By Erika Remmington
When many people hear the term plastic surgery, they often think of elective surgeries or images of men and women who want the perfect physique. While plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are terms that are often used as one and the same, plastic surgery includes reconstructive procedures that are performed to correct specific abnormalities that are caused by trauma or other defects. Here are 10 common plastic surgeries that are performed to correct abnormalities caused by trauma or to improve how the body functions rather than looks.
1. Tumor Removal
Tumor removal is actually one of the most common plastic surgeries performed for reconstructive purposes. Both benign and malignant tumors can be removed by using skin graft and flap techniques when they are large enough to cause bone loss.
2.Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Surgery
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is commonly referred to as TMD, is when there is a defect in the jaw or when there has been injury to the jaw bone that leads to disc displacement. This displacement can affect the sufferers ability to chew or talk and can be very painful. To treat TJD, oral surgeons may perform a maxillofacial procedure to realign the jaw bone for better function.
3. Scar Revision
A scar is the skin’s way of protecting itself once it heals from trauma. Believe it or not, scars come in several different forms, and many of these forms require scar revision reconstructive surgeries to minimize their appearance. Surgeons may remove excess scar tissue, repositiion the scars, or skin grafting to minimize the scar. While these procedures do not completely eliminate a scar, the right treatment will make them smoother and restore the tendons.
4. Craniofacial Surgery
About 5 million maxillofacial procedures are performed every year to treat injuries to the head and neck region. The trauma may be caused by accidents to the head or by diseases like cancer. The soft tissue and skeletal surgeries may involve modeling the bones and skin grafting depending on the severity of the trauma.
5. Breast Reconstruction
Women who have been treated for breast cancer or who have undergone a mastectomy have the option to get breast reconstruction surgery. This breast surgery is not classified as a cosmetic surgery because it is meant to restore the individual to their appearance before the mastectomy. Reconstruction may require several different surgeries to expand the skin, shape the skin and to place the implants.
6. Cleft Lip or Palate
Congenial anomalies can happen for a number of reasons during pregnancy. About 3 in 100 babies will have a birth defect that will require reconstructive surgery. Some of the more common surgeries are performed to correct cleft lips and palates so that the child is able to eat, talk and function.
7. Ridge Augmentation
Many times, the gum bone and jaw bone can heal itself and grow bone after it has been injured. If the bone does not grow or it has deteriorated, oral surgeons may need to perform a ridge augmentation where the bone will be grafted and built up. This will fill in sunken in areas of the gum and jaw, and may be necessary for implants.
8. Reattachment
While reattachment surgeries are not extremely common, they are reconstructive in nature. Individuals who lose their fingers, toes or hands and feet in an accident may be candidates to have them reattached. The surgery involves connecting the tendons, nerves, arteries, veins and blood vessels so that severed part of the body is able to replant.
9. Joint Problems and Hand Surgeries to Treat Carpal Tunnel
Hand surgeries are very common because the nerves and tendons are vulnerable. These surgeries may be to repair severed tendons, severed nerves, or even to treat joint problems. Some procedures are performed on people with congenial birth defects in the hand.
10. Dental Implants
Disease or accident can lead to missing teeth. Many people elect to get dental implants, where an implant is placed into the jaw bone. To get this surgery, individuals may have to have their jaw bone or gum line built up with a material that makes the implant possible.
Reconstructive surgeries help improve the lives of individuals who have experienced trauma or degeneration. These are just some of the many post-trauma surgeries that improve bodily functions.
Information provided by Kucey Dental Group, an Edmonton dentist.
Comments are closed.