The specialty
What does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon do?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon operates on the teeth, jaw, face and neck: from wisdom tooth removal, implants and jaw corrections to the treatment of facial fractures and tumours. Here you will find an overview of all procedures in the specialty – and, for each one, whether and where I perform it.
The specialty combines medicine and dentistry – which is why I studied both. I carry out smaller procedures as outpatient procedures in my practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl, and larger operations at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of University Hospital St. Pölten, where I work as a senior consultant.
Oral surgery: teeth, jaw and oral mucosa
Oral surgery covers procedures on teeth, gums and jawbone. Many of them are carried out as outpatient procedures under local anaesthesia.
Surgical tooth extraction
If a tooth cannot simply be pulled – for example because of curved roots or because it has broken off – it is removed surgically through a small opening in the gum, preserving as much bone as possible (extraction). More about oral surgery →
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Wisdom tooth removal
Impacted or only partially erupted wisdom teeth that cause lack of space, inflammation or damage to the neighbouring tooth are usually removed as an outpatient procedure. More about wisdom tooth removal →
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Apicoectomy
If inflammation at the root tip persists despite root canal treatment, the root tip and the inflamed tissue are removed and the root canal is sealed tightly from below – the tooth is preserved.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Removal of jaw cysts
A cyst is a fluid-filled cavity in the jawbone that often grows unnoticed for a long time. It is removed surgically or opened so that it shrinks; the tissue is then examined.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Exposure of impacted teeth
If a permanent tooth – often a canine – remains stuck in the jaw (impacted tooth), it is exposed so that orthodontic treatment can move it into place.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Closure of an oroantral communication
After an upper back tooth is removed, an opening into the maxillary sinus can occur. This oroantral communication is closed tightly with a gum flap.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Gum and frenulum surgery
Exposed tooth necks can be covered with gum tissue; a short or unfavourably attached lip or tongue frenulum is cut or repositioned (frenectomy).
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Tissue sample
Abnormal changes in the oral mucosa or jaw are investigated by taking a small tissue sample (biopsy), which is examined under the microscope.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Implantology and bone grafting
Implants replace lost tooth roots. If there is not enough bone, it is built up beforehand or at the same time.
Dental implants
An implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium or zirconia that heals into the jawbone and carries a crown, bridge or denture. More about dental implants →
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Bone grafting
If the jawbone is too narrow or too low, it is built up with the patient's own bone or bone substitute material (augmentation).
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Sinus lift
In a sinus lift, the lining of the maxillary sinus in the back of the upper jaw is lifted and the space below it is filled with bone.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Bone block
For larger defects, a bone block is fixed to the jaw, where it heals in and can later carry implants (bone block grafting).
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Vestibuloplasty
If the vestibule between the lip and the jaw ridge is too shallow, it is deepened surgically in a vestibuloplasty – for example so that a denture holds better.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
All-on-X
With All-on-X, a whole jaw carries fixed teeth on usually four to six implants. More about All-on-X & zygomatic implants →
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Zygomatic implants
If the bone of the upper jaw has receded severely, long zygomatic implants are anchored in the cheekbone. More about All-on-X & zygomatic implants →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Jaw misalignment (jaw surgery)
If the upper and lower jaw are not positioned correctly in relation to each other, orthognathic surgery corrects their position – always together with orthodontic treatment.
Orthognathic surgery
In orthognathic surgery, the upper and/or lower jaw is divided, moved into the planned position and fixed with small titanium plates – for example for an underbite, overbite or open bite. More about orthognathic surgery →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Upper jaw: Le Fort I osteotomy
In a Le Fort I osteotomy, the upper jaw is divided horizontally above the tooth roots and moved forwards, backwards, up or down.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Lower jaw: sagittal split
In a sagittal split osteotomy, the lower jaw is split lengthwise on both sides so that the tooth-bearing part can be moved forwards or backwards.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Chin correction
In a genioplasty, the bony chin is repositioned to change its shape, length or position – alone or together with jaw repositioning.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Surgically assisted palatal expansion
If the upper jaw of an adult is too narrow, the bone is weakened in a targeted way so that an orthodontic appliance can widen it (palatal expansion).
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Distraction osteogenesis
In distraction osteogenesis, the bone is divided and slowly pulled apart over weeks; new bone forms in the gap.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Facial injuries
After accidents, oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat fractures of the jaw and facial skeleton as well as injuries to the teeth and soft tissue.
Fractured lower jaw
A fractured lower jaw is put back into the correct position and usually stabilised with small titanium plates (osteosynthesis) so that the bite is right again.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Fractured cheekbone
A broken or depressed cheekbone (zygomatic fracture) is lifted back into place and fixed to restore the shape of the face and mouth opening.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Fracture of the orbital floor
In an orbital floor fracture, the thin floor of the eye socket breaks; this can cause double vision. The defect is bridged with a thin plate or foil.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Broken nose
A broken nose that has become crooked is straightened and stabilised with a splint. More about rhinoplasty →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Dental trauma
Loosened or displaced teeth are splinted. A knocked-out tooth can be put back in (replantation) if it is kept moist – for example in a tooth rescue box or in cold milk – and treated quickly.
