What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS or OMFS, for short) is a surgical specialty of the American College of Surgeons that specializes in treatment and surgery of the face, oral cavity, neck, mouth, and jaw. Surgeons in this field are trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments of these areas.

The training required to become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is rigorous and unique, as it requires a mastery of both dentistry and medicine. A degree in dentistry (DDS or DMD) is required first, after which trainees go through a thorough and exhaustive 4-6 year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that covers a wide scope of practice: oral cavity surgery, dental implant surgery, dentoalveolar surgery, orthognathic surgery, reconstructive craniofacial surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, head and neck oncological surgery, and more. 

In addition to training in surgery, trainees in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery go through extensive training in general anesthesia. This training ranges from General Anesthesia at the deepest level, to IV Sedation General Anesthesia, and also includes pediatric and adult anesthesia management. 

Because of the background and training required, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty of its own kind. Its blend of both medical and dental science is unique in the field of medicine, and all OMS Surgeons are highly qualified clinicians and surgeons that are uniquely prepared to take care of you and your concerns. 

Please check out the video below, from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, detailing both what Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is and what an OMS Surgeon does.