Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical specialty that is meant to treat various diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, as well as the soft and hard tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) regions. This field is recognized the world over as a specialty of dentistry, but it is recognized in some places as a medical specialty.
Given the scope of the surgeries, dental school is a required training component for surgeons because of its focus on the facial complex. Additionally, it also requires years of hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training after graduation from dental school. Through these long years of study and training, oral and maxillofacial surgeons gain a thorough understanding of head and neck anatomy as well as form and function – knowledge necessary for the kind of operations that they’ll perform.
Surgeries on the facial complex include dental implant surgeries, wisdom tooth removal, corrective jaw surgery, trauma surgery, and facial aesthetics among others. These surgeries are for managing a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth and facial regions and are meant to correct defects, restore or improve appearance after injuries, and provide relief from any discomforts.
Dr. John Pasqual is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. For more information about his work, visit the Pasqual Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery official website.