Offered by me: practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl and University Hospital St. Pölten
Soft tissue injuries
Cuts and lacerations to the lip, cheek or oral mucosa are repaired layer by layer with fine sutures.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Tumours of the mouth, jaw and face
Tumours are removed completely and examined under the microscope. For malignant tumours, treatment is planned together with other specialties.
Benign tumours
Benign growths of the oral mucosa, jawbone or salivary glands are removed surgically.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Malignant tumours of the oral cavity
Oral cancer – for example of the tongue, floor of the mouth or cheek – is removed with a sufficient safety margin.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Skin tumours of the face
Light skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma is removed with a safety margin; the wound is then closed, often with skin from the surrounding area.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Removal of neck lymph nodes
With malignant tumours, lymph nodes in the neck are removed and examined (neck dissection).
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive surgery restores shape and function, for example after tumour operations or accidents.
Local flap
In a local flap, skin or mucosa from the surrounding area is moved or rotated to close a defect.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Tissue transfer with vascular connection
In microvascular tissue transfer, tissue – for example bone from the fibula – is taken together with its blood vessels and connected in the face. This makes it possible to rebuild even larger parts of the jaw.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Jaw joint
If a splint, exercises or physiotherapy are not enough, surgical procedures on the jaw joint are an option.
Jaw joint lavage
In arthrocentesis, the jaw joint is rinsed through fine needles to wash out inflammatory substances and improve mobility. More about TMJ treatment →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Joint endoscopy
In arthroscopy, the joint is examined through a small opening with a thin camera, rinsed and treated if necessary.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Open jaw joint surgery
For adhesions, a displaced articular disc or bony changes, the joint is operated on through an incision in front of the ear.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Jaw joint replacement
If the joint is severely destroyed, it can be replaced by a jaw joint prosthesis, usually custom-made.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Dislocated jaw
With a jaw joint dislocation, the mouth can no longer be closed; the lower jaw is put back into place. If it dislocates repeatedly, an operation may make sense.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Congenital malformations
Malformations of the jaw and face are treated in specialised centres, often over several years.
Cleft lip and palate
A cleft lip and palate is closed in several operations from infancy onwards.
Part of the specialty – not offered by me
Craniofacial malformations
Malformations of the skull and face, for example with craniosynostosis, are operated on in specialised centres.
Part of the specialty – not offered by me
Salivary glands
The large salivary glands are located in front of the ear, below the lower jaw and under the tongue.
Salivary stones
A salivary stone in the duct causes painful swelling when eating; it is removed, and if necessary the affected gland as well.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Removal of the parotid gland
In a parotidectomy, the parotid gland is partly or completely removed, usually because of a tumour; the facial nerve is preserved.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Inflammation
Inflammation in the jaw area often starts from teeth and can spread without treatment.
Draining an abscess
An abscess – a collection of pus, often originating from a tooth – is opened and drained; the cause is then treated.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Bone inflammation
In osteomyelitis, inflamed bone tissue is removed and treated with antibiotics at the same time.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
In osteonecrosis of the jaw, for example after certain osteoporosis or cancer medications, dead bone is removed and the wound is closed tightly.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten, in selected cases also in the practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl
Plastic and aesthetic facial surgery
Procedures to improve the function and appearance of the face.
Eyelid surgery
In eyelid surgery, excess skin and, if necessary, fat tissue on the upper or lower eyelid are removed, for example for hooded eyelids. More about eyelid surgery →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten with an ophthalmologist's report as an insurance-covered treatment; aesthetic procedures in cooperation with Dr. Matthias Karasek
Rhinoplasty
In a rhinoplasty, the shape and function of the nose are improved – for medical or aesthetic reasons. More about rhinoplasty →
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Scar revision
In scar revision, conspicuous scars on the face are cut out and re-sutured with little tension so that in many cases they become less noticeable.
Offered by me: University Hospital St. Pölten
Ear pinning
In otoplasty (ear pinning), protruding ears are brought closer to the head by reshaping the ear cartilage.
Part of the specialty – not offered by me
Treatments without surgery
In addition to operations, I offer treatments that do not require an incision: Botox for teeth grinding or expression lines, fillers with hyaluronic acid and PRF treatment with your own blood. I also prepare specialist medical reports.
Frequently asked questions
What does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon do?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats diseases, injuries and malpositions of the teeth, jaw, face and neck – mostly surgically. This ranges from wisdom tooth removal and implants to jaw corrections and the treatment of facial fractures and tumours.
What is the difference between a dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a medical specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery. For this I studied both human medicine and dentistry and completed several years of specialist training. Dentists refer patients when a procedure goes beyond general dentistry.
Which operations can be done as outpatient procedures?
Many oral surgical procedures and implant placements are carried out as outpatient procedures under local anaesthesia in my practices in St. Andrä‑Wördern, Frankenfels and Thörl. Larger procedures such as jaw corrections, tumour operations or the treatment of facial fractures take place at University Hospital St. Pölten.
How do I get an appointment?
In the practices you make your appointment directly on site. For my consultation hours at University Hospital St. Pölten, call +43 2742 9004‑22911 Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 10:30 am.
Do you have questions about a procedure?
Write to me – I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Get in touch