Some of the challenging cases treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons are patients with acquired defects of the jaws following ablative tumour surgery or trauma to the oral and facial region. Without adequate maxillofacial reconstruction these patients often suffer from decreased quality of life related to impaired speech, mastication, deglutition, and esthetics. Maxillofacial reconstruction can range from bone grafting all the way to transplantation of bone with blood vessels (mircovascular free flap surgery) for larger complex defects.
After a functional reconstruction is complete the process of rehabilitating the oral cavity (replacement of lost teeth and gums) begins.聽Rehabilitation of oral function begins with inter-disciplinary planning with surgeons and prosthodontic specialists. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to manage patients through all stages of treatment from ablative resection, microvascular reconstruction, and finally dental implant placement for complete restoration of oral function. The Department of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the MUHC is one of few institutions in North America that is able to provide this comprehensive care to its patients.
Our division is also committed to the advancement of science in maxillofacial reconstruction and is currently working with teams of tissue engineers and biomaterial scientists to create custom alternatives to current standards in facial reconstruction.聽
Watch our video on maxillofacial reconstruction below.
Placement of Dental Implants in Fibular Free Flap after Tumor Ablation
Oral Rehabilitation after Complex Reconstruction for Tumor Ablation聽