Maxillofacial Surgery in Bali

Maxillofacial surgery is a specialty of dental medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases that affect the mouth, face, jaws, and neck – both hard and soft tissue regions. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are oral surgeons, but they have had additional training to address more complex issues. They work with patients of all ages, ranging from newborn babies to elderly people. They can treat children who are born with deformities of the face or skull, such as cleft lip and palate. With adults, they usually perform surgery following an accident or injury. With older people, they usually treat skin tumors of the face and head, as well as oral cancer.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can undertake a wide range of procedures. They are trained and qualified to properly administer anesthesia and perform complex and extensive surgeries. These include:

• Dental implants
• Minimally invasive tooth extraction
• Surgical removal of wisdom teeth, worn down or impacted teeth, and retained tooth roots
• Surgical removal of benign and malignant tumors from the head and neck
• Surgical removal of jaw cysts and tumors
• Salivary gland surgery for benign and malignant lesions
• Surgery of skin lesions of the head and neck
• Oral cancer treatment
• Surgical treatment for cleft palate and lip, as well as other congenital facial deformities
• Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment
• Orthognathic (jaw) surgery
• Sleep apnea surgery
• Surgical treatment of facial injuries, such as complex craniofacial fractures, soft tissue injuries, as well as fractures of the upper and lower jaw, nose, and cheekbone
• Reconstructive surgery, such as microvascular free tissue transfer
• Cosmetic surgery of the head and neck, such as brow surgery, rhinoplasty, facelifts, otoplasty, blepharoplasty, neck liposuction, as well as injectable cosmetic treatments such as Botox.

How Long Should I Stay in Bali?          

The type of procedure you underwent and the specific disease or condition you have determines your length of stay. Several procedures, such as orthognathic surgery, require you to stay in the hospital for several days, while other procedures, such as dental implants do not require a hospital stay. In general, you should plan to stay in Bali for at least 7 to 14 days to give some time for the surgical site to heal and to attend scheduled follow-up checkups.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time varies a lot, depending on the type of procedure and the specific condition you have. It mainly takes up to around 12 weeks until you completely recover, but you may be allowed to return to work and most of your normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks. For minor procedures, such as tooth extraction, you can expect to recover within 2 days. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your surgeon will provide you with everything you will need for your aftercare, such as activity restrictions, special diet, and how to care for the surgical wounds. For some procedures and diseases, you may need to attend several follow-up visits. For example, after oral cancer treatment, you will have to attend regular checkups to ensure cancer has not come back. You typically can choose to have follow-up visits with your doctor or dentist back at home if you want to.

What's the Success Rate?

Most oral and maxillofacial surgery has high success rates and is considered safe and effective. For example, dental implants have over 85% success rates. This surgical specialty continues to advance and evolve each year. Today, oral and maxillofacial surgeons use the latest techniques and technology to assist them in their work, such as CT and MRI scans. This technology enables them to view complex structures of the face and skull base, making the procedures a lot safer and successful than they were in the past. Still, there are risks you need to be aware of, such as infection and bleeding.

Are there Alternatives?

The alternative depends on the procedure you need or condition you have. For example, you can go to a dentist for a tooth extraction or a plastic surgeon for a rhinoplasty. It is best to talk to your general physician first. 

Maxillofacial Surgery in and around Bali

About Bali

Bali is an Indonesian province located on the west side of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is the country’s main tourist hotspot that attracts millions of tourists each year. The beaches are tranquil and perfect for any sun-seeker, the marine life is one of the most diverse in the world, the culture is beautiful, and the mountains are covered in lush jungles and great for hiking. In addition to the natural and cultural beauty, there are myriad of things that tourists can do here, from yoga, partying, surfing, to horseback riding.

Bali is not only full of fascinating beaches, but this tropical paradise also boasts many high-quality medical facilities offering various types of treatments. The island continues to upgrade its infrastructure and develop its medical centers to compete with neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Thailand. Medical tourists are able to avail of a wide range of treatments including cosmetic surgery and at affordable rates. The medical centers have modern equipment, and there is little to no waiting time for almost every procedure. Additionally, the island is also equipped with exclusive yoga centers, Bali-traditional spas, and Jamu traditional medicinal herbs.

