If you are like most adults over the age of 18, you’ve probably had your wisdom teeth removed.  If you have, then you most likely saw an Maxillofacial Surgeon. Surely they must do more than pull teeth, and they do. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons care for patients with problem wisdom teeth, facial pain, and misaligned jaws. They treat accident victims suffering facial injuries, place dental implants, care for patients with oral cancer, tumors and cysts of the jaws, and perform facial cosmetic surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession. In addition to earning their degree in dentistry, they also complete four to six year surgical residencies that specifically train them in anesthesia administration including local anesthesia (shots), laughing gas, I.V. sedation and general anesthesia.  All of this extra education makes the Maxillofacial Surgeon highly qualified  to diagnose, treat and manage the conditions, defects, and injuries of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Among the conditions and symptoms treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons are:
Diagnosis and management of impacted teeth and tooth extraction
The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow at an angle relative to the other teeth, partially emerge from the gum, or even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Facial pain, including problems related to issues relating to temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique joint that is located in front of the ear where the skull and the lower jaw meet. It allows the lower jaw to move and function. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction may present a variety of symptoms such as earaches, headaches, neck pain, and limited mouth opening. People may also complain of joint noises such as clicking or grating sounds, or pain when opening and closing the mouth.  TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery.
Diagnosis and removal of oral cancers
Maxillofacial Surgeons can treat cancers in the head and mouth region, by performing biopsies and other tests and procedures that are required to diagnose the problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment and repair of injuries to the face, jaws, mouth and teeth caused by trauma
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts in treating trauma, including fractures of the upper and lower jaws and eye sockets, and the cosmetic management of facial injuries.
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is an important member of your dental team of specialists due to their advanced training in anesthesia, their surgical and dental background and their ability to reconstruct facial structures damaged through trauma and/or cancer.

If you are like most adults over the age of 18, you’ve probably had your wisdom teeth removed.  If you have, then you most likely saw an Maxillofacial Surgeon. Surely they must do more than pull teeth, and they do. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons care for patients with problem wisdom teeth, facial pain, and misaligned jaws. They treat accident victims suffering facial injuries, place dental implants, care for patients with oral cancer, tumors and cysts of the jaws, and perform facial cosmetic surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession. In addition to earning their degree in dentistry, they also complete four to six year surgical residencies that specifically train them in anesthesia administration including local anesthesia (shots), laughing gas, I.V. sedation and general anesthesia.  All of this extra education makes the Maxillofacial Surgeon highly qualified  to diagnose, treat and manage the conditions, defects, and injuries of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Among the conditions and symptoms treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons are:

Diagnosis and management of impacted teeth and tooth extraction
The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow at an angle relative to the other teeth, partially emerge from the gum, or even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

Facial pain, including problems related to issues relating to temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique joint that is located in front of the ear where the skull and the lower jaw meet. It allows the lower jaw to move and function. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction may present a variety of symptoms such as earaches, headaches, neck pain, and limited mouth opening. People may also complain of joint noises such as clicking or grating sounds, or pain when opening and closing the mouth.  TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery.

Diagnosis and removal of oral cancers
Maxillofacial Surgeons can treat cancers in the head and mouth region, by performing biopsies and other tests and procedures that are required to diagnose the problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment and repair of injuries to the face, jaws, mouth and teeth caused by trauma
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts in treating trauma, including fractures of the upper and lower jaws and eye sockets, and the cosmetic management of facial injuries.

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is an important member of your dental team of specialists due to their advanced training in anesthesia, their surgical and dental background and their ability to reconstruct facial structures damaged through trauma and/or cancer.

-Cheryl

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2 Responses to “Maxillofacial Surgeons – Who are they and why are they important to patients?”

  1. joannie swanson Says:
    June 6th, 2010 at 4:21 am

    I actually work for an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon & I know how frustrating it can be for him to explain to pts what his scope of practice actually entails. This is a very well written 'explanation' of what being an OMS is & does. Thank you for putting this out there.

    Joannie
  2. Gene Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Hi Joannie! Thank you and I’m glad you enjoyed the information :)

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