JOMS Simply Put: Mandibular Fractures

When a bone breaks or cracks, the injury is called a fracture (FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2). Lower jaw (mandibular) fractures are the third most common type of facial fractures, after fractures of the nose and cheekbone. Mandibular fractures can be caused by many different types of injuries to the lower face. These include: An accidental… Read more »

JOMS Simply Put: Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a long-lasting facial pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve responsible for sensation in your face. If you have TN, even mild stimulation of your face may cause severe and excruciating pain. Patients may initially experience short and mild attacks. But this pain disorder can progress and cause… Read more »

Simply Put: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull along each side of your head. When they work well, they enable you to talk and chew. The TMJ combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by… Read more »

Simply Put: Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Facial cosmetic surgery continues to grow in popularity. It focuses on improving our facial appearance. Many patients seek treatment to reverse changes that occur with aging, such as loose skin, decreased tissue volume around the face and neck, fine lines, sagging jowls, and double chin. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialized in performing a variety… Read more »

Simply Put: Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ)

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare but serious disease that can affect a person’s upper or lower jaw. First described in 2002, it is a progressive death of the jawbone in a person exposed to a medication known to increase the risk of disease, in the absence of a previous radiation treatment…. Read more »

Simply Put: Uncovering the facts about rare childhood tongue cancer

Tongue Cancer in Children on the Rise Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) – most commonly found on the tongue – is rare among those under the age of 21, and little is understood about risk factors for that age group. To better understand the disease, researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed 3 clinical… Read more »

Simply Put: New modes of transportation and associated risks

New Modes of Transportation and Associated Risks With the increased need for convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly ways to commute, there has come an explosion of alternative modes of transportation, especially in metropolitan areas. Traditional alternative modes of transportation such as shared rides, increased use of public transportation, and walking or biking have become popular… Read more »

State-of-the-art surgery to treat jaw tumors in children: How is it done?

My Child has a Jaw Tumor. What are the Challenges of Jaw Tumor Surgery? Jaw tumors are common in children and although usually are not cancerous, they most often require surgery as first line of treatment. Tumor removal can cause significant jaw and face deformity in the young patient and future problems with growth and… Read more »

Simply Put: JOMS Information for Patients

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery? Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty of dentistry responsible for the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical arm… Read more »