Start with what you need treated.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery covers a broad range of procedures addressing complex dental, jaw, and facial conditions, from impacted wisdom tooth extraction and corrective jaw surgery to treatment of facial trauma, cysts, and tumors. The surgeon evaluates the specific condition using clinical examination and imaging such as CT scans to plan the appropriate surgical approach, which can range from a straightforward outpatient procedure under local anesthesia to more extensive surgery under general anesthesia. Recovery time varies significantly based on the procedure, from a few days for simple extractions to several weeks for jaw realignment surgery. Pain management, dietary modifications, and careful oral hygiene are important during the healing period. Follow-up visits monitor healing and ensure proper function is restored. Most patients achieve significant improvement in oral function, appearance, and comfort.

Root canal treatment is performed when the soft pulp tissue inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, cracks, or repeated dental procedures, causing significant pain and risk of abscess. The dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the inner canals of the tooth, and fills them with a biocompatible material before sealing the tooth, often followed by placement of a crown for added strength. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is generally no more uncomfortable than a routine filling, typically completed in one to two visits of 60 to 90 minutes each. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal and managed with over-the-counter pain relief. The treated tooth can function normally for many years, often for life, with proper care. This procedure effectively eliminates the infection while preserving the natural tooth.

Tooth-colored, or composite, fillings are used to restore teeth affected by decay, using a durable resin material that is matched to the patient's natural tooth shade for a seamless cosmetic result, unlike traditional silver amalgam fillings. The dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth, cleans the cavity, and applies the composite material in layers, hardening each with a special curing light before shaping and polishing it to match the tooth's natural contour. The procedure is completed in a single visit under local anesthesia, typically taking 20 to 60 minutes depending on the size and location of the cavity. Some mild sensitivity to temperature may occur for a day or two after treatment. Composite fillings bond directly to the tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth than older filling materials. With good oral care, these fillings typically last seven to ten years or longer.

Hair transplantation restores hair growth in balding or thinning areas by transplanting individual hair follicles from a donor region, typically the back and sides of the scalp where hair is genetically resistant to thinning, to the recipient area. The two main techniques are follicular unit extraction (FUE), where individual follicles are removed one at a time, and follicular unit transplantation (FUT), which uses a strip of scalp tissue. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can take four to eight hours depending on the number of grafts required. Transplanted hairs typically shed within a few weeks before new growth begins around three to four months later. Full results are generally visible within twelve to eighteen months. The transplanted hair grows naturally and permanently, requiring no special ongoing treatment beyond normal hair care.

Beard transplantation addresses patchy or sparse facial hair growth by transferring individual hair follicles from the scalp, usually the back of the head, to the beard area using the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique. The surgeon carefully places each follicle to match the natural direction and angle of beard hair growth, ensuring a realistic result across the jawline, cheeks, and mustache area as desired. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes four to six hours depending on the number of grafts needed. Mild scabbing and redness in both the donor and recipient areas are expected for about a week. Transplanted hairs shed within a few weeks before regrowing permanently starting around three to four months later. Final, fuller results are typically visible after ten to twelve months.

Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is an advanced variation of the FUE hair transplant technique, in which individual follicles are extracted and then implanted directly into the scalp using a specialized implanter pen, eliminating the need to pre-make separate recipient site incisions. This allows the surgeon greater control over the angle, depth, and direction of each hair placement, often resulting in higher graft survival rates and more natural density. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes six to eight hours depending on the number of grafts. Minimal bleeding and faster initial healing are notable benefits of this technique. As with other transplant methods, transplanted hairs shed initially before regrowing permanently over three to four months. Full results are generally visible by twelve to fifteen months after the procedure.

