The Division of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Humber River Health is a University of Toronto affiliated program that provides a very specialized service.  Although the personnel involved in the program is small, they manage some of the most complex oral, cranial and maxillofacial discrepancies in the province.  With three operating room days per week, they are able to treat patients with facial deformities, all traumatic facial injuries, resection and reconstruction of maxillofacial pathology, and temporomandibular joint disorders.

The division is closely linked with the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at the University of Toronto and supports the Temporomandibular Joint and Orthognathic Fellowship. The group is heavily involved in clinical research and is recognized internationally for the management of facial deformities with virtual surgical planning and the fabrication of patient specific implants using CAD/CAM design.

The team has taken advantage of current technological advances in radiographic imaging with CT scans (stored in DICOM formats) morphed with imaging of the jaws (stored in STL formats). By overcoming this software hurdle, they are able to provide more accurate diagnoses of the deformities that they need to manage, but the massive improvement is that they are able to create engineered surgical guides that we use during the surgery to position the bones. This provides better outcomes, shorter operating times, decreased reoperation rates and shorter hospital stays than in the past.

Our surgeons have a nationwide reputation and are referred some of the most complex deformity and reconstructive problems of the maxillofacial region. They collaborate with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for the management of the Cleft Lip and Palate program and support the efforts of the Face the Future Foundation Canada with annual missions to Ethiopia.

Recovery from maxillofacial procedures can be some of the most challenging stressors for patients. The division seeks to be an innovative and unique service constantly researching methods to improve our patient’s quality of life in the most compassionate way possible. A new maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinic has been developed as a rapid and dependable source to support the needs of the hospital and the emergency department.