Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is used to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. A recognized international surgical specialty, it is also one of the specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association.

Oral Surgeons: Changing Lives with a Smile

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the only dental specialists who, after completing dental school, are surgically trained in an American Dental Association-accredited hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years. They train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesiology; and also spend time in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and other specialty areas.

Their training focuses almost exclusively on the hard and soft tissue of the face, mouth, and jaws, and their knowledge and surgical expertise uniquely qualify them to diagnose and treat functional and aesthetic issues in this part of the body.

Conditions and Treatments

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon has many years of education and hands-on training to provide treatment for a wide range of conditions.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop. Sometimes they emerge from the gum line, and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but more often than not, they fail to appear and become impacted. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed.

Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be removed by the time a patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing.

Facial Trauma

Maxillofacial injuries or facial trauma encompass any injury to the mouth, face, and jaw. One of the most common types of serious injury to the face occurs when bones are broken. Fractures can involve the lower jaw, upper jaw, palate, cheekbones, eye sockets, or combinations of these bones.

These injuries can affect sight and the ability to breathe, speak, and swallow. Because of this, the expertise of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is indispensable. Avoiding injury is always best, so it’s vital for anyone who participates in athletics, at any level, to use seat belts, protective mouthguards, and appropriate masks and helmets.

Oral Cancer

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. If you notice white or red patches, an abnormal lump, chronic sore throat or hoarseness, or difficulty chewing or swallowing, you should contact your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He or she will remove a section of tissue to perform a biopsy and diagnose the problem.

Implants

Dental implants are long-term replacements for missing teeth that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone. Composed of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, dental implants do not slip or decay. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem.

Outpatient Anesthesia

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons possess the ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia, including local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. During their surgical residency, residents must complete a rotation on the medical anesthesiology service, where they become competent in evaluating patients for anesthesia, delivering the anesthetic, and monitoring post-anesthetic patients.