What is Maxillofacial Surgery?

Maxillofacial surgery focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the jaw, face, head, and neck. It includes everything from correcting congenital jaw misalignments and repairing facial injuries to treating TMJ dysfunction and cysts.

At Lake River Oral & Facial Surgery, we approach each case with advanced imaging, meticulous planning, and close collaboration with your wider care team, including orthodontists and physicians when needed. Our goal is to restore balance, function, and long-term comfort while keeping you informed and supported throughout the process.

Periodontist

Dr. Shayda Sarrami, DDS

Dr. Shayda Sarrami is a skilled periodontist with a reputation for combining surgical expertise with compassionate, patient-centered care. She’s certified in both Washington and Oregon, with credentials in moderate anesthesia, ACLS, and BLS. Dr. Sarrami specializes in treating gum disease, placing dental implants, and performing advanced cosmetic periodontal procedures. She’s also certified in LANAP®, a minimally invasive laser treatment that promotes faster healing with less discomfort.

After earning her DDS from the University of Texas Health School of Dentistry in San Antonio, Dr. Sarrami practiced general dentistry in the Pacific Northwest before completing her periodontics residency at OHSU. She went on to co-establish a thriving periodontal program in Texas before returning home to Portland in 2024 with her husband and their dog, Rio.

Patients know Dr. Sarrami for her warmth, honesty, and clear communication. She takes time to understand each patient’s needs and collaborates closely with referring dentists to ensure continuity of care and successful outcomes.

Periodontist

Dr. Steven Hokett, DDS

Dr. Steven Hockett is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology with more than 20 years of experience treating advanced gum disease, placing implants, and performing surgical procedures to restore oral health and function. He is licensed in both Oregon and Washington and certified in moderate anesthesia, ACLS, and BLS.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hockett has earned the trust of patients and colleagues alike for his clinical precision, ethical approach, and deep commitment to quality care. As a board-certified periodontist, he stays current with the latest advances in regenerative therapy, soft tissue grafting, and implant dentistry to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Whether he’s helping patients reverse the effects of gum disease or working alongside referring doctors to create comprehensive treatment plans, Dr. Hockett brings a steady hand and a caring heart to every case.

How we raise the bar for your care

Collaborative, Comprehensive Care

We work closely with referring dentists, orthodontists, and medical providers to ensure your care is integrated, timely, and truly effective for complex bite or facial structure issues.

Advanced Imaging for Precision

With 3D imaging and digital surgical planning, we can diagnose more accurately, plan with greater precision, and reduce surprises during surgery.

Empathy-Led Treatment Planning

These conditions can be life-altering—and the solutions often feel overwhelming. We’re here to help answer your questions, explain your options clearly, and support you every step of the way.

What our Patients Say

Fantastic time here! All of the staff are always so kind and welcoming, they do everything they can to make you feel comfortable! I even got lucky & got to watch a Disney movie while waiting for my sedation to kick in, before I knew it I was waking up without my wisdom teeth!

Kailey

I typically do not write reviews, but my experience here with Dr. Lazar was phenomenal. She took the time to explain what the procedure and answered all of my questions. The post-procedure phone call that evening was completely unexpected - she just called to check in to see how I was doing.

Jim

Entire staff from front desk to oral surgeon were incredible. Very professional and accommodating during a very anxiety inducing wisdom tooth extraction. The procedure went quick and they explained all post care instructions with care.

Emily

It is no exaggeration when I say that this is the best experience that I've ever had with a medical procedure.

Jeremy

I can’t thank Dr. Chodroff and his staff enough for restoring my husbands health and smile! You guys saved his life basically. His health, physically and mentally, were very poor previous to this surgery. Thank you so very much, we can’t recommend you guys more! We are so grateful for my husbands bright future thanks to you!

Sean's Wife

Services designed around your needs

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TMJ Surgery

Chronic jaw pain, clicking, or limited movement can be signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. When conservative treatments don’t provide relief, surgical intervention may be necessary to eliminate your pain and restore your jaw function.We take a conservative-first approach offering joint evaluations, imaging, and surgical options like arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, or open-joint surgery when needed. Our surgeons focus on long-term joint health, function, and comfort, helping you get back to pain-free movement and everyday ease.

