Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Smile Solutions Melbourne - Board-Registered Specialist Surgeons product guide

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Smile Solutions Melbourne

When dental challenges extend beyond the scope of general dentistry, Smile Solutions connects you with board-registered Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who combine the full depth of both dental and medical training. Located within Australia's largest single-location private dental practice at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne - the iconic Manchester Unity Building - our oral and maxillofacial surgery service brings specialist surgical expertise together with the broader multidisciplinary team under one roof.

What Is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is a highly specialised field encompassing the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and management of diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, and facial structures - including their function and appearance. It is one of the most demanding surgical specialties in existence, requiring practitioners to hold qualifications in both dentistry and medicine.

Unlike any other dental specialty, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon undergoes 15 to 17 years of continuous study. They complete degrees in both Dentistry and Medicine before undertaking an additional four years of specialist training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, culminating in fellowship examinations with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS). This dual qualification means your surgeon can assess and manage your oral condition within the full context of your medical health - a critical advantage in complex or medically compromised cases.

At Smile Solutions, all Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are registered specialists with the Dental Board of Australia.

Our Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

A/Prof. Patrishia Bordbar BDSc, MBBS (Hons), PGDip.Surg.Anat, MDSc OMS, FRACDS (OMS), FRCS (Ed) Specialist Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgeon

A/Prof. Bordbar holds a rare dual fellowship - FRACDS (OMS) from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and FRCS (Ed) from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. She is also a Postgraduate Diploma holder in Surgical Anatomy, reflecting an exceptionally broad foundation for complex craniofacial and reconstructive work. Her scope spans the full breadth of oral and maxillofacial surgery, including orthognathic (jaw) surgery, facial reconstruction, oral pathology, and oral medicine. Second opinion consultations are available with A/Prof. Bordbar for patients seeking an expert review of a prior diagnosis or proposed treatment plan.

Dr Ricky Kumar BHB, MBChB, BDS, FRACDS (OMS) Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr Kumar brings dual-degree training from the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, combining a Bachelor of Health and Science, a Medical degree, and a Dental degree before completing his specialist FRACDS (OMS) fellowship. He manages the full scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures, with expertise in wisdom tooth surgery, implant placement, and surgical management of facial conditions.

OralMax - our oral and maxillofacial surgery service - operates from Harley House, 2/71 Collins Street, Melbourne, with consultations also available at Smile Solutions at 220 Collins Street.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Services

Complex Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt and frequently fail to fully emerge, becoming impacted within the gum or bone. Impacted teeth can cause infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and significant discomfort. Many wisdom tooth extractions are straightforward, but some present genuine complexity - particularly when teeth lie in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve (which provides sensation to the lower lip and chin) or the maxillary sinus.

In these higher-risk cases, referral to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is recommended. Their medical and surgical training provides the depth of experience needed to minimise risk and manage any complications that may arise, and they have access to hospital facilities should general anaesthesia (GA) be required. Only board-registered specialists with the appropriate hospital credentialing are able to perform procedures in private hospital settings - an important distinction when your case is complex.

Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery

Jaw surgery - also called orthognathic surgery - is the repositioning of one or both jaws to correct severe skeletal discrepancies. When a patient's jaw growth is significantly imbalanced, the resulting malocclusion (bad bite) cannot be corrected by orthodontics alone. Jaw surgery addresses the underlying bone position, while orthodontic treatment aligns the teeth around the new jaw relationship.

The conditions it addresses include underbite, overbite, and open bite, and the consequences of these extend beyond aesthetics - chewing difficulties, speech issues, headaches, jaw joint pain, and facial profile changes can all result from untreated jaw discrepancies.

At Smile Solutions, orthognathic surgery is a collaborative process. Our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons work in close partnership with our specialist orthodontists, who manage the pre-surgical and post-surgical orthodontic phases. Pre-surgical orthodontics typically takes between six and 18 months, aligning the teeth so that the bite will fit correctly once the jaw is repositioned surgically.

The surgical procedure itself involves carefully sectioning the jaw behind the back teeth - not at the joint. Small incisions are made inside the mouth, leaving no external scarring. Titanium plates and screws hold the repositioned jaw in place as healing occurs. Most patients can open their mouth immediately after surgery, and incisions either dissolve or are removed within five to seven days.

Orthognathic consultation fee: $300 (Medicare rebate of $86 applicable).

TMJ (Jaw Joint) Surgery

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the lower jaw to the skull on both sides. TMJ disorder can cause limited jaw movement, jaw and facial pain, difficulty chewing, and locking of the jaw. For most patients, non-surgical management is appropriate - but in cases where conservative treatment has not resolved symptoms, surgical intervention by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon may be considered.

TMJ consultation fee: $300 (Medicare rebate $86).

Dental Implant Placement and Bone Grafting

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb over time. This can progress to the point where there is insufficient bone volume to support a dental implant. An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon can perform bone grafting to rebuild the jaw prior to implant placement, as well as surgically placing the titanium implant fixture itself.

