Introduction to OMSA New Mexico

As a member of a team of healthcare specialists, the doctors at OMSA play an important role in the carefully orchestrated, multiple-stage correctional program for cleft lip and palate patients throughout New Mexico. The goal is to help restore the jaw and facial structures, leading to normal function and appearance. Care and treatment must consider function, appearance, nutrition, speech, hearing, and emotional and psychological development.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, they complete at least four years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia and other specialties. During this time, OMS residents serve on the medical anesthesiology service, where they evaluate patients for anesthesia, deliver the anesthetic and monitor post-anesthetic patients. As a result of their extensive training, every Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is well-prepared to appropriately administer local anesthesia, all forms of sedation and general anesthesia. The doctors at OMSA have a state of the art facility including 4 fully equipped surgical suites and a 7 station recovery room with a RN dedicated to monitor the anesthetic recovery of our patients.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious and even life-threatening condition. The risks of undiagnosed OSA include heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart disease and decreased libido. In addition, OSA causes daytime drowsiness that can result in accidents, lost productivity and relationship problems. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 18 million adults have obstructive sleep apnea and it is likely that OSA also affects 2% to 3% of children. Yet, people who have OSA may not be aware they have a problem. If someone close to you has spoken of your loud snoring and has noticed that you often wake up abruptly, gasping for air, the doctors at OMSA specialize in the surgical correction of OSA.

Anesthesia

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, they complete at least four years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia and other specialties. During this time, OMS residents serve on the medical anesthesiology service, where they evaluate patients for anesthesia, deliver the anesthetic and monitor post-anesthetic patients. As a result of their extensive training, every Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is well-prepared to appropriately administer local anesthesia, all forms of sedation and general anesthesia. The doctors at OMSA have a state of the art facility including 4 fully equipped surgical suites and a 7 station recovery room with a RN dedicated to monitor the anesthetic recovery of our patients.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

The Doctors also specialize in Corrective jaw, or orthognathic surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth. Surgery can improve chewing, speaking and breathing. While the patient’s appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of their surgery, orthognathic surgery is performed to correct functional problems. Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery:

• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
• Excessive wear of the teeth
• Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
• Unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side
• Facial injury
• Birth defects
• Receding lower jaw and chin
• Protruding jaw
• Inability to make the lips meet without straining
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

The Doctors at OMSA are key members of a health care team treating and repairing facial injury and trauma, including fractures of the upper and lower jaws and the orbits surrounding the eyes, and facial lacerations. The doctors at OMSA manage patients with facial trauma at Presbyterian hospitals, Lovelace hospitals, and the University of New Mexico hospital.