Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical treatment of the head, face, and neck. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in performing surgery on both soft and hard tissues of these regions, including the mouth, teeth, and jaws.
Conditions
Oral and maxillofacial surgeries treat a broad range of conditions and symptoms, including impacted teeth, facial injuries and deformities, misaligned jaws, temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, sleep apnea, and oral cancers. Procedures include, but are not limited to, tooth extraction, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and dental implants.
Training and Certification
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained in their specialty. In addition to a graduate degree in dentistry, they must complete a four- to six-year surgical residency program, obtaining both an M.D. degree and certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Office-based Surgery
Because oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained in the use of anesthesia, they can often perform procedures in an office setting rather than in a hospital. That can decrease costs while increasing efficiency and patient comfort.
Insurance
Medically necessary oral and maxillofacial surgeries are usually covered to some degree by insurance. However, cosmetic oral surgeries such as dental implants are usually not covered by insurance. Talk to your surgeon and your insurance provider for details.
Finding a Surgeon
Your dentist or physician can often refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Fins a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) at ABOMS.org.
Tags: Oral Maxillofacial, dental implants, maxillofacial surgeons, maxillofacial surgeries, Maxillofacial Surgery
