Maxillofacial Surgery: Advanced Dental Care for Your Face, Mouth, and Jaw
Facing a complex dental issue that goes beyond routine care? A maxillofacial surgeon might be the answer. These highly skilled specialists are dental experts with advanced medical and surgical training, equipped to handle a wide range of conditions affecting your face, mouth, jaws, and neck.
What sets maxillofacial surgeons apart?
- Expertise in both dentistry and medicine: Maxillofacial surgeons have completed dental school plus an additional four to six years of medical and surgical residency. This makes them uniquely qualified to treat complex conditions that involve both the soft and hard tissues of the face.
- Masters of complex procedures: From wisdom tooth removal and dental implant placement to corrective jaw surgery and facial reconstruction, maxillofacial surgeons possess the advanced skills needed to address challenging cases.
- Focus on restoring function and aesthetics: Whether you need to correct a misaligned jaw, repair facial trauma, or replace missing teeth with dental implants, a maxillofacial surgeon can help you regain optimal oral health, function, and confidence.
Maxillofacial Surgeons Specialties
- Advanced dental implant placement: Including zygomatic implants for patients with significant bone loss.
- Corrective jaw surgery: To improve chewing, speaking, and breathing, and enhance facial appearance.
- Wisdom tooth removal: Even in complex cases with impacted teeth.
- Facial trauma treatment: Repairing fractures and restoring function.
- TMJ disorder management: Relieving jaw pain and improving joint function.
- Bone Grafting: Dental bone grafting to help build up the jawbone in preparation for dental implants.
Do you need to see a maxillofacial surgeon?
If you experience any of the following, a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon is recommended:
- Jaw pain or TMJ problems
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Facial trauma or injury
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Missing teeth and considering dental implants
- Concerns about your facial appearance
What’s the difference between maxillofacial surgery and oral surgery?
Oral surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons have the same education and credentials, and they perform many of the same procedures. For example, both types of surgeons extract teeth, conduct bone grafts, and place dental implants. However, maxillofacial surgeons also handle more complex procedures, such as reconstructive facial surgery. Oral surgeons primarily work in private practices and outpatient surgery centers, while maxillofacial surgeons typically operate in hospital settings.