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare, slow-progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which abnormal B-lymphocytes with a distinctive 'hairy' appearance under the microscope accumulate and crowd out healthy blood cells. Treatment typically involves a short course of purine analog chemotherapy, most commonly cladribine, given as a continuous infusion or over several daily doses, which is highly effective at inducing long-term remission. Patients are monitored closely during treatment for infection risk due to temporarily lowered blood counts, sometimes requiring a brief hospital stay. Regular blood tests and bone marrow evaluations track the response to treatment over subsequent months. The majority of patients achieve durable remission lasting many years after a single course of treatment. Long-term follow-up continues to monitor for the rare possibility of relapse.

Laser hair removal targets the pigment in hair follicles with focused laser energy, generating heat that damages the follicle and inhibits future hair growth, while leaving surrounding skin unaffected. Because hair grows in cycles, multiple sessions, typically six to eight spaced four to six weeks apart, are needed to effectively treat follicles at different growth stages. Each session takes anywhere from 15 minutes for small areas to over an hour for larger areas like the legs or back, with mild discomfort often described as a rubber band snap. Some redness and slight swelling around hair follicles is common immediately after treatment and typically resolves within a few hours to a day. Patients are advised to avoid sun exposure before and after sessions to reduce the risk of skin irritation or pigmentation changes. Most patients achieve significant, long-lasting hair reduction, though occasional touch-up sessions may be needed over time.

Laser skin resurfacing improves skin texture and appearance by using controlled laser energy to remove damaged surface layers of skin, while stimulating collagen production in deeper layers for a smoother, more youthful appearance over time. It is commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, and uneven pigmentation, with ablative and non-ablative laser options chosen based on the severity of concerns and desired downtime. The procedure typically takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the treatment area, performed under topical numbing cream or local anesthesia for more intensive treatments. Redness, swelling, and peeling are expected for several days to two weeks depending on the laser type used, with ablative treatments requiring more downtime than non-ablative options. Sun protection is essential during recovery to protect the new, sensitive skin. Results continue to improve over several months as new collagen forms.

Melasma treatment addresses a common pigmentation disorder causing brown or grayish patches, typically on the face, that are often triggered or worsened by sun exposure, hormonal changes, and pregnancy. Treatment usually combines strict sun protection with topical agents such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, or azelaic acid to lighten pigmentation, sometimes supplemented with chemical peels or targeted laser and light-based therapies for more resistant cases. Each treatment session, whether a peel or laser procedure, typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and requires little to no downtime, though some redness may occur temporarily. Because melasma tends to be a chronic, recurring condition, a maintenance regimen of sun protection and topical treatment is usually needed long-term. Improvement is gradual, often taking several weeks to months of consistent treatment to see significant results. Managing triggers such as sun exposure and certain hormonal medications is key to preventing recurrence.

Melanoma treatment centers on surgical excision of the tumor with an adequate margin of healthy tissue, determined by the thickness and depth of the melanoma, to ensure complete removal of cancerous cells. For thicker or higher-risk melanomas, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is often performed simultaneously to check whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia for smaller lesions or general anesthesia for larger excisions or when combined with lymph node surgery, taking one to three hours. Depending on the stage, additional treatments such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy may be recommended after surgery for higher-risk cases. Regular dermatological follow-up and skin self-examination are essential after treatment to monitor for recurrence or new lesions. Early-stage melanoma detected and treated promptly has a very high cure rate.

Skin lymphoma, most commonly cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is treated based on the stage and extent of skin involvement, ranging from topical steroids and chemotherapy creams for limited early-stage disease to phototherapy (UVB or PUVA), radiation therapy, or systemic treatments including chemotherapy and targeted biologic agents for more advanced or widespread disease. Treatment plans are individualized following a thorough evaluation including skin biopsies and staging investigations to determine the extent of disease. Early-stage treatments are often outpatient-based with minimal disruption to daily life, while more advanced disease may require periodic hospital visits or short admissions for systemic therapy. Regular follow-up monitors treatment response and watches for disease progression or recurrence. Many patients, particularly those with early-stage disease, achieve long-term disease control with appropriate treatment. A multidisciplinary team approach involving dermatology and oncology typically guides ongoing care.