Dentalwiki: Created page with "{{Infobox medical specialty | name = Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | image = | caption = A surgical team performing a corrective jaw procedure (Orthognathic surgery). | focus = Surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, neck, face, and jaws. | related_fields = Surgery, Dentistry, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Oncology }} ==Definition== '''Oral and Maxillofaci..."

2026-03-20T02:41:25Z

Created page with "{{Infobox medical specialty | name = Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | image = | caption = A surgical team performing a corrective jaw procedure (Orthognathic surgery). | focus = Surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, neck, face, and jaws. | related_fields = Surgery, Dentistry, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Oncology }} ==Definition== '''Oral and Maxillofaci..."

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{{Infobox medical specialty
| name = Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
| image =
| caption = A surgical team performing a corrective jaw procedure (Orthognathic surgery).
| focus = Surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, neck, face, and jaws.
| related_fields = [[Surgery]], [[Dentistry]], [[Otolaryngology]], [[Plastic Surgery]], [[Oncology]]
}}

==Definition==
'''Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)''' is a globally recognized dental specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of a wide range of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Due to the complexity of the anatomical region, OMFS is considered the "bridge" between medicine and dentistry, often requiring practitioners to be proficient in both fields.

==Scope of Practice==
The scope of OMFS is broad, ranging from minor office-based procedures to major hospital-based reconstructive surgeries:

===1. Dentoalveolar Surgery===
The most common aspect of OMFS in daily practice.
* '''[[Tooth extraction]]''': Management of erupted, broken, or complex teeth.
* '''[[Impacted teeth]]''': Surgical removal of third molars (wisdom teeth) that are trapped under the bone or gingiva.
* '''[[Preprosthetic surgery]]''': Recontouring the [[alveolar process]] to prepare for [[dentures]] or implants.

===2. Dental Implantology===
* Placement of '''[[Dental implants]]''' to replace missing teeth.
* '''[[Bone grafting]]''': Procedures like sinus lifts or ridge augmentations to provide sufficient bone volume for implants.

===3. Orthognathic Surgery===
Corrective jaw surgery to fix skeletal deformities, malocclusion, and obstructive sleep apnea. This involves surgically repositioning the '''[[maxilla]]''' or '''[[mandible]]''' to achieve functional and esthetic balance.

===4. Trauma Surgery===
Treatment of acute injuries to the facial skeleton and soft tissues.
* Repair of facial lacerations.
* Reduction and fixation of fractures (e.g., mandibular, maxillary, zygomatic, or orbital fractures).

===5. Pathology and Oncology===
* Surgical management of benign and malignant tumors of the oral cavity (e.g., [[Squamous cell carcinoma]]).
* Treatment of [[Odontogenic tumors]] and cysts.
* Salivary gland surgery.

===6. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery===
Surgical intervention for severe '''[[TMJ]]''' disorders, ranging from arthroscopy (minimally invasive) to total joint replacement.

==Education and Training==
The training pathway for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is among the most rigorous in the healthcare professions:
# '''Dental School''': Completion of a [[DDS]] or [[DMD]] degree.
# '''Residency''': A 4-to-6-year hospital-based surgical residency.
#* '''4-Year Program''': Leads to a certificate in OMFS.
#* '''6-Year Program''': Includes the completion of a Medical Degree (MD) alongside the surgical certificate.
# '''Fellowship''' (Optional): Further specialization in areas like Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery or Head and Neck Oncology.

==Clinical Techniques==
* '''[[Intravenous Sedation]] and General Anesthesia''': OMFS is the only dental specialty where practitioners are extensively trained to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia in an office setting.
* '''[[Guided Surgery]]''': Using 3D imaging ([[CBCT]]) and CAD/CAM technology to plan implants and jaw movements with sub-millimeter precision.

==See Also==
* [[Maxilla]]
* [[Mandible]]
* [[Dental implant]]
* [[General anesthesia in dentistry]]
* [[Le Fort fractures]]

[[Category:Dental Specialties]]
[[Category:Surgery]]

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Revision history