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What You Need To Know About Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery

A dentist examines a patient's mouth using dental tools. The dentist wears blue scrubs and gloves, while the patient lies back, covered with a protective blue cloth.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is an exclusive specialty that combines dental and medical science. This specialty treats medical problems and conditions related to teeth, jaws, mouth, and face. Typically, the operations involved include trauma surgery, reconstructive surgery, and other dental procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction and dental implants. Specialists who perform such procedures must have relevant skills and expertise to fit this role.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or OMS, are the dental industry’s go-to experts for sophisticated surgical operations. OMSs are uniquely qualified to treat a wide range of disorders affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face due to their advanced degrees, surgical experience, and knowledge of facial aesthetics and function. Many people’s first encounter with an OMS is in developing a strategy for dealing with their wisdom teeth, even though this is only a minor fraction of what an OMS does.

An OMS vs Oral Surgeon

Though the term oral surgeon is often used, this dentist’s full designation is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or OMS. Typically, maxillofacial and oral surgeons are almost similar. Their training is based on oral and maxillofacial surgery. However, some surgeons restrict their exercise to office-based and oral surgery, while others choose hospital-based procedures. Dentists can perform little oral surgery, but they are not the same as oral surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Following graduation from dental school, an OMS often spends four to six years in a surgical residency program at a hospital. As a result of their ability to perform sophisticated treatments encompassing the entire maxillofacial area, OMSs are the dental industry’s true surgical specialists.

Roles Of An OMS

An OMS, like other medical residents, spends time learning the ins and outs of internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesia. They rotate across several areas, such as otolaryngology, which involves the ear, nose, and throat. They also do plastic surgery and emergency medicine. Also, they work hand in hand with other specialists such as surgical oncologists and orthopedic surgeons to manage serious problems such as facial and head trauma.

Some oral and maxillofacial surgeons continue their education at the graduate or medical levels. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently interact with anesthesiologists in training for your safety and comfort. Because of their significant training, an OMS is uniquely qualified to provide sedation and general anesthesia, which is not required for any other medical or dental specialty.

When You May Need An Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries manage traumas, diseases, and other defects of the mouth, face, and jaw. You may need a maxillofacial surgeon for complex surgical procedures such as chronic facial pain, bite abnormalities, cleft and palate repair, and bone-fused dental implants. Also, these surgeons treat patients suffering from trauma to the face or with unusual head, neck, and mouth growth.

An OMS will be able to perform such functions as the extraction of impacted, infected, or diseased teeth, the placement of dental implants, the treatment of TMJ disorders and facial pain, and the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cancers in the head, neck, and mouth. In a nutshell, oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform multiple complex operations.

What Are The Risks Or Complications Involved?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries are involved with risks such as infection, bleeding, pain, damage to facial muscles, variation of sensitivity to the mouth, and TMJ disorders. Also, a painful condition known as dry socket may arise after tooth extraction, with complications concerning blood clots. Facial nerves may also possibly get damaged.

When To See An Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon

You can see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you identify and experience signs and complications such as chills or fever, excessive blood or pus, abnormal swelling, and a metallic and salty taste in the mouth that doesn’t disappear. If you need oral surgery, contact us for more details.

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