the jaw following tooth loss. This preservation ensures the jaw remains strong enough to support dental implants or conventional dental prosthetics.
Normalised Breathing Patterns

Surgical correction of airway obstructions allows for uninterrupted breathing during sleep.

Surgical Approaches for Maxillofacial Conditions

The following techniques are employed based on individual patient needs and specific conditions.

Minimally Invasive Surgery	This approach uses specialised instruments through small access points to treat conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. Patients typically experience less post-operative discomfort and faster recovery times.
Combined Orthodontic-Surgical Correction	Complex bite irregularities benefit from a coordinated treatment approach. This method aligns both teeth and jaws for functional results that remain stable long-term.
Tissue Reconstruction	Following trauma or tumour removal, surgical techniques rebuild facial structures to restore both appearance and function. This approach focuses on recreating normal facial contours while preserving nerve function and movement capabilities.

What to Expect Before, During and After OMFS Surgery?

Before Surgery

Initial Assessment: Your condition will be evaluated through clinical examination and appropriate imaging studies. This comprehensive evaluation creates a personalised treatment plan addressing your specific needs.
Health Review: Bring a complete list of your medical conditions and medications to ensure your procedure is tailored to your overall health status. This information helps minimise risks and optimise your surgical outcome.
Detailed Imaging: 3D scans provide a precise map of your oral and facial structures. These images allow for detailed pre-surgical planning and guide the surgical procedure with accuracy.
Medicine Management: You’ll receive instructions about which medications to continue, pause, or adjust before surgery. Some medicines that affect blood clotting typically need temporary adjustment 5-7 days before surgery with your doctor’s approval.
Pre-surgery Guidelines: Follow specific instructions about eating, drinking, and medication use in the hours before your procedure. These guidelines typically include fasting from food and drink for 6-8 hours before surgery to ensure safe anaesthesia.
Orthodontic Preparation: For jaw correction surgeries, you may undergo several months of braces treatment to position your teeth properly. This preparation ensures your teeth will align correctly when your jaws are repositioned during surgery.
Nutrition Planning: Stock appropriate soft foods and nutritional supplements before your surgery date. Preparing meal options in advance ensures proper nutrition during the initial recovery period when chewing may be limited.
Home Setup: Arrange a recovery area with elevated pillows, ice packs, and easily accessible necessities before your surgery day. Having these items ready will make your at-home recovery more comfortable.

During Surgery

Personalised Anaesthesia: Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on surgery complexity.
Incision Placement: Incisions are often placed inside the mouth to minimize visible scarring.
Jaw Repositioning: Bones are repositioned following the surgical plan and secured with small plates and screws.
Stabilisation: Titanium plates and screws secure bones during healing and typically remain permanently.
Implant Positioning: If needed, implants are precisely placed.
Bleeding Control: Bleeding is minimized to aid recovery.
Closure: Tissues are closed carefully with sutures.
Protective Measures: Temporary packing, splints, or other protective devices may may be placed and later removed.

Post-Surgery Recovery

First 48 Hours: Apply cold compresses to your face for 20-minute intervals to control swelling.
Discomfort Management: Take prescribed pain medication according to the schedule provided, typically before the anaesthetic effect wears off.
Oral Cleanliness: Clean your mouth as directed using the specific rinse or irrigation techniques demonstrated by your surgical team.
Eating Appropriately: Follow the specific diet progression, usually starting with clear liquids and advancing to full liquids, then soft foods. Each phase typically lasts 1-2 weeks depending on your procedure and healing progress.
Activity Limitations: Avoid strenuous physical activities and heavy lifting (anything over 5kg) for the prescribed period, typically 2-4 weeks.
Managing Swelling: Expect maximum facial swelling 48-72 hours after surgery before gradual improvement. Sleep with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows for the first week to minimise fluid accumulation.
Scheduled Reviews: Attend all follow-up appointments to have sutures removed and healing assessed.
Ongoing Maintenance: Follow specific long-term care instructions to maintain results. Regular dental examinations every six months help ensure continued successful outcomes.

Risks and Considerations with OMFS Procedures

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries are generally successful, but some risks exist, including temporary numbness around the lips, cheeks, or tongue which typically improves within weeks to months, a small risk of infection that is usually managed with antibiotics, expected swelling and bruising that resolves gradually, temporary limitations in jaw movement that improve with exercises, and, rarely, dental implant failure that may require additional treatment. Your surgeon will review any specific risks related to your surgery during your consultation.

Why choose us at Aesthetic Reconstructive Jaw Surgery Singapore?

Dr. S L Chan, a highly experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, heads Aesthetic Jaw Surgery. His practice encompasses a comprehensive range of procedures, from dental implants and wisdom tooth extraction to corrective jaw surgery, addressing diverse conditions of the mouth, teeth, and face. Since 2006, Dr. Chan has served on the Singapore Dental Council, where he holds the positions of Chairman for both the Credentials Committee and the Aesthetic Facial Procedures Oversight Committee. Aesthetic Jaw Surgery emphasizes personalized, high-quality patient care, utilizing advanced techniques and technology under Dr. Chan’s dedicated leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I manage daily activities during recovery?

Most patients need assistance with meals, transportation, and household tasks for the first few days. Simple procedures may allow return to desk work within 3-5 days, while major jaw surgery typically requires 2-3 weeks before returning to non-physical work.

What sensations should I expect after surgery?

Patients commonly experience facial numbness, tightness, and occasional sharp sensations during healing. These feelings are normal and gradually resolve as swelling decreases and nerves recover from surgical trauma.

Will my diet need long-term modification?

Most dietary restrictions are temporary during the healing phase. Initial liquid diet requirements gradually transition to soft foods and eventually to normal eating. Major jaw surgeries typically require dietary modifications for 6-8 weeks, while simpler procedures may allow normal eating within 1-2 weeks.

How noticeable will changes be after jaw surgery?

Facial profile changes following orthognathic surgery are generally most apparent to the patient while seeming more subtle to others. Before-and-after imaging during consultation helps visualise expected changes.

When can I resume exercise after oral surgery?

Light walking is encouraged within days after surgery to promote circulation. Moderate exercise like brisk walking or stationary cycling may resume after 10-14 days for most procedures. Contact sports, swimming, and heavy weightlifting require longer restrictions—typically 4-6 weeks—to prevent complications during healing.

How will my speech adjust after jaw surgery?

Initial speech changes occur due to swelling, temporary numbness, and adaptation to new jaw positions. Most patients experience noticeable improvement within 2-3 weeks and complete return to normal speech within 6-8 weeks.

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Dr. SL Chan

Singapore Oral Surgeon

BDS | MDS | FRACDS | FAMS |

A Leading Singapore Dental Surgeon specializing in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, with a special interest in reconstructive & corrective jaw surgery.

Dr Chan has held major leadership position in Singapore Dentistry, including being President of the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Singapore), Chairman of the Singapore Regional Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and President of the College of Dental Surgeons of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. He has also served in the Singapore Dental Council where he chaired the Credentials Committee and the Aesthetic Facial Procedures Oversight Committee.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), National University of Singapore (1989)
Master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Training under Professor H. Tideman), University In Hong Kong
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore