Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical specialty focusing on reconstructive surgery of the face , facial trauma surgery , the oral cavity , head and neck , mouth , and jaws , as well as facial cosmetic surgery. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a regional specialist surgeon who treats the entire craniomaxillofacial complex : anatomical area of the mouth , jaws , face , and skull , head and neck as well as associated structures. Depending upon the national jurisdiction, oral and maxillofacial surgery may require a degree in medicine , dentistry or both. In the U. Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is an internationally recognized surgical specialty. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is formally designated as either a medical, dental or dual medical and dental specialty. In countries such as the UK and most of Europe, it is recognised as a specialty of medicine with a degree in medicine and an additional degree in dentistry being compulsory. In the United States, oral and maxillofacial surgery is a recognized surgical specialty , formally designated as a dental specialty. A professional dental degree is required, [2] a qualification in medicine may be undertaken optionally during residency training.
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OMF surgery is unique in requiring a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry, and is often seen as the bridge between medicine and dentistry, treating conditions that require expertise from both backgrounds such as head and neck cancers, salivary gland diseases, facial disproportion, facial pain, temporomandibular joint disorders, impacted teeth, cysts and tumours of the jaws as well as numerous problems affecting the oral mucosa such as mouth ulcers and infections. Many OMF surgeons focus on one of these areas to develop a sub-specialist interest within the scope of the wider specialty. Find out more here. The assessment and treatment of oral and maxillofacial conditions can be complex and, at times, confusing for patients. Find more information about your treatment here. In this section you can browse and find the various common symptoms and conditions that the maxillofacial surgeons manage. Your Surgeon may have recommended a particular procedure for you.
You may have heard the term dental surgeon. Or perhaps the term oral surgeon. Maybe you have been told by your dentist that you need oral surgery. But what is oral surgery and what is an oral surgeon? But many people do not know exactly what an OMS does and the broad scope of procedures included in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Like everyone else you go on the internet to do research and might come across these dental terms and it might be very confusing. We hope to give you a better understanding with this article as well as introduce why an OMS plays such a vital role during the COVID pandemic so far. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons OMS is a specialty within dentistry, but it is also viewed as a surgical specialty encompassing both dentistry and medicine together. Oral surgery, such as an extraction of a tooth or dental implant procedure, is surgery that is performed in the oral cavity mouth. There is a significant difference between having an oral surgery procedure and seeing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon OMS.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of disorders affecting the facial complex and skeleton, including the jaws and oral cavity. These include a range of common oral surgical problems eg. Following the acquisition of dental and medical degrees, prospective trainees must complete basic general surgical training as residents and then apply to be selected into one one of the six Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training Centres. Specialty training involves four years with an examination in the first year and the final examination in the fourth year. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training, together with a compulsory research component and the final Fellowship qualification, are recognized by both the Australian Medical Council and the Australian Dental Council. The training, accreditation and examination requirements are administered by the Board of Studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Patients are referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon by both general and specialist dental and medical practitioners. In many instances, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons work in collaboration with other specialists such as orthodontists, ear nose and throat surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and oncologists as part of multidisciplinary teams to optimise the treatment of major conditions and diseases of the mouth, faces and jaws. An overview of the main sub-specialist areas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is outlined on this website. Join Today Renew Now.
