Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

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. Patients who complain of pain or problems in this area are routinely referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for help.

Following dental school, oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete a minimum of four years in a hospital-based surgical residency program. They train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesiology, and spend time in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and emergency medicine.Their training focuses almost exclusively on the hard (ie, bone) and soft (ie, skin, muscle) tissue of the face, mouth, and jaws.