At Smile Solutions, our OMS team works closely with our specialist prosthodontists, who design and deliver the final implant restorations, and our specialist periodontists, who manage the surrounding gum and bone health. This integrated team approach ensures every aspect of an implant case - from surgical placement through to the final crown - is managed by specialists working in coordination.

Implant consultation fee: $250 (Medicare rebate $86).

Zygomatic Implants

For patients with severely resorbed upper jawbones where conventional implants or bone grafting are not viable options, zygomatic implants offer an advanced solution. These longer implants are anchored into the dense cheekbone (zygoma) rather than the alveolar bone of the jaw, bypassing the need for extensive grafting. Zygomatic implant cases at Smile Solutions are typically referred through Dr Jaclyn Wong, our specialist prosthodontist, and managed by our OMS team.

Sinus Lifts (Sinus Augmentation)

In the upper jaw, the maxillary sinuses sit close to where posterior implants are placed. When bone height in this region is insufficient, a sinus augmentation (sinus lift) procedure raises the sinus membrane and places bone graft material to create space for implant placement. This is a procedure commonly performed by our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in preparation for implant placement.

Facial Trauma and Reconstruction

Facial trauma can displace bones, damage soft tissue, and compromise both function and appearance. Our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are trained to assess and manage facial injuries, including jaw fractures, with the ability to coordinate care with other medical and dental professionals. Depending on complexity, reconstruction may involve realigning bone and securing it with small plates and screws.

Oral Cancer Diagnosis and Reconstruction

Our OMS specialists diagnose and treat oral tumours and cancers. Where cancer surgery is required, reconstruction using tissue from elsewhere in the body may restore form and function to the affected area. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely positioned for this work given their dual dental and medical training.

Oral Cysts and Jaw Pathology

Oral cysts and benign tumours are relatively common in the mouth and jaw regions. While not typically cancerous, they can cause irritation, infection, or structural compromise and often require removal. Depending on the size and nature of the lesion, removal may be performed under local anaesthesia or may require a more extensive surgical approach.

Oral Medicine Consultations and Oral Pathology

Oral medicine consultations are available for the assessment of mucosal lesions, ulceration, atypical facial pain, burning mouth, dry mouth, and other conditions that do not require surgery but benefit from specialist assessment. A/Prof. Bordbar's background in oral and cranio-maxillofacial surgery gives her particular depth in diagnosing and managing these complex presentations.

New patient / oral medicine consultation: $190 (Medicare rebate $80). Second opinion consultation (A/Prof. Bordbar only): $450 (Medicare rebate $86).

Consultation Fees Summary

• New patient / oral medicine consultation: $190 (Medicare rebate $80)
• Implant consultation: $250 (Medicare rebate $86)
• Orthognathic consultation: $300 (Medicare rebate $86)
• TMJ consultation: $300 (Medicare rebate $86)
• Second opinion (A/Prof. Bordbar only): $450 (Medicare rebate $86)

Why Dual Qualification Matters

The requirement that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons hold both dental and medical degrees is unique to this specialty. It means your surgeon understands your dental anatomy and your medical physiology in equal depth. For complex cases - patients with significant medical comorbidities, those requiring general anaesthesia in a hospital environment, or those needing reconstruction after trauma or cancer surgery - this dual qualification is not a credential formality. It is a clinical necessity.

Only board-registered specialists are permitted to operate in private hospital settings. This is a safeguard that matters when your procedure carries any meaningful risk.

The Smile Solutions Advantage: Integration

Oral and maxillofacial surgery rarely exists in isolation. Jaw surgery requires orthodontic co-management. Implant placement requires prosthodontic planning and periodontal support. Complex cases may involve oral medicine, oral pathology, or coordination with other medical specialists. At Smile Solutions, every one of these disciplines is available within the same practice.

Smile Solutions was founded by Dr Kia Pajouhesh in 1993 and has grown into Australia's largest single-location private dental practice, now occupying five floors and the tower of the Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street. The practice brings together more than 20 board-registered specialists across all major dental specialties - an environment unique in Australian private dentistry.

This level of integration matters enormously. Your orthodontist and your oral surgeon communicate directly. Your prosthodontist plans the implant restoration before the surgeon places the fixture. There is no referral lag, no information loss, and no divide between the surgical and restorative aspects of your care.

Our practice has been rated 4.9 stars across 937 Google reviews by our patients, with not a single negative review - a reflection of the care and attention with which every patient is treated.

If you require a consultation with one of our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, no referral is needed. Call us on 13 13 96 or visit us at Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne to arrange an appointment. Payment plans through Payright, Humm, or MyDentaPlan are available to assist with the cost of treatment. Complimentary consultations may be offered for certain treatment pathways - please ask our team when you call.

The Smile Solutions Group - Referral Network

The Collins Street Specialist Centre receives referrals from both Smile Solutions and Core Dental locations across Melbourne, ensuring patients throughout the group have access to specialist care. Core Dental is the suburban arm of the Smile Solutions Group, operating across 7 locations in metropolitan Melbourne. Patients at any Core Dental practice requiring oral and maxillofacial surgical care are referred directly to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street - the specialist hub for the entire group. This integrated referral pathway removes the need for patients to navigate external specialist practices. Phone: (03) 9650 2726.