Procedures

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession. Their extensive education and training, surgical expertise and unparalleled understanding of esthetics and function uniquely qualify them to treat the conditions, defects, injuries and esthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the bone and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. The term “maxillofacial” refers to the areas beyond the mouth, including the hard and soft tissues of the head, face, and neck. In essence, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the orthopedic surgeon of the facial region. Following graduation from dental school (DDS or DMD), the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) completes a postdoctoral hospital-based surgical and anesthesia residency program, which requires up to an additional 6 years of training. They train with medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery and anesthesiology, and also spend time in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and emergency medicine. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are unique among non-anesthesiology practitioners in health care. During years of hospital training, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon receives extensive schooling in medical and dental aspects of anesthesia. No other dental or medical specialty includes this level of training. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon is an expert in pain and anxiety control and possesses extensive clinical experience in all levels of sedation and general anesthesia.