KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Everyone wants to look attractive. But some are born with facial deformities and some are due to injuries.

Injuries cause problems such as dislocation of the jaw joints, fractures of facial bones and overgrowth of facial bones. In such a situation, not only does the face look unattractive, but also food consumption and speaking become difficult. These problems can be treated with oral and maxillofacial surgery. 

Doctors stated that the number of people visiting the Bir Hospital with such problems has increased in the last two years.

Ankit Chaudhary, 26, from Janakpur was born with dislocated jaw bones. His face looked elongated as his jaw bones were dislocated. He experienced severe pain and discomfort while consuming food.

He went to Nepal Medical College in Kathmandu during the lockdown imposed after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to seek treatment. But the doctors’ suggestion to place braces stating that his teeth were not aligned did not convince him. He then reached Bir Hospital with his relatives.

At Bir Hospital, he met senior orthodontist Manish Bajracharya. He underwent surgery in mid-December. After the operation, he is now healthy and looks attractive. “I used to face severe pain while eating meals, now it has become easier,” said Chaudhary.

Similarly, the face of Sharmila Thapa (name, surname changed), 23, from Kathmandu was also mismatched. Her ear joints used to hurt when consuming food. She used to be humiliated in front of her friends because she didn’t appear attractive. She used to put on a mask if she had to go outside.

She visited a government hospital in Kathmandu. She put dental braces but there was no improvement. An oral and maxillofacial team treated her at the Bir Hospital in mid-July.

After the treatment, she is now able to eat food easily, and her face has also become attractive. “Earlier, she used to be mentally distressed worrying about her face. Now, she laughs and talks with everyone,” said Bajracharya, a senior orthodontist involved in the treatment.

According to Kishor Bhandari, senior oral and maxillofacial surgeon of the Bir Hospital, the number of people seeking this service has been increasing since the last two years.

Most of those who want a facelift are young people between the ages of 18 and 25. Among the youth, 50 percent are male and 50 percent are female.  

Some come for treatment on referrals from other hospitals, while others get information from other sources. When someone comes with the problem of malocclusion (misaligned teeth), the problem is found to be facial asymmetry. According to doctors, 60 people have undergone maxillofacial surgery so far.

According to the oral and maxillofacial unit of the hospital, about 50 people underwent surgery in the last two years. Doctors stated that such surgery can be done up to the age of 50 years if the patient’s health condition is good.

Doctors Bhandari and Bajracharya said that the number of patients has increased due to the excellent service of Bir Hospital. According to Bhandari, the number of patients has increased due to modern treatment in Bir Hospital. In the early years of the service, facial measurements were taken using a manual system and surgeries were performed accordingly.

After doctors Bajracharya and Bhandari returned after receiving training from China and America, digital technology was used in treatment.  Using this technique through a special app, the unnecessary part is surgically removed by measuring the face.

With this technique, the face becomes attractive after conducting surgery. Also, there is no need for frequent surgeries and the possibility of error in the treatment is also very low. “Oral and maxillofacial surgery in Bir Hospital is similar to America. All the patients are satisfied with the treatment,” said Bhandari.

Bajracharya said that due to the increased number of patients, there is a shortage of surgery rooms. According to him, only two oral and maxillofacial surgeries are performed in Bir Hospital in a month. Because of this, patients have to wait for a long time for their treatment.

 
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