At Dr Haim Aseriel's dental clinic in Jerusalem, surgical cases that go beyond routine dentistry are treated by certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons who treat patients at the clinic. Surgery is performed at the clinic together with Dr Yves Weinberg, head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Barzilai Medical Center. Dr Aseriel, a general dentist (DDS, NYU College of Dentistry), examines you first, coordinates your care and explains every step in English. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem.
Who is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Israel?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dentist who, after dental school, has completed specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery; in Israel, the specialist title is granted by the Ministry of Health.
The training takes several years: in the United States, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), it lasts at least 48 months (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Selecting a Program). You can check by name whether a practitioner is registered as a specialist in the Ministry of Health registry of licensed professions.
What happens at an oral and maxillofacial surgery consultation?
At the oral and maxillofacial surgery consultation, the mouth and jaws are examined, with imaging at the clinic when needed.
The surgeon takes time to understand your medical and dental history, your main concerns and your expectations. As needed, a panoramic dental X-ray or 3D imaging (CBCT), both taken at the clinic, provide precise information on the bone, the position of nerves and blood vessels and other anatomical factors that matter for surgical planning.
The consultation is also your chance to understand the options available, including a dental bone graft when appropriate, and to get answers to your questions.
When should you see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
Severe jaw pain that does not respond to usual pain relievers, significant swelling, difficulty opening the mouth or chewing, and an injury to the face need an urgent examination by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Infections of the mouth and jaws with fever, swelling that spreads toward the eye or the neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing require immediate care in a hospital emergency room.
Other reasons to see a maxillofacial specialist include an impacted wisdom tooth that causes pain or repeated infections, changes in your bite, and growths or cysts in the mouth or jaws. Problems of the jaw joint (TMJ), such as pain, locking or limited opening, also deserve an examination; according to the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), treatment usually starts with conservative, reversible measures, and clicking of the joint without pain is common and does not need treatment. Before wisdom teeth removal of an impacted tooth, an early surgical assessment is particularly important to reduce the risk of complications.
Patients planning complex restorative work, especially with dental implants, may also need a surgical assessment of the amount and quality of available bone and of the need for a sinus lift or other bone-building procedures. In many cases, an early assessment allows treatment to be planned ahead and reduces future complications.
What does oral and maxillofacial surgery include?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs a wide range of surgical procedures in the mouth, face and jaws, from complex extractions to extensive jaw reconstruction. Surgical tooth extraction, particularly of impacted teeth or teeth with curved roots, is one of the most common procedures at the clinic.
Preparing for implants
For dental implants, the surgeon performs preparatory procedures such as a sinus lift, ridge expansion and bone augmentation. These make it possible to place implants where bone loss would otherwise prevent it.
Oral pathology
Treatment of soft- and hard-tissue disease in the mouth: removal of cysts and benign tumors, biopsies of suspicious lesions, diagnosis and referral of malignant tumors, and management of complex infections of the mouth and jaws.
Jaw joint and facial trauma
For jaw joint (TMJ) disorders, treatment is usually conservative, with a night guard and exercises; surgery is reserved for rare, severe cases. After facial trauma, jaw and facial bone fractures are repaired and soft-tissue injuries treated.
Surgery at the clinic is performed under local anesthesia, with light oral sedation by prescription when needed; the clinic does not provide general anesthesia (see dental treatment under general anesthesia).
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Maxillofacial surgery: the most common jaw operations
Jaw surgery is a major part of oral and maxillofacial surgery and treats a range of structural and functional problems. One of the most common is orthognathic surgery, which corrects a mismatch between the upper and lower jaws. Orthognathic surgery is planned in close cooperation with an orthodontist, using 3D imaging to plan the operation precisely.
Reconstruction after significant bone loss, or after removal of diseased tissue, is complex surgery. It uses the patient's own bone (autogenous graft), bone substitutes or a combination of both. Computer-guided navigation and 3D planning help make the operation more precise and reduce surgical trauma.
Surgery for salivary gland disease, such as removing stones, biopsies or removing a gland in the case of a tumor, is done with minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. For obstructive sleep apnea, surgery to move the jaws forward or remove excess soft tissue may help patients who cannot tolerate more conservative treatment.
Complex cases call for a multidisciplinary approach. These operations are sometimes planned with radiologists, orthodontists, dentists specializing in full mouth rehabilitation and anesthesiologists.
Cost of oral and maxillofacial surgery: what affects the price?
At the dental clinic in Jerusalem, surgery (including bone preparation for dental implants) is priced case by case.
The cost of surgical treatment depends on:
- the complexity of the operation
- the expected length of the procedure
- the type of anesthesia required
- materials such as membranes or bone substitutes
The clinic does not publish a price list: after the examination and X-rays, you receive a detailed written quote, and itemized receipts you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
Protruding jaw: when is jaw surgery needed?
A protruding upper or lower jaw can significantly affect facial appearance, chewing and quality of life. Sometimes orthodontic treatment alone is not enough, and surgery is needed to correct the imbalance between the jaws. This correction is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, together with an orthodontist.
1. A thorough clinical assessment
The first consultation includes a physical examination, X-rays and an analysis of the face and jaws, to identify the causes of the problem and how it affects chewing, speech and breathing. This information is the basis for a plan that includes, when needed, orthodontic treatment before and after surgery.
2. A multidisciplinary team
Jaw surgery requires close cooperation between the orthodontist, the restorative dentist and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Every stage is explained in detail: preparation, the operation itself, recovery and follow-up, so that you can make an informed decision.
3. A professional consultation
A consultation is the first step in assessing a protruding jaw. It is time to hear your concerns and expectations, answer your questions and present the treatment options that apply to you. You can read patient reviews or more about Dr Haim Aseriel before booking.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery: frequently asked questions
Oral and maxillofacial surgery at the clinic is performed together with Dr Yves Weinberg, head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Barzilai Medical Center, and Dr Haim Aseriel. Planning is based on an examination and 3D imaging (CBCT) taken at the clinic.
Yes, in most cases an impacted wisdom tooth is removed under local anesthesia. At the clinic, patients with significant anxiety can add light oral sedation by prescription. The clinic does not provide general anesthesia.
Orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery that corrects a mismatch between the upper and lower jaws, for example in the case of a protruding jaw. It is planned together with an orthodontist, usually from 3D imaging, and is generally combined with orthodontic treatment before and after the operation.
The cost of oral and maxillofacial surgery depends on how complex the operation is, how long it is expected to take, the type of anesthesia and whether materials such as membranes or bone substitutes are needed. It is set only after an examination and a panoramic X-ray, sometimes with 3D imaging, followed by a detailed written quote.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dentist who has completed specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A general dentist performs simple extractions and routine treatment, while the oral and maxillofacial specialist handles complex extractions, cysts, complex infections, jaw fractures and jaw surgery.
Sources
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH), TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) – View source
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Selecting a Program – View source
