Prof. V. Rangarajan, Former President, Secretary, Indian Dental Association Madras State Branch, Secretary, Indian Prosthodontic Society, Vice-Principal, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Prosthodontics, Sri Venkateswara Dental College, Chennai, introducing Prof. Balaji and speaking about his achievements. ​

NEWS AT MEDIA
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-health/infant-from-pakistan-has-face-reconstructed/article6673693.ece

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Pakistani-boy-undergoes-successful-facial-reconstruction-in-Chennai/articleshow/45417407.cms

http://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/pakistan-boy-gets-new-face-chennai-216604.html

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/City-Doc-gifts-Sight-to-Pakistan-Kid/2014/12/09/article2561847.ece

http://newstodaynet.com/chennai/city-doc-gives-new-face-pak-lad

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/545865/Cleft-Pallet-India-Parents-Thanks-Graphic-Images-Surgery-Operation

A complex facial deformity in an Iraqi boy born with Crouzon syndrome, was successfully treated at our hospital. 

Fourteen-year-old Master Mustafa Awad was born with a rare facial bone deformity called Crouzon syndrome. This is a rare, autosomal dominant, genetically inherited condition in which there is premature fusion of the facial bones causing abnormal development of the skull and an obvious facial deformity. In addition, the growth and function of vital structures such as eye, ear, nose could be affected. 

Mustafa’s parents, both General Physicians prac­ticing in Iraq, were very worried about their son’s condition. Mustafa had an abnormally shaped skull & face. His eye sockets were shallow causing the eyes to become very bulging. He had a small upper jaw, sunken midface and protruding lower jaw. Also he had difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking & breathing difficulties during sleep. Due to his “different” appearance, children at his school used to stare at him a lot, making him very self-conscious and depressed. 

Dr. Salam Awad, Mustafa’s father, approached many doctors worldwide but was not satisfied with their treatment plans. Mustafa and his parents came to our hospital and having consulted Dr. S.M. Balaji, they were convinced that ours was the best centre to get the boy treated. Dr. Balaji assessed the boy's deformity using advanced 3DCT scan and decided to perform the latest Internal Distraction Osteogenesis to advance the face bones. 

Distraction Osteogenesis is a relatively new technique, where bone is expanded in a slow, controlled manner. Earlier huge box-type external rigid frames were used. For the first time, the latest internal distractors were employed. Using the recent type of multivector Distraction Osteogenesis called Kawamato Distractors, facial bones were expand­ed in 3 dimensions gradually over a month. The growth of the face bones was internally weak so rhBMP-2 protein was added to promote new bone growth. 

With gradual expansion of the bone everyday, the symptoms were reversed. Mustafa’s upper jaw was slowly brought forward thus increasing the volume of eye socket and reducing the bulging of the eyes. This dramatically improved his appearance giving him “a new face”. Breathing, chewing, speaking functions became easier. Mustafa is very happy with his improved look & that people will not stare at him anymore. The boy and his family were very pleased that the surgery has good results and they heartily thanked Dr. Balaji for his expertise.             The news about Dr. S.M. Balaji's achievement was given wide coverage by all sections of the media. The parents also gave an interview to share about their son’s condition and successful surgery. This increases awareness about such complex illnesses and their treatment options.

The world’s highest body in dental research is the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) with head quarters in USA. The association has about 12,000 members worldwide. The 92nd Annual Congress of this scientific body was held during June 25th – 28th 2014 at Cape Town, South Africa. To increase the quality of dental research and research manuscript across the globe, the IADR had organized a symposium to deliberate and identify possible solutions. 
In this symposium, Prof. S. M. Balaji, as Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery & Executive Editor, Indian Journal of Dental Research was invited to represent the Asian region in this one of its kind scholarly program. The Symposium was chaired by Prof. Kenneth A. Eaton, United Kingdom, Chairman of the British Dental Editor’s Forum. The other prominent faculty was Prof. William Giannobile, USA, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Dental Research.

Dr. S. M. Balaji, Director of BDCH was invited to deliver a guest Lecture at the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Dental Congress. (http://apdentalcongress.org/) 

The congress is one of the largest dental meetings in the world. It has the largest footfall and sees a plethora of scientific findings, innovations. 

Dr. Balaji was one of the very few selected surgeons selected to speak in this congress. He lectured extensively on the ways to regenerate the jaw bone after loss of the teeth. It is a common situation that residual jaw bone height diminishes after removal or extraction of teeth. 
Dr. Balaji spoke on length about the non-surgical ways through which the bone height could be drastically increased to place dental implants, citing his rich experience in the field.

Dr. S. M. Balaji was conferred with Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Padmashree Dr. DY Patil University, Mumbai, as a mark of appreciation of his contributions to dentistry and craniofacial deformed children. The Registrar of the University, Dr. Uday Shende, presented the degree to Dr. S. M. Balaji as he was not able to receive the degree in person.

His Excellency Mr. Danny Faure, Vice President of Seychelles inaugurating the Dental Implant Surgery Simulator  ipad based application at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital. Also seen are HE Mr. Waven William, High Commissioner of Seychelles at India, Mr. Sai, Hon. Consul General of Seychelles at Chennai, and Dr. S.M.Balaji.

Dr. S. M. Balaji explains the innovative "Tissue Expander" Craniofacial Surgery in a patient to His Excellency Mr. Dany Faure, Vice President of Seychelles. Seen along is HE Mr. Waven William, High Commissioner of Seychelles at India and Mr. Sai, Hon. Consul General of Seychelles at Chennai.

His Excellency Mr. Rollen Danny Antonie Faure, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles during an official visit to promote Indo-Seychelles relationship, visited Balaji Dental & Craniofacial Hospital.  He lauded the meritorious services rendered by Dr. S. M. Balaji to the Seychellois and the healthcare system of Seychelles.

Dr. S. M. Balaji has been rendering free surgical care to the African Island nation of Seychelles by perform­ing complex reconstructive surgeries for those afflicted with craniofacial deformities. Commending his expertise, His Excellency said that Dr. Balaji’s impeccable surgical acumen and diligent care has made the Hospital a preferred centre for the care of those affected with skull & face deformities, from all over the world.  His Excellency conveyed the respect and affection the people of Seychelles have for Dr. Balaji and also thanked him for mentoring maxillofacial surgeons in complex craniofacial surgery to provide better care at Seychelles.

His Excellency the Vice President, accompanied by HE Mr. Waven William, High Commissioner of Seychelles at India and Mr. M. Sesha Sai Mechineni, Hon. Consul General of Seychelles at Chennai, inaugurated the apple i-pad based dental implant surgery stimulatory application at the hospital. 

Nov 10, 2013: BITEIN is an all encompassing web portal disseminating the latest in dentistry and work & achievements of Indian dentists. Every year, eminent surgeons, academicians, researchers and dental practitioners are presented with prestigious BITEIN Dental Awards in their respective fields of specialty.  This year, Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji was honored & awarded by Prof. A.P. Chitre, Seniormost Maxillofacial Surgeon, at a function held in Mumbai. This Award was presented to Dr. Balaji in recognition of his exemplary success in the field of Maxillofacial surgery and research works.  
http://www.bitein.com/bawards2013.asp