Maxillofacial Surgery Education: Where Is It Heading?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery have a long history dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians. Since then, surgeons have treated craniofacial trauma and alveolodental fractures. In 1846, Hullihen performed a mandibular body osteotomy to correct prognathism, marking a significant milestone in the field. Over time, the specialty has evolved significantly. The field of craniofacial surgery has undergone several phases, including its involvement in conflicts during world wars and the treatment of craniofacial fractures and discrepancies. The process of learning and teaching specialties has evolved differently in various countries throughout the 20th century. Currently, there is no uniformity in the training and registration of specialized professionals, resulting in distinct scenarios. Considering the accessibility of scientific knowledge through technology and globalization, it is crucial to provide an objective overview of the current state of education in the field. This paper focuses on effective professional training as the primary subject of residency courses in this specialty. A proposal is presented for education, emphasizing the significance of providing quality professional training that is tailored to the specific legislation of each country.

The WhatsApp Application as a Teledentistry Tool in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Cameroon

Introduction: Technological advances have greatly influenced the healthcare sector. The ability to transmit information and deliver services using telecommunication tools continues to transform the way healthcare is delivered around the world. The aim of this study was to highlight the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of oral and maxillofacial surgery patients consulted using the WhatsApp application. Methodology: This was a three-year descriptive study with a retrospective data collection, from 2021 to 2023, of WhatsApp communications between our team and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Cameroon. In this study, the type/content of messages received, the epidemiological data of practitioners and patients, the various pathologies diagnosed and the procedures performed were evaluated. Results: 319 communications were received for a total of 146 cases. Written messages associated with images (photographs and/or X-rays) were the most frequently received, at 85.62%. Hospitals in urban areas were the most represented at 93.84%. Oral health professionals in the private sector sent more messages (65.75%). In terms of diagnoses, tumour and cystic pathologies were the most common (28.08%), followed by impacted/retained teeth (22.6%). Patients were referred to our hospital for treatment in 62.33% of cases. Conclusion: The WhatsApp application is an easy-to-use telecommunications tool. It facilitates exchanges between practitioners and improves patient care in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Robotic surgical systems in maxillofacial surgery:a review

Throughout the twenty-first century, robotic surgery has been used in multiple oral surgical procedures for the treatment of head and neck tumors and non-malignant diseases. With the assistance of robotic surgical systems, maxillofacial surgery is performed with less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospitalization and better cosmetic results than standard open surgery.However, the application of robotic surgery techniques to the treatment of head and neck diseases remains in an experimental stage, and the long-lasting effects on surgical morbidity, oncologic control and quality of life are yet to be established. More well-designed studies are needed before this approach can be recommended as a standard treatment paradigm. Nonetheless,robotic surgical systems will inevitably be extended to maxillofacial surgery. This article reviews the current clinical applications of robotic surgery in the head and neck region and highlights the benefits and limitations of current robotic surgical systems.

Application of machine learning in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral and maxillofacial anatomy is extremely complex,and medical imaging is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of soft and bone tissue lesions.Hence,there exists accumulating imaging data without being properly utilized over the last decades.As a result,problems are emerging regarding how to integrate and interpret a large amount of medical data and alleviate clinicians’workload.Recently,artificial intelligence has been developing rapidly to analyze complex medical data,and machine learning is one of the specific methods of achieving this goal,which is based on a set of algorithms and previous results.Machine learning has been considered useful in assisting early diagnosis,treatment planning,and prognostic estimation through extracting key features and building mathematical models by computers.Over the past decade,machine learning techniques have been applied to the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and increasingly achieved expert-level performance.Thus,we hold a positive attitude towards developing machine learning for reducing the number of medical errors,improving the quality of patient care,and optimizing clinical decision-making in oral and maxillofacial surgery.In this review,we explore the clinical application of machine learning in maxillofacial cysts and tumors,maxillofacial defect reconstruction,orthognathic surgery,and dental implant and discuss its current problems and solutions.

The application of virtual endoscopy with computed tomography in maxillofacial surgery

Objective To use virtual endoscopy to obtain detailed three-dimensional images of bone, soft tissue and paranasal sinus damage as well as images of adjacent unaffected areas for optimum surgical planning. Methods A spiral CT scanner was used to examine 46 cases of facial bone fractures, maxillary cysts, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and maxillary bone tumours. Data were input into a navigator workstation to create images similar to those displayed by a fiberoptic endoscope. Various 3-D images were obtained when probe sites were changed.Results Virtual endoscopy can clearly display the anatomic structure of the paranasal sinuses, nasopharyngeal cavity and upper respiratory tract, revealing damage to the sinus wall caused by a bone tumor or fracture. In addition, the technique can be used to indicate volume changes of the upper respiratory tract in OSAS patients. These results were similar to those obtained through actual operations. Conclusions Virtual endoscopy is a new method which produces very clear images. It is reliable to provide detailed information for optimal operative planning.

Prospects of 3D Printing Technology in Dental Medicine

With the continuous advancement of technology,the application of 3D printing technology in the field of dental medicine is becoming increasingly widespread.This article aims to explore the current applications and future potential of 3D printing technology in dental medicine and to analyze its benefits and challenges.It first introduces the current state of 3D printing technology in dental implants,crowns,bridges,orthodontics,and maxillofacial surgery.It then discusses the potential applications of 3D printing technology in oral tissue engineering,drug delivery systems,personalized dental prosthetics,and surgical planning.Finally,it analyzes the benefits of 3D printing technology in dental medicine,such as improving treatment accuracy and patient comfort,and shortening treatment times,while also highlighting the challenges faced,such as costs,material choices,and technical limitations.This article aims to provide a reference for professionals in the field of dental medicine and to promote the further application and development of 3D printing technology in this area.

Advance in Functional Restoration of Injured Nerve with Low Level Laser and its Utilization in the Dental and Maxillofacial Region

The inferior alveolar nerve and facial nerve are the two most important nerves in the dental and maxillofacial region.The injury to them is one of the major postoperative complications after alveolar surgery and orthognathic surgery.However,recovering the nerve function after injury takes a long time and the recovery effect tends to be unsatisfactory.In recent years,an intensively investigated technique,low level laser which has been applying in assisting the recovery of nerve function,has been gradually proved to be effective in clinically treating postoperative nerve injury.In this article we review in terms of the mechanisms involved in low level laser-assisted functional restoration of nerve injury and its clinical application in the recovery of nerve function in the dental and maxillofacial area as well.

中国口腔颌面外科专科医师培训和教育指南

中华口腔医学会口腔颌面外科专业委员会(Chinese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,简称CSOMS)是国际口腔颌面外科医师协会(IAOMS)和亚洲口腔颌面外科医师协会(AsianAOMS)成员。本培训和教育指南的制定,是为了提高患者在接受口腔颌面部疾病诊治过程中的医疗水平和条件。对于直接参与这些医疗工作的口腔颌面外科医师来讲,他们的专业水平和所接受的专业培训教育水平是其所提供医疗服务水平高低的决定性因素。