Orthognathic (Corrective Jaw) Surgery

For patients with severe bite misalignment, facial asymmetry, or airway concerns, corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, can dramatically improve function, aesthetics, and quality of life. We collaborate closely with your orthodontist to plan every step digitally and precisely. Whether you're struggling to chew, breathe properly, or feel confident in your appearance, we’ll help realign your jaw and restore facial harmony with surgical precision and a deeply supportive care experience.

Facial Trauma Repair

Accidents happen but when facial bones are fractured or teeth are displaced, urgent care matters. Our surgeons are highly trained in managing soft tissue injuries, fractures of the jaw or cheekbones, and dental trauma. Whether you arrive through a hospital referral or directly to our office, we act quickly to stabilize injuries, minimize scarring, and support full, confident recovery.

Botox for TMJ Relief & Cosmetics

Whether you're struggling with jaw tension or looking for subtle aesthetic improvements, Botox offers a powerful, non-invasive solution. For patients with TMJ disorders, Botox can help relax overactive jaw muscles, reduce clenching and grinding, and provide lasting relief from headaches and facial discomfort. Cosmetically, it softens fine lines and smooths dynamic wrinkles—especially around the forehead, eyes, and brow—without changing your natural expressions.

Nerve Repositioning & Repair

In cases of nerve impingement, trauma, or when planning for full-arch implants, repositioning or repairing the inferior alveolar nerve may be necessary to preserve or restore sensation. These procedures require a high degree of surgical skill, which our board-certified surgeons bring to each case. We prioritize clear pre-op imaging and careful planning to minimize risk and support long-term nerve health.

Oral Pathology

If you’ve been diagnosed with a cyst, growth, or unusual lesion in the mouth or jaw, our surgeons can provide accurate diagnosis and safe removal with minimal impact on surrounding tissue. We perform biopsies and pathological evaluations to detect benign or malignant conditions and work closely with your broader healthcare team if further treatment is needed. Early evaluation is key—don’t wait to bring something concerning to our attention.

Done with dentures? Let’s talk about a smile that lasts

There’s a better solution to dentures that can completely change your life. All-on-X permanently replaces a full arch of teeth and allows you to eat the food you want, smile with confidence, and preserve your healthy jawbone.

At Lake River Oral & Facial Surgery, you'll receive a truly white glove experience from start to finish. Including concierge-level guidance, honest treatment planning, bundled pricing, and a surgical team that’s fully invested in getting it right the first time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Answering your questions.

Maxillofacial surgery addresses a wide range of conditions. This includes but is not limited to:

Jaw misalignment and TMJ issues
Facial trauma
Cysts
Congenital concerns like cleft palate

If a problem affects your ability to chew, speak, breathe, or feel comfortable in your own skin, maxillofacial surgery can get you back to feeling your best.

Most procedures are done on an outpatient basis in our fully equipped surgical suites, so you can recover at home the same day. In rare cases such as major trauma or complex jaw surgeries, we may coordinate care at a local hospital and work with your medical team to ensure safe, seamless treatment. We will let you know exactly what to expect throughout the process to make sure you are fully prepared every step of the way.

Jaw surgery is typically recommended when bite problems can’t be fixed through orthodontics alone, or when issues like speech difficulties, airway restriction, or facial imbalance are present. We’ll work with your orthodontist and use digital planning tools to assess timing, benefits, and outcomes before recommending any surgical steps.

Yes, we’re experienced in both primary repair and later-stage procedures for patients born with cleft conditions. We collaborate with pediatricians and cleft teams to provide age-appropriate, milestone-based care that supports speech, nutrition, growth, and appearance over time.

In many cases, yes. Because maxillofacial treatments often address medical as well as dental concerns, both medical and dental insurance may apply. Our team will help you understand your coverage, pre-authorize where possible, and make sure you’re not surprised by costs.

whether you’re a patient or a provider, let’s talk

2040

Lake River Oral & Facial Surgery

Expert Maxillofacial Surgery