Trauma and Pathology of the Head and Neck

Evidence-Based Treatments of Trauma and Pathology of the Head and Neck At AOFS

Alaska Center For Oral + Facial Surgery offers diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of head and neck diseases and conditions — from infections, ulcers, and cysts to oral cancer.

If you notice any unexplained swelling or pain in your head or neck region, or irregularities in the look or feel of the lining of your mouth, you may be experiencing the beginnings of a pathological process.

Our oral surgeons will see you expediently to perform a thorough exam, biopsy, and necessary treatment for any head and neck pathology. While some conditions can be treated with medications or simple office procedures, other more serious diseases such as cancer may require complex surgery and specialized long-term follow up. Your surgery team at Alaska Center For Oral + Facial Surgery is here to guide through each step of this process.

Conditions of the Soft Tissues of the Head and Neck

  1. Lesions of the oral cavity, lips, and face
  2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and issues within the nose and throat region
  3. Cleft lip and palate
  4. Frenectomy — “tongue tie”
  5. Benign tumors
  6. Lip/Cheek/Nose reconstruction
  7. Scar revisions

Trauma to the Head and Neck

  1. Fractures throughout the facial skeleton — both new or old, from the neck to the skull (jaws, nose, orbits, frontal skull, cheekbones)
  2. Poor or non-healing fractures
  3. Soft tissue injuries – lacerations, dog-bites, burns, abrasions, etc.
  4. Crush, tissue loss or penetrating injuries  – dog bites, accidents, gunshots, stabbing, and punctures
  5. Revisions to trauma surgery — Fractures, scars,  and nerve injuries

Tumors Related to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

  • Cysts – Excision of the Odontogenic and Non-Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors of the hard and soft oral tissues: Removal of growths from the jaw bones and surrounding tissues
  • Biopsy – as relates to oral and maxillofacial surgery: Surgical sampling of tissues of the mouth, face, head, and neck region for the purpose of diagnosis
  • Glossectomy (tongue lesions), Partial (Non-malignant): Removal of tongue mass
  • Jaw – Division of Jawbone (Mandible/Maxilla): Cutting or excision of the jaw bone
  • Jaw – Excision of Joint structure of jaw: Surgery to repair or remove disease of the TMJ
  • Jaw – Excision of Jaw: Surgery to entirely remove a mass of the jaws for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment
  • Jaw – Incision of Jaw: Surgery to partially sample a mass of the jaws for the purpose of diagnosis
  • Lip Lesions – Excision of non-malignant lip lesions: Surgery to remove a non-cancerous growth from the lip
  • Lip Lesions – Secondary reconstruction of lip: Surgery to repair/reconstruct the lip(s) after trauma or removal of the mass
  • Mandibulectomy – Partial or total (Non-malignant): Excision of a portion of the lower jaw in order to remove a mass or infection
  • Maxillectomy – Partial (Non-malignant): Excision of a portion of the upper jaw in order to remove a mass or infection
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Tissue Defects – Reconstruction of Hard and Soft Oral and Maxillofacial Tissue Defects: Reconstruction of bone and soft tissue defects of the mouth, face, and head
  • Sialolithotomy (Salivary Gland Stones): Removal of a salivary stone through the mouth
  • Sialodochoplasty: Salivary duct repair
  • Submandibular gland – Excision of a suspected benign process: Excision of submandibular gland in order to remove disease or blockage

Head and Neck Trauma

Head and neck trauma refers to any injury to the head, face, mouth, teeth, neck, and associated structures. At Alaska Center For Oral + Facial Surgery,

our physicians are expertly trained to treat all aspects of head and neck trauma and realize the emotional component of such injuries to our patients.

Whether your trauma was the result of a sports injury, accidental fall, personal assault, or some other incident, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent future cosmetic or functional complications. Our facial trauma surgeons and clinic staff will work quickly to assure that you are seen in our clinic in a timely fashion so your injuries can be diagnosed and treated and the healing can begin.

  • Alveolar Fractures – Open and closed reduction, including fixation: Repair of the bone that holds teeth
  • Arch Bar & Prosthetic Device Application: Temporary braces used to help splint broken jaw(s)
  • Bone plate/wire osteosynthesis (fracture repairs): Metallic plates, screws, and wires used to repair fractured facial bones
  • Closure and Repair of Fistula: Surgical repair of a hole between mouth and skin or nose
  • Fracture of Midface (cheek, nose, upper jaw) – (LeFort I, II, III) open and closed reduction: Repair of fractures of the upper jaw, cheekbones, eye bones and nose
  • Fracture of Mandible – Open and closed reduction, including fixation: Replacement of broken lower jaw bone into “normal” position using metallic plates and screws and occasionally temporary braces with gentle/soft diet
  • Insertion of External Pin Fixation: Screws placed through the skin of the face to repair the lower jaw
  • Jaw – Reduction/Dislocation Jaw, TMJ: Manipulation of the jaw joint(s) into “normal” functioning, non-painful position
  • Lacerations: Complex repair of severe facial lacerations including:

    • Ear
    • Facial and Neck
    • Intraoral
    • Scalp
    • Scar Revision
  • Maxillary Fracture – Closed Reduction: Repair of upper jaw fracture using temporary braces and gentle/soft diet
  • Maxillary Fracture – Open reduction, including fixation: Repair of broken upper jaw bone using metallic plates and screws
  • Nasal Orbito Ethmoid Complex/Upper Face (open and closed reduction): Repair of fracture between the eyes and over the bridge of the nose
  • Orbital Blowout Fractures – Open and closed reduction: Fracture repair of the lower bone around the eye
  • Orbital Blowout Fractures – Minimally invasive, endoscopic: Use of surgical scope through the mouth to repair fracture of the lower bone of the eye
  • Orbital Rim Fractures – Open and closed reduction: Surgical repair of the lower rim of the eye using metallic plates and screws
  • Retrieval of Foreign Body: Removal of a foreign body (non-body tissue) from the head and neck area
  • Scar Revisions: Follow-up surgery to repair poor looking scar(s)
  • Nasal Fractures – Open and closed reduction: Repair of fractured nasal bones
  • Temporomandibular Joint Surgery: Surgery to repair damaged, painful, non-working jaw joints (TMJs)
  • Zygomatico-Maxillary Complex Fractures – Open and Closed Reduction, including fixation: Surgical repair of the cheekbone
  • Zygomatic Arch Fractures – Open and closed reduction: Surgical repair of the prominent ridge of bone directly in front of the ear

Connect with us and learn more about procedures performed at Alaska Center for Oral + Facial Surgery!  Call Us: (907) 222-5052