Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

What Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists with advanced training and expertise in diagnosing and treating various head and neck conditions and injuries. After four years of dental school, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon completes four to six years of additional formal training in treating the craniomaxillofacial complex. This specialty is one of 9 dental specialties recognized internationally and by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Which Oral Health Conditions Call for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

An Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon can diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. The following are just some of the many conditions, treatments, and procedures oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to handle:

• TMJ, Facial Pain, & Facial Reconstruction
• Dental Implants
• Tooth Extractions & Impacted Teeth
• Wisdom Teeth
• Misaligned Jaws
• Cleft Lip & Palate
• Apicoectomy
• Oral Cancers, Tumors, Cysts, & Biopsies
• Sleep Apnea
• Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Can an Oral Surgeon Help with an Impacted Tooth?

Yes! Impacted teeth occur when a tooth cannot grow through the gum line due to overcrowding or a jawbone anomaly. These are some of the most common conditions addressed by oral surgeons. There are three types of impactions:

• Soft Tissue Impaction: The upper portion of the tooth (the crown) has penetrated through the bone, but the gingiva (gum) covers part or all of the tooth’s crown and has not been positioned properly around the tooth. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, food can become trapped below the gum and cause an infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.
• Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum and surrounding jawbone. Again, because it is difficult to keep the area clean, the infection will commonly occur.
• Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth is completely encased by the jawbone. This will require more complex removal techniques.

Do You Need Oral or Maxillofacial Surgery in Houston, Texas?

Our Beechnut Dental Care team is expertly equipped to tackle simple and complex oral surgeries. If you are looking for skilled dentists you can trust, look no further than our team! Get in touch with us today to learn more!