Popular Areas in Bali

• Seminyak is known to be the most luxurious area in Bali. Tourists will find many fashionable boutiques, upscale restaurants, and exclusive clubs. In the afternoon, tourists can soak up the sun while sipping a cocktail in one of its famous beach clubs or take a beginner surfing lesson at one of its beaches. The main beach is Petitenget Beach where tourists can enjoy magical sunsets or swim in its warm waters. The area is also home to Bali’s best cafés, which makes café hopping a must-do event.  
• The Nusa Islands is located around 20 kilometers offshore from the main island and can only be accessed by boat. It consists of three islands: Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida. The most popular and the closest to the main island of Bali is Nusa Lembongan. The biggest is Nusa Penida and the smallest is Nusa Ceningan. The three islands offer tranquil and almost-empty beaches, which is perfect for anyone who wishes to stay away from crowds.  
• Ubud is the island’s jungle paradise that still retains numerous aspects of traditional Balinese. It is the place for tourists who wants to immerse in Bali’s culture and nature. There are various beautiful temples, dance shows, and historical sites within the area. The most popular place is Ubud Monkey Forest or the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which is a sacred temple, an evocative jungle, and natural habitat of monkeys.
• Sanur is Bali’s earliest beach resort and is located on the eastern side of the island; it contains some of the island’s first hotels. The area is known to be family-friendly as well as one of the best places to enjoy Bali’s magnificent sunrises. Sanur is very quiet which makes it the perfect place for relaxation. Wander around for a day and you will find many major cultural landmarks hidden in plain sight.
• Canggu is famous for its green rice fields, dark sandy beaches, and healthy food. This up-and-coming area is also filled with cool cafes and vegan restaurants. It is also a prime spot for surfing since the beaches have massive shore breaks. One of the most famous places in the area is the Pura Tanah Lot Temple as it is a famous seaside religious site located on top of a rock formation, which offers a picturesque view.

Weather and Climate in Bali

Bali enjoys warm and comfortable weather all year round. The tropical island experiences two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season starts in April and ends in October. The average temperatures during this season are between 23 °C to 31 °C. June to August are the driest months, making them the best months to visit the island. The wet season is from November to March. Expect to find many rainy days during the wet season. The temperatures are generally similar to the dry season, but the humidity will increase significantly. 

Getting Around in Bali

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is the main gateway to Bali and it is located 13 kilometers south of Denpasar and is the second busiest airport in Indonesia. The airport has international connections with major cities around the globe, including Bangkok, Melbourne, Moscow, and Guangzhou. It also serves domestic flights to many regions within Indonesia. The most affordable way to travel to and from Bali is by flying with budget airlines, such as AirAsia, Citilink, and Lion Air. 

There are several ways to get around Bali. Most of the transportation options are very affordable. Hiring a motorcycle is the fastest option, but if you do not like the idea of driving by yourself, you can try the motorcycle taxis known as ‘ojek,’ which can be hailed directly from the streets or by using apps such as Grab and Go-Jek (similar to Uber). The apps also provide private cars and food delivery. Taxis are widely available and run on a meter. The most reliable taxi companies are Blue Bird and Express.

Tourist Visas in Bali

Indonesia is known to be a visa-friendly country since most developed countries can enter without a visa. The country allows a citizen of 170 countries to enter and stay for up to 30 days. Citizens of Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 65 other countries can apply for a visa on arrival. It is best to check at the nearest Indonesia Embassy or Consulate to find out if you need a visa or not. All visitors are required to have a visa valid for at least 6 months. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) is the official currency, and $1 converts to Rp14.000.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists will find ATMs that accept international cards almost everywhere (mostly Visa and MasterCard). Credit and debit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants, and hotels. Tipping is not expected but will be greatly appreciated. 
3. Local Language: The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, and most people will also speak Balinese. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most people in Bali follows Hinduism, and almost every aspect on the island is submerged with the Hindu faith. There is also a large group of Muslims as well as small group groups of Christian and Buddhists. 
5. Public Holidays: Bali celebrates major religious holidays, including Nyepi (Silent Day), Eid Mubarak, Christmas, and Vesak.