Facial Reconstructive Surgery Can Restore Your Appearance After Trauma or Cancer
Reconstructive Surgery
The purpose of reconstructive surgery is to rebuild areas of the jaw, mouth, or face following facial trauma from an accident, surgical removal of oral cancer, or a cleft lip or palate. At the Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we provide facial reconstruction surgery in Knoxville, TN for a number of injuries or conditions affecting the mouth. By reconstructing the bones, muscles, and tissues in these areas, Dr. Turner P. Emery and Frank Rizzo can restore function to your jaw and mouth. Our team will also ensure your end result is a beautiful and natural-looking appearance.
Facial reconstruction surgery is often a delicate process.
When is Reconstructive Surgery Recommended?
If you have suffered damage to your jaw, mouth, or face as the result of a fall, car accident, or other traumatic experience, facial reconstruction surgery may be right for you. We also perform reconstructive surgery for patients who require removal of cancerous tumors or lesions. After removing any cancerous growths, we can repair the affected areas to ensure both function and appearance.
We can also perform reconstructive surgery for patients born with a cleft lip or palate. Drs. Emery and Rizzo have extensive experience in reconstructive surgery on infants. We recommend surgically repairing a cleft lip when the child is between the ages of three and six months, and repairing a cleft palate when the child is between the ages of nine and 18 months.
Facial Laceration Repair
Trauma to the soft tissues of the face and oral cavity could lead to tissue damage resulting in poor cosmetic and functional outcomes. It is essential that the tissue is thoroughly cleaned, all foreign bodies removed, and the tissue closed in a meticulous fashion to reduce the occurrence of scar formation and infection. If you have suffered any tissue damage, call for a consultation immediately, as expedient intervention will lead to better results.
Facial Fracture Repair
Trauma to the hard tissue of the face can result in fractures of the bones. These include the eye sockets, nose, upper jaw, lower jaw, and the bone supporting the teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have specialized training in managing these types of fractures. If left untreated, these fractures can predispose one to possible vision disturbances, difficulty breathing through the nose, changes to the way the teeth come together affecting chewing, and poor cosmetics.
Frenectomy (Lip-tie/Tongue Tie)
A frenum is a small extension of tissue from the lips and tongue to the gum tissue. Commonly, it can be attached in an abnormal location leading to a lip-tie or tongue-tie. This can result in malposition of the teeth, speech difficulties, and difficulty eating. In this procedure, we excise the tissue and reposition it in a way that allows normal function.
Repair of Nasal/Sinus Communication
A nasal/sinus communication is an abnormal gateway between the mouth and the nose. This can be as a result of trauma, pathology, or tooth extraction. The result is the regurgitant flow of fluids through the nose. In this procedure, we close this opening so that the normal anatomy is restored.
Nerve Exploration/Repair
The oral/head and neck region is richly innervated with several nerves that affect the movement and sensation of the face and oral cavity. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we most commonly see injuries to the peripheral trigeminal nerve, including the inferior alveolar nerve and lingual nerve. Injuries to these nerves can lead to altered or absence of sensation of the lip and tongue. Depending on the severity of the nerve injury, you may be a candidate for a nerve exploration/repair procedure.
What is the Procedure and Recovery Like?
It is important to understand that more complex procedures may require multiple surgeries, staged out to allow time for recovery. After conducting a thorough evaluation, our doctors can give you an estimated timeframe for your reconstructive surgery.
Facial Trauma
The extent and severity of your injuries will dictate the specifics of your procedure and recovery. Our surgeons also specialize in dental implant surgery and can replace any lost or broken teeth with implants. Broken facial bones or a broken jaw may require wires, metal plates, or screws to keep the bones in place to allow them to heal properly.
Our doctors use advanced skills to make your recovery as quick as possible by using materials that promote healing.
Reconstructive surgery for facial trauma will likely require multiple stages. Dental implant surgery alone usually requires two stages separated by several months of recovery. Our doctors use advanced skills to make your recovery as quick as possible by using materials that promote healing.
Cancer Removal
Removing cancer from the face or mouth is complex and may require removing both skin and bone. Patients must also undergo intensive radiation therapy following the removal of cancerous tumors and lesions, which can take several months. To support the facial tissue during this time, we will place reconstructive plates. Once the patient has completed radiation, we can carefully prepare any damaged tissues for potential bone and tissue grafts.
Cleft Lip or Palate
Cleft lip and palate repair is done for more than just cosmetic reasons. A cleft in the lip or the roof of the mouth can affect your child’s ability to eat and speak. To repair a cleft lip, our doctors will make incisions along both sides of the cleft, create tissue flaps, and draw them together to effectively close the cleft. A similar technique is used to close a cleft palate. Recovery from either surgery typically takes several weeks or more.
Regain Confidence
Facial reconstruction surgery can restore you or your child’s facial appearance, confidence, and health.
If you are in need of reconstructive surgery, contact our office online or call us at (865) 584-6207 today to find out how the surgical team at Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery can help.
Testimonials From Our Patients
We are proud to be able to provide our patients with access to first-rate surgical care, cutting-edge procedures, and an overall outstanding experience.
Dr. Emery did a fantastic job in providing tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant. I had been anxious and he relieved my concerns immediately. He and his team provided a relatively pain-free experience and were available to answer all my questions quickly and professionally. I was so pleased with them that I took my daughter to Dr. Emery for her wisdom teeth extraction. We were both surprised at how well her pain had been managed and she never had to use opioids! If we need oral surgery again, we know where to go! Thank you, Dr. Emery, Dawn, Amanda, Meghan, Hannah, Wendy, and all the others!
- Lea Alexander
Painless procedures and quick recoveries. Couldn’t be more pleased. Highly recommend these oral surgeons.
- Robin Hutchins
Dr. Emery and his staff are so amazing. They really go the extra mile to make you comfortable and Dr. Emery’s bedside manner is like none I’ve ever seen before! He’s one of those doctors you hope you don’t have to go back to, but will be the ONLY one I do go to if it’s ever needed again. My only complaint is that he’s not in general dentistry because i wouldn’t be so terrified to go to a dentist if it was him. Great guy, great staff, great atmosphere!
- Allison Fritz
Awesome Staff, Excellent Doctors, Great Prices! Turned a ‘bad day’ into great experience! Been there twice- almost 2 years apart. Rock solid and highly recommended!
- Max Zimmerman
- Kenny Miller
- Kari Hester
Our Office Locations
We have two office locations in Knoxville, TN.
West Knoxville Location
6207 Highland Pl Way, Ste 207
Knoxville, TN 37919
Directions
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 584-6207
North Knoxville Location
2939 Essary Dr, Ste 1
Knoxville, TN 37918
Directions
Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 240-2977