Did you know that almost 60% of all facial trauma injuries in the United States involve surgery, including bone trimming or fixation?

That's a great many procedures, and it shows just how vital maxillofacial surgery is in modern oral health. 

It's not always about surgery, though it's about the proper equipment. Whether it's a simple extraction or the building of an entire jaw, detailed work requires detailed tools. And for most surgeons, there is a set of basics that gets used day in and day out.

"Even the most skilled hands can only do so much without the proper tool in their hand."

So, what are those tools that maxillofacial surgeons just can't live without? Here, we outline five things that no oral surgery setup should be without.

The Essential Toolkit: 5 Instruments Every Maxillofacial Surgeon Relies On

When you're in the middle of performing a facial surgery, particularly one involving bone, there is no time to waste. These are the top instruments for maxillofacial surgeons that surgeons in clinics and hospitals have come to rely on when it comes to precision, control, and patient safety.

1. Rongeurs – The Go-To Instrument for Bone Trimming and Extraction

Rongeurs are among the most common maxillofacial instruments, with specialized use in those procedures that require bone-cutting instruments in facial surgery. Their scoop-like, tapered tips and secure hold enable surgeons to clip or excise small bone fragments with precision, especially in situations where rotary instruments can cause too much trauma.

They are commonly used for:

• Impacted wisdom teeth removal
• Mandibular and maxillary fracture fixing.
• Alveoloplasty and bony overgrowth reduction

To the majority, double-action rongeurs are the first choice because they produce more force without added strain on the hand, a key plus during longer procedures.

Quick Fact: Rongeurs are utilized for more than 70% of bone reshaping or bone excision surgery, as documented in oral surgery case reports.

They're worth their cost and are long-lasting and reasonably priced; therefore can be a precious addition to any oral and maxillofacial setup, particularly when accuracy, fine bony detail requires correction.

2. Osteotomes – Precise Bone Grafting with Minimal Trauma

Rotary drills are sometimes too harsh on nerves or sinuses. Osteotomes are the answer. Osteotomes are precision, specialized instruments for jaw surgery used for precise bone splitting, opening up, and grafting - perfect for applying in implant placement and ridge augmentation.

Compared to power tools, osteotomes permit the surgeon to manually shape and compress bone, preserving its integrity while minimizing trauma to the surrounding area.

Some of the usages are:

• Sinus lifts
• Ridge expansion prior to implant placement
• Bone compaction in graft areas

They're perfect if you do have to preserve bone density. And then some surgeons simply prefer the sensation of osteotomes—there's something that you can't get with high-speed drills.

3. Periosteal Elevators – Gentle Access, Improved Visibility

Regardless of how sophisticated the procedure, all surgery begins with exposure, and this is where periosteal elevators prove their worth. Used for reflection and repositioning soft tissue, the instruments give the surgeon complete, unrestricted access to the bone.

They're irreplaceable for easy extractions and also for complex facial bone reconstruction.

Why are they so effective?

• They enable precise tissue separation without tearing.
• Reduce trauma to overlying structures and periosteum.
• Assist in maintaining visibility and control throughout surgery.

Question to ask yourself: Are the elevating instruments you're using currently assisting you in working efficiently, or complicating access more than it has to?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery essentials, periosteal elevators are not a comfort, yet an imperative. Their smooth, rounded tips are engineered to reduce bleeding and provide more uniform retraction, particularly in sensitive or tight situations.

4. Bone Plates & Screws – Stable Fixation for Facelifting Stability

Internal fixation is generally the key to long-term success in facial bone reconstruction or trauma fixation. Bone plates and screws are used to deliver the structural stability necessary to immobilize repositioned or fractured bones in the midface or jaw.

The following instruments are used in facial bone reconstruction:

• Fracture repair of Mandibular and maxillary 
• Orthognathic (jaw repositioning) surgery
• Post-tumor reconstruction cases
• Stabilization of zygomatic and orbital bones

Did you know? Plates and screws are employed to repair more than 60% of facial fractures treated in the United States, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

For every surgeon responsible for handling facial trauma or reconstructive surgery cases, these dental and maxillofacial surgical tools are essential. They hold bones in place where they belong, particularly during healing.

5. Surgical Handpieces & Burs – High-Speed Precision Cutting

When precision and speed are everything, such as in jaw surgery or tooth extraction, a trusty surgical handpiece can mean the difference between success and failure. With carbide or diamond burs, these high-speed instruments are used to section teeth, sharpen bone, and excise hard tissue effortlessly.

They're invaluable in:

• Impacted molar extractions
• Orthognathic osteotomies
• Contouring bone or osteoplasty
• Bone resection near cysts or tumors

Oral and maxillofacial surgery handpieces are engineered for more demanding procedures than standard dental drills. They offer:

• Increased torque without excessive heat
• Enhanced balance with reduced vibration
• Compatibility with a variety of oral surgery tools, including long burs and surgical blades

These devices are more than a nicety in the OR these days; they're a necessity for reducing operative time, improving cut quality, and facilitating overall surgical flow.

Final Thoughts

So, now that we've concluded, you know how much of a difference the right tools can make in oral and maxillofacial surgery. From cleaner bone cuts to less tissue trauma, all of these instruments have an incredibly unique (and highly significant) place in the surgical process.

Whether you're using something new or just refreshing your equipment that you use on a daily basis, ask yourself this question: Are your instruments today a reflection of your precision and workflow?

If not, you may want to look for something better.

At Surgical Republic, you'll discover a tested line of maxillofacial instruments - chosen with real-world clinical requirements in mind. Because in surgery, the little things do matter.