What Is Maxillofacial Surgery?

Maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who specialize in issues concerning the jaw, neck and mouth. They work with injuries, defects and diseases that can affect the tissues and muscles of the mouth and head, and often perform corrective surgery. Maxillofacial surgery is recognized by the American Dental Association as one of nine dental specialties.

Schooling

• To become a maxillofacial surgeon, one must first go to dental school and then continue on for another year or two with more schooling to become a specialist. Maxillofacial surgery is a difficult field, since many important nerves are located in the face. Maxillofacial surgeons specialize in cancers of the head and neck, plastic surgery of the face, craniofacial surgery, or traumas to the head and neck.

Referral

• Patients are usually referred to a maxillofacial surgeon when the problem is too difficult for a dentist or orthodontist to handle. Many maxillofacial surgeons do reconstructive surgery, where the face or jaw needs to be rebuilt due to severe over- or under-bite, or an injury. Other surgeries include the removal of impacted wisdom teeth or the issues that lead to facial pain, such as nerve damage.

Other Services

• All maxillofacial surgeons are also trained in the use of general anesthesia, nitrous oxide, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation. Almost all surgeries are performed in the doctor's office. In addition to facial reconstruction and removal of teeth, maxillofacial surgeons perform dental implantations, treat maxillofacial region infections and fix deformities like a cleft lip or palate.

Cancer

• Along with an oncologist, maxillofacial surgeons deal with cancers or tumors of the face and neck. If the tumor needs to be removed, a maxillofacial surgeon will be called in to help make sure the face isn't destroyed, or to aid in the removal of dead or damaged facial tissue. Maxillofacial surgeons who do with treatments for cancer usually complete even more additional training.

Sleep Apnea

• Maxillofacial surgeons also diagnose and treat people with sleep apnea. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 45 percent of Americans suffer from this condition where breathing stops while sleeping. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to issues such as exhaustion and eventually cardiac issues. Maxillofacial surgeons perform corrective surgeries that eliminate sleep apnea