Maxillofacial Surgery in Hamburg

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 Hamburg?          

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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg

About Hamburg

Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany. It is a port city and it is also the second-busiest port in Europe. Famous for its parks and canals, this eclectic city is filled with iconic architecture, delicious cuisines, music, and lively nightlife. Hamburg also enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of medical tourism. The hospitals in the city boast highly-trained specialists offering remarkable standards of medical care. From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare, medical tourists are sure to receive the best care. Numerous hospitals and clinics provide the highest standard of healthcare as well as world-class medical care around the clock. Cutting-edge hospitals, experienced specialists, and advanced techniques in line with the very latest scientific findings are the reason why its healthcare sector is thriving. 

Popular Parts of Hamburg

As a port city, much of the city’s character comes for its port, which is why the harbor tour is very popular. The harbor tour allows visitors to admire the city from a different perspective. Those who love art should visit Hamburger Kunsthalle, which is the city’s premier art gallery offering a wide collection of Germany’s master painters. Any visitor who loves shopping should go to Altona, an elegant neighborhood where visitors can find an array of stylish boutiques, amazing restaurants, and bars. Hamburg is also known as one of the nightlife capitals of Europe. The center of the city’s nightlife is located in St. Pauli, a neighborhood filled with live music venues, dance parties, pubs, and cocktail bars. 

Transport in Hamburg

Hamburg Airport is the international airport in Hamburg, which connects the city with numerous countries in Europe and the Middle East. Public transportation in Hamburg is efficient and convenient. Buses operate around the clock, including a special night bus (Nachtbus) service. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains are integrated, making it easy to get around the city. Visitors who want to get around with the U-Bahn and S-Bahn train can buy an individual ticket or an All-Day ticket, which is reasonably priced. Taxis are easily available and are reliable. 

Visas in Hamburg

Since Germany is part of the Schengen Area, citizens of several countries, such as Australia, Canada, and the US, can visit and stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a visa prior to their arrival. It is recommended to always check the requirements for the visa application before applying.

Weather in Hamburg

Summer, starting from June to August, has an average temperature of 24°C, making it a popular time to visit the city. However, the temperatures can rise to 30°C on some very hot days. Winter can be very cold, with the temperatures dropping below 0°C. The seasons of spring (March-May) and autumn (September – October) has pleasant weather with warm temperatures.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The local currency is the Euro (EUR). 1 EUR converts to approx. 1.12 USD.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widespread around the city. Credit cards are widely accepted and tipping is common.
3. Local Language: German is the official language. Most people, particularly in tourist areas, will speak little English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The largest religion is Christianity and Islam is the second-largest religion. Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism are also freely-practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the most celebrated public holidays are New Year’s Day, Day of German Unity, Reformation Day, and Christmas Day.