Maxillofacial surgery in Israel is a well‑established surgical specialty that deals with conditions affecting the jaw, face, mouth, and neck. Surgeons in this field manage a wide range of problems, from traumatic injuries and congenital deformities to reconstructive procedures after tumour removal and advanced dental implant work. Many practitioners have trained internationally and work in hospital‑based units as well as private centres. The country’s medical infrastructure supports multidisciplinary care, with close collaboration between maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, oncologists, and other specialists. Patients considering treatment in Israel should arrange a thorough pre‑operative consultation with a qualified surgeon to assess their specific needs.
Facial trauma is a common reason for maxillofacial surgical intervention. Injuries may result from road traffic accidents, falls, sports impacts, or assaults. Surgeons treat fractures of the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla (upper jaw), zygomatic bones (cheekbones), and the orbital floor around the eye. Soft‑tissue lacerations and damage to nerves or salivary ducts are also addressed. Surgical management typically involves repositioning the bone fragments and fixing them with small titanium plates and screws, which may be left in place permanently or removed later if necessary. Minimal‑access techniques are used where possible to reduce scarring. Post‑operative care includes pain management, a soft diet, and regular follow‑up imaging. Recovery times vary depending on the severity of the injury.
When a tumour in the oral cavity, jaw, or facial region is removed, reconstructive surgery aims to restore both function and appearance. The type of reconstruction depends on the size and location of the defect. For smaller defects, local tissue flaps or bone grafts from the patient’s own skeleton (such as the iliac crest or fibula) may be used. Larger defects often require microvascular free‑tissue transfer, where a block of bone and muscle with its blood supply is taken from another part of the body (commonly the leg or forearm) and reconnected to blood vessels in the neck using microsurgery. This technique allows for reliable healing and a good cosmetic result. Reconstruction is usually performed at the same time as tumour removal, and the patient may require additional procedures such as dental implant placement later.
Orthognathic surgery corrects skeletal and dental irregularities of the jaw that cannot be managed by orthodontics alone. Common conditions include severe overbite, underbite, open bite, and asymmetry caused by differences in jaw growth. Treatment is planned jointly with an orthodontist. The surgical phase involves making precise cuts in the maxilla, mandible, or chin to reposition the bone. Plates and screws hold the new position while bone heals. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and may involve overnight hospital stay. Pre‑surgical orthodontic treatment often lasts several months, and post‑surgical orthodontics fine‑tunes the bite. Recovery includes a period of liquid or soft diet, swelling, and limited mouth opening. Full recovery takes several weeks, and the final result is typically stable over the long term.
Dental implants are a common solution for replacing missing teeth, but some patients require additional surgery before implants can be placed. Pre‑prosthetic procedures include bone grafting to rebuild the jawbone when it has atrophied due to tooth loss, sinus lifts to increase bone height in the upper jaw, and soft‑tissue grafts to improve gum contours. Less invasive techniques such as guided bone regeneration and the use of platelet‑rich fibrin are also available. Surgeons may place implants immediately after tooth extraction or after a waiting period for bone healing. Implants are made of titanium or zirconia and are restored with crowns, bridges, or overdentures. The treatment timeline can range from a few months to over a year depending on bone quality and the need for grafting.
Patients who travel to Israel for maxillofacial surgery should allow sufficient time for pre‑operative consultation, the procedure itself, and initial recovery. It is important to bring previous medical records, imaging, and any dental or orthodontic information. Language interpretation services are available in major hospitals and private clinics. Travel insurance that covers surgical care and any potential complications is strongly recommended. Follow‑up care may require staying in the country for one to four weeks, depending on the surgery. Remote consultations with the surgeon after returning home can help monitor healing, but ongoing care will need to be coordinated with a local dentist or doctor.
This page provides general information only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions must be made by a qualified doctor who has examined the individual patient.