facial cosmetic surgery is a group of procedures that reshape or rejuvenate facial features for aesthetic goals. It can involve skin, soft tissue, fat, muscle, cartilage, and bone, depending on the area being treated. It is commonly provided by plastic surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons, sometimes in collaboration with dentists and orthodontists. In dental-related care, it may be discussed when facial balance and the smile, jaws, or bite are being evaluated together.

parotidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the parotid gland. The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and sits in front of and below the ear, over the back of the jaw. parotidectomy is commonly used to diagnose and treat parotid gland tumors and other significant gland problems. It is typically performed by head and neck surgeons (ENT) or oral and maxillofacial surgeons, often with dental teams involved when oral structures are affected.

submandibular gland excision is a surgical procedure to remove the submandibular salivary gland. The submandibular gland sits under the jaw (beneath the mandible) and produces saliva. This procedure is commonly used when the gland is repeatedly infected, blocked by stones, or contains a tumor. It is typically performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon.

sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a very small endoscope to look inside the salivary gland ducts. It is most commonly used in the major salivary glands, especially the parotid (near the cheek) and submandibular (under the jaw) glands. It can be diagnostic (to find a cause of blockage) and therapeutic (to treat the blockage during the same session). Clinicians often use it to manage obstructive salivary gland problems such as salivary stones and duct narrowing.

salivary stone removal is the clinical process of taking a calcified blockage (a “stone”) out of a salivary gland duct. It is most commonly used when a stone reduces or blocks saliva flow and triggers swelling or pain. It may be performed in a dental, oral surgery, or ear-nose-throat (ENT) setting depending on the gland involved. The goal is to restore saliva drainage and reduce repeated inflammation or infection risk.

sialolithiasis is the medical term for a salivary gland stone that partially or fully blocks saliva flow. It most often affects the submandibular gland (under the jaw), but it can involve the parotid gland (near the ear) or smaller glands. It is commonly used in dentistry, oral medicine, ENT (ear–nose–throat), and head-and-neck care to describe obstructive salivary gland disease. The typical symptom pattern is swelling and discomfort that can worsen around mealtimes.

salivary gland surgery is a group of procedures used to diagnose or treat problems affecting the salivary glands and their ducts. Salivary glands make saliva, which helps with swallowing, speaking, and protecting teeth. These surgeries are most commonly performed for stones, infections, cysts, and tumors in the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, or minor salivary glands. Care may involve dental clinicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeons, depending on the gland and condition.

hyoid suspension is a surgical procedure that repositions and stabilizes the hyoid bone in the neck. It is most commonly discussed in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and related airway obstruction. The goal is to help keep the lower throat (hypopharyngeal) airway more open during sleep. Dentistry may intersect with it through sleep screening, oral appliance therapy, and multidisciplinary airway care.

genioglossus advancement is a jaw-based surgical procedure that moves part of the tongue’s main anchoring muscle forward. It is most commonly used in sleep medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery to address tongue-base airway narrowing. The goal is to help keep the tongue from falling backward during sleep. It is often considered as part of a broader, “multi-level” treatment plan for obstructive sleep apnea.

UPPP stands for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. It is a surgical procedure that reshapes tissues at the back of the throat, often involving the soft palate and uvula. It is most commonly used in the evaluation and treatment pathway for obstructive sleep apnea and problematic snoring. It is typically performed by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon rather than a dentist.