Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis of diseases, disorders or injuries to the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are trained in dentistry and they use their skills to treat a wide variety of conditions. This includes the correction of congenital abnormalities, the treatment of facial trauma and the reconstruction of the face following surgery.

How is it Performed?

The surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a dentist who has undergone training in this speciality. The most common procedure performed by a surgeon is the extraction of wisdom teeth. Other common procedures include:

• The correction of jaw deformities
• The correction of cleft lip and palate.
• The treatment of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) disorders
• And, the surgical placement of dental implants.

Benefits of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

There are many benefits of oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The most obvious benefits are:

• It can improve the function and appearance of your teeth and jaws.
• If you have missing teeth, oral surgery can help to restore your smile.
• If you have misaligned teeth, oral surgery can help to straighten them.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery can also help to improve your speech and chewing function.

Why is OMF Important?

The term ‘oral and maxillofacial’ refers to the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. There are many reasons why oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery is an important speciality.

1. One reason is that the mouth is a very delicate and complex structure. The teeth, gums and jaw all work together in a very precise way and when one part of the mouth is not working correctly, it can have a ripple effect on the rest of the mouth.
2. Another reason why oral and maxillofacial surgery is important is that it can have a profound impact on a person’s appearance.
3. A third reason is that oral and maxillofacial surgery helps in recovering from facial injuries.