Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating 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. This field is unique in that it requires expertise in both medicine and dentistry, and professionals in this area are skilled in surgery to address complex conditions that affect the mouth, teeth, jaw, and facial structures.
One of the most common procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons is the extraction of wisdom teeth, which are the last set of teeth to develop and may cause pain or dental complications if they do not emerge properly. However, the scope of practice for these surgeons extends much further to include dental implants, reconstructive surgery following trauma or cancer surgery, corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), cleft lip and palate surgery, and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Advanced techniques and technologies, including 3D imaging and computer-guided surgery, play a crucial role in enhancing the precision and outcomes of these complex surgical interventions.
