Oral Surgery

   Oral surgery is an area of dental specialty involving repair of bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and neck for functional and esthetic (cosmetic) reasons. Procedures performed by an oral surgeon include:
Diagnosis and management of jaw temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including evaluation of patients with TMJ disorder differential diagnosis of head, neck, and facial pain, and surgical management of TMJ abnormalities including long-term management following surgery. The oral surgeon will also recognize and discuss non-surgical treatment options.

Dental implant procedures to replace missing teeth or stabilize dentures. In some cases this may include reconstructive bone surgery to ensure strong replacement teeth that look and feel natural.

Reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries to correct soft tissue and bone damage or to change unwanted features. Includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital, developmental, and acquired esthetic facial deformities such as cleft lip/palate; grafting of skin, bone and tissue from other parts of the body; and esthetic surgery involving the face, gums and teeth.

Removal of impacted or buried teeth, retained roots following an extraction, and wisdom teeth. Diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, tumors (both malignant and non-malignant) and of trauma to the oral and maxillofacial (jawbone) region.

Oral surgeons frequently work alongside other specialists including dentists, orthodontists, restorative dentists, oncologists, ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons and other surgeons and professionals allied to medicine.