Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Oral Surgeons

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon provides specialized care for diseases and injuries involving the face, mouth, jaws and teeth. Oral surgeons have advanced training and can perform a wide variety of procedures, including:

• Tooth extraction: One of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons is the removal of wisdom teeth. They may also be called upon to extract other impacted or diseased teeth. Oral surgeons will typically administer anesthesia when performing tooth extractions.
• Treatment of fractures, lacerations and other facial injuries: Oral surgeons can repair a variety of facial traumas, from broken jawbones to facial wounds to severed nerves.
• Treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and other joint damage: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can diagnose and treat facial pain. They may perform surgery to correct the problem, or refer the patient to other dental or healthcare specialists.
• Treatment of tumors and other infections: When patients have a cyst, tumor, cancer or other major infection of the mouth, jaw, head or neck, they are often referred to an oral surgeon for treatment.
• Dental implants: While dental implants are often performed by prosthodontists, oral surgeons may assist a restorative or cosmetic dentist when tooth implants require reconstruction of facial bones or gum tissue.
• Other cosmetic and reconstructive surgery: In addition to performing aesthetic procedures such as tooth replacements and cheek implants, oral and maxillofacial surgeons may repair bones and tissue damaged by trauma or tumors.
• Corrective surgery: Oral surgeons may perform or consult on procedures to repair underbites, overbites, cleft palates and other facial or skeletal issues.