Maxillofacial Surgery Center for Excellence utilizes computed tomography (CT) to generate 3D images for the diagnosis, planning, and treatment of surgery. This technology enables Dr. Haghighi to better assess facial trauma and obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike a traditional spiral CT scanner, our Planmeca Promax 3D system uses cone beam CT technology to provide precise, crystal clear digital images while minimizing exposure to radiation.

We also use 3D imaging technology to plan surgery and accurately predict the outcome of your procedure. We can actually move parts of the skeletal images to show what your face will look like after surgery. Computer-fabricated surgical guides allow for guided surgery, which minimizes operating time and ensures maximum precision – down to a fraction of a millimeter.

Our 3D imaging technology increases our in-office capabilities, which often results in fewer office visits for our patients. We can also quickly and easily share images with your referring doctor, allowing Dr. Haghighi to collaborate more effectively with other doctors in order to help you function, feel, and look better. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how you can benefit from our 3D imaging technology.

Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, can improve chewing, speaking, breathing, and a facial appearance by repositioning a misaligned jaw. A jaw can be misaligned because of an injury, birth defect, or hereditary condition.

Corrective jaw surgery ensures that the upper and lower teeth meet correctly and function properly. While orthodontics can correct bite problems related to teeth, corrective jaw surgery is required when repositioning of the facial structure is necessary.

One major benefit of corrective jaw surgery is that one procedure can correct more than one problem. For example, if you undergo corrective jaw surgery to treat TMJ disorders, you could also correct obstructive sleep apnea or a facial deformity.

Schedule a consultation to learn more about corrective jaw surgery if you have:

• Difficulty with chewing, biting, or swallowing
• Speech problems
• Chronic jaw pain
• Pain from TMJ disorders
• Open bite
• Protruding jaw
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Facial trauma refers to injuries to the facial soft tissue (skin and gums), as well as fractures of facial bones, including the maxilla (upper jaw), a mandible (lower jaw), cheekbones, nasal bone, and eye sockets. It can also involve injuries to the eyes, facial nerves, and salivary glands.

Facial trauma is most commonly caused by car accidents, falls, sports injuries, work-related injuries and physical violence. We treat both the physical injury while giving special attention to the emotional needs of each patient.

Because these injuries are often the result of traumatic events, we believe the maxillofacial surgeon’s heart is as important as his knowledge. Dr. Haghighi is known for helping patients through the emotional highs and lows of facial trauma treatment. He draws upon his experience in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation to provide patients with peace of mind while helping them feel, function, and look better.

The specific form of treatment for facial trauma is determined by a number of factors, including the location and severity of the injury, and the age and general health of the patient. Dr. Haghighi also looks for and treats related injuries to facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts.

Facial trauma can vary greatly with regards to severity and complexity, so please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation and ask whatever questions you may have.

Bone Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a manner similar to the fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, the severity of the fracture, the age, and the general health of the patient.

Fractures of the jaw are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. Fractures can be simple involving a single bone or more complex involving multiple bones. Surgical treatment of fractures is performed in an operating room setting in a hospital or surgicenter facility.

The treatment of facial fractures is designed to resume normal function and restore facial esthetics. An attempt at accessing the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always made. At the same time, the incisions that become necessary, are designed to be small and, whenever possible, are placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.

Injuries To The Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures

Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or in replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in saltwater or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket, the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon, such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often now utilized as replacements for missing teeth.

The proper treatment of facial injuries is now the realm of specialists who are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the injured patient.

The trigeminal nerve carries sensory perception from facial structures to the brain. Nerve injuries of the face can impact sensory nerves, as well as motor nerves that enable facial expression. The outer branches of the trigeminal nerve can be injured as a result of a dental procedure, jaw fracture, stroke, and other related causes.

Sensory nerve damage typically causes numbness or diminished sensory perception at first but can progress to persistent pain if left untreated. Trigeminal nerve microsurgery enables a surgeon to explore and examine the injured nerve under high-power magnification, identify the problem area, and repair the injury. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention can improve the chance of restoring normal sensation in the face.

The facial nerve provides motor function to the muscles that enable facial expression. Injury to this nerve can result in asymmetrical or uneven facial animation or complete paralysis of a portion of the face. This type of injury can be caused by a cranial base fracture or a penetrating injury such as a stabbing or gunshot.

Complete recovery from a facial nerve injury is possible with early identification and repair of the lacerations. However, the outcomes are less predictable when the facial nerve is injured near the cranial base. The resulting facial paralysis can be treated through a combination of surgery and physical therapy with the goal of enhancing facial animation and symmetry. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so schedule a consultation with Dr. Haghighi today.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are complex conditions related to the jaw joints at the base of the skull, including the muscles, teeth, and nerves. All of the neuromuscular components must be in sync to enable proper chewing, breathing, and speaking. When the muscles are out of sync with the jaw joint, people experience the symptoms of TMJ disorders.

The most common symptoms are ear pain, headaches, difficulty with opening the mouth, and noises like popping and clicking. Conservative dental treatments will solve the problem for many patients, but surgical procedures ranging from diagnostic arthroscopic treatments to total joint reconstruction are often required to provide a more permanent solution to TMJ disorders.

Skeletal and dental deformities can be precursors to some TMJ disorders. Corrective jaw surgery, combined with orthodontics and appliance therapy, may be useful in the treatment of certain conditions. Schedule a consultation today to ensure the best possible treatment approach according to your specific diagnosis.