S.L. Raheja Hospital – A Fortis Associate has announced the launch of Mumbai’s first Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Craniofacial and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery. The new centre aims to deliver comprehensive and highly specialised care for patients with structural, functional, and injury-related conditions affecting the face and jaw.
Renowned Actor Mahesh Manjrekar Graces the Launch
The launch event was graced by acclaimed actor-director Shri Mahesh Manjrekar, who highlighted the growing need to increase awareness about facial and jaw health. He emphasised the importance of timely diagnosis and specialised intervention to prevent long-term complications and improve quality of life.
Advanced Care for Complex Facial and Jaw Conditions
As per the press release, the newly launched CoE is equipped to manage a wide spectrum of conditions, including jaw pain and stiffness, clicking or locking of the jaw, facial asymmetry, craniofacial deformities, cleft lip and palate, facial trauma, jaw cysts and tumours, and facial reconstruction. Moreover, the centre focuses on minimally invasive and precision-based techniques to restore jaw function, reduce pain, and enable faster recovery.
Rising Burden of TMJ Disorders Linked to Lifestyle Factors
TMJ disorders most commonly affect adults between 20 and 45 years of age, although individuals across all age groups can be impacted. According to Dr Tofiq Bohra, Head – Craniofacial & TMJ Surgery, S. L. Raheja Hospital sees nearly 50 TMJ-related patients every month, with numbers steadily rising. He attributes this increase to lifestyle-related factors such as stress, long working hours, poor posture, teeth grinding, and sleep disturbances. As a result, many patients undergo multiple treatments before receiving an accurate diagnosis and a structured treatment plan. The newly established CoE addresses this gap by offering diagnosis, advanced imaging, and pain management under one roof.
Lifelong, Multidisciplinary Care for Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions
In addition, the centre provides comprehensive, lifelong care for patients with cleft lip and palate, supporting them from childhood through adulthood. The multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to restore facial structure and function, supported by an expert dental team. Under the leadership of Dr Bohra, who has completed advanced TMJ Mini Residency training at the University of Maryland, USA, the centre brings together oral and maxillofacial surgeons, pain specialists, neurologists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists. Together, they offer services ranging from non-surgical pain management to complex TMJ reconstruction, supported by advanced 3D imaging and surgical planning.
Clinical Vision Focused on Precision and Long-Term Recovery
Speaking at the launch, Dr Tofiq Bohra said, “This Centre of Excellence has been created with a clear vision built on the pillars of precision, function, and aesthetics. Every facial and jaw condition is unique. Therefore, our focus remains on delivering advanced, minimally invasive, and precision-driven solutions that ensure long-term functional recovery while restoring patient confidence.”
Leadership Perspective on Integrated Patient-Centric Care
Dr Kunal Punamiya, CEO, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, added, “The launch of this Centre of Excellence reflects our commitment to making highly specialised facial and jaw care accessible to patients across Mumbai and beyond. By combining deep clinical expertise with Fortis Healthcare’s rigorous quality benchmarks, we aim to deliver consistently superior outcomes through an integrated, patient-centric ecosystem.”
Creating Awareness Beyond Treatment
Sharing his views, Shri Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar noted, “Facial and jaw conditions are often ignored until they begin to affect daily life, confidence, and self-expression. Centres like this play a vital role not only in treatment but also in creating awareness about early diagnosis and specialised care. Reaching the right specialist at the right time can significantly improve recovery and overall quality of life.”
Strengthening Specialised Healthcare in Mumbai
With this launch, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai continues to expand its portfolio of specialised services, reinforcing its commitment to delivering advanced, patient-focused care and improving health outcomes for the community.