What Is An Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon ?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are dentists that focus on treating issues that relate to the hard and soft tissue of the face, jaw, and mouth. Essentially, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, also referred to as OMS, have undergone extensive education and training in both the surgical and dental fields. In fact, the American Dental Association recognizes oral and maxillofacial surgeons as the only dental specialists who have spent at least four years of training in a hospital-based residency program. The AAOMS—the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons—reports that these surgeons train in a wide variety of medical fields, making them uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat many conditions.
During the four years that OMS students are spending in their residency programs, what are they learning about? Oral and maxillofacial surgeons gain expertise in areas like anesthesiology, plastic surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, otolaryngology, general surgery, and other specialized areas. Your general dentist or doctor might refer you to an OMS in the event that you sustain certain damage to the dental region of your face and jaw, or if your dentist believes that a tooth extraction would be better performed by an OMS.
Many oral surgeons practice out of an office, similar to the way your dentist works, or in a hospital setting.
Procedures:
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Oral surgeons are able to improve jaw irregularities that can help improve speaking, breathing, and chewing. This is done by the oral surgeon realigning the jaw into the proper position. This type of surgery can also help correct cleft palates and lips.
Tooth Removal
If you have any teeth that are damaged or impacted, an oral surgeon is able to remove them.
Dental Implants
Although dental implants can be placed by a cosmetic or restorative dentist, oral surgeons are able to reconstruct the bone in the areas where you will be receiving dental implants. Oral surgeons can also reconstruct gum tissue around the implant in order to create a more natural look.
Oral Cancer Treatment
In the more advanced stages of oral cancer, an oral surgeon is able to perform specific operations. These surgeries include:
- Removal of the tumor
- Removal of cancer cells that have spread to your neck
- Reconstruction of your mouth following the operation
Treating TMJ Issues
Temporomandibular joints connect the jaw to the temporal bones. These joints allow you to move your jaw side to side, and up and down. Oral surgeons are able to evaluate images of the joints and can make suggestions to dental specialists or physical therapists on the proper treatment. Sometimes surgery may be required when the joints have been damaged.
Reconstructive Surgery
In the event you have experienced any kind of trauma to your jaw, facial bones or facial soft tissues, an oral surgeon will be able to correct the issues. The surgery can restore functionality to the affected area by using skin, nerves, or bones from other parts of your body.
