Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Our consultants treat a range of conditions, including facial injuries, head and neck cancers, salivary gland diseases, facial deformities, facial pain, impacted teeth, cysts and tumours of the jaws, as well as mouth ulcers and infections.

The specialty is unique, requiring a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently work alongside other specialists including orthodontists, oncologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons and ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons.

Specialist areas

Dentoalveolar surgery

Dentoalveolar surgery is surgery of the tooth-bearing part of the jaws, including impacted teeth, complex tooth extractions, cysts and lesions of the oral mucous membranes.

Oral medicine

Ulcers, infections and diseases of the mouth. The diagnosis and medical treatment of a wide range of conditions of the oral mucosa is carried out in the department.

Orthognathic surgery / facial deformity

This involves surgically moving the jaws and correction of anomalies of the face and mouth. Treatment planning is carried out in conjunction with our orthodontic colleagues, who prepare the dental arches prior to surgery. Craniofacial deformity, cleft lip and palate and post traumatic deformities are managed in a multidisciplinary environment.

Trauma

The treatment of facial fractures including orbital fractures, lacerations, craniofacial trauma and post traumatic deformity.

Oral and facial cancers

There is a multidisciplinary approach to head and neck cancer according to NICE guidance. Combined clinics are held with Maxillofacial Surgery, ENT Surgery, Radiotherapy, Radiology, Histopathology and MacMillan Nurse input. Following assessment and treatment planning, patients are treated as appropriate. Radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy is provided where indicated.

Neck lumps

Treatment of neck lumps.

Salivary gland diseases

Salivary gland obstruction (stones/strictures), inflammatory diseases, mucoceles/ranulas, benign and malignant tumours, parotid surgery and 'minimally invasive techniques' are provided.

Facial pain

A service for the diagnosis and treatment of facial pain is provided.

Jaw joint disorders

Treatment, including surgery for disorders of the temporomandibular (TM) joints. Most patients are seen on an outpatient basis in the Maxillofacial Unit, but surgery under general anaesthesia is sometimes required.

Secondary cleft lip and palate deformities

Management of cleft lip and palate patients follows the established international protocol. Primary cleft treatment is performed by the plastic surgeon. Secondary bone-grafting of the cleft and subsequent orthognathic surgery is performed by the maxillofacial team.

Medically compromised patients

The management of medically compromised patients requiring dental surgery is an expanding area, with the increase in long-term management of cardiac patients (e.g. patients on anticoagulants), transplants and immunocompromised patients.

Outpatient services and daycase general anaesthetics

These are provided in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, based at:

• John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford (the 'hub' centre) and at;
• Horton General Hospital, Banbury
  
• Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury
  
• Amersham Hospital, Amersham
  
• Wycombe General Hospital, Wycombe
  
• Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading ('spoke' units).
  

Referrals come from general dental and medical practitioners, other hospital consultants, the Accident and Emergency Departments of the hub and spoke centres.

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics is supported by maxillofacial technicians with special expertise in maxillofacial prostheses and orthodontic appliances.

Specialist clinics

• Facial Deformity (Orthognathic) Clinic
• Joint Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic
• Joint Head and Neck Oncology Clinic
  
• Craniofacial Trauma
  
• Craniofacial Deformity

Find us and contact us

Contact details

Resource

British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons