Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and surrounding facial structures. These procedures are often recommended for patients with skeletal or dental irregularities caused by congenital defects, trauma, disease, or developmental issues. They may also be necessary to treat oral cancer, jaw cysts, or other serious conditions affecting oral health and facial symmetry.

Patients requiring maxillofacial surgery may experience challenges such as difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking, or an imbalanced facial appearance. The goal of treatment is to correct functional problems while restoring natural, aesthetic balance to the face and jaw.

Common oral and maxillofacial procedures include:

• Wisdom tooth removal
• Tooth extractions
• Dental implant placement
• Reconstructive or corrective jaw surgery
• Bone grafting
• Surgical correction of oral and facial deformities
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder treatment
• Trauma repair of facial injuries
• Surgical treatment for oral cancers and cysts

Depending on the complexity of the case, oral and maxillofacial surgeons often collaborate with plastic surgeons and other specialists to ensure both optimal function and the most aesthetically pleasing results.

Additional Resources

MedlinePlus
National Institutes of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
WebMD