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What does a maxillofacial specialist do?

Author

Robert Miller

Published Feb 16, 2026

What does a maxillofacial specialist do?

Oral & Maxillofacial (OMF) Surgeons specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck.

What surgeries can an OMFS perform?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgeries of the mouth, jaws, and face. This includes dental implant surgery, bone grafting, wisdom tooth removal, corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), maxillofacial trauma, TMJ surgery, pathology & reconstruction, and facial cosmetic surgery.

What is the difference between oral surgery and maxillofacial?

Maxillofacial surgery is a more advanced form of oral surgery. A maxillofacial surgeon can do everything an oral surgeon can do, and much more besides. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon holds a medical degree and has extensive training in dental medicine.

Is Maxillofacial Surgery medical or dental?

Maxillofacial surgery is a unique specialty that merges medical and dental science. This branch of surgery encompasses procedures that treat trauma and diseases affecting the head and neck, with the exception of the brain. The maxilla is the major bone of the middle face which forms the upper jaw.

Are oral surgeons MDS?

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Some get a medical degree (an MD) along with their oral surgery diplomas. They put in at least 4 years of training in a hospital-based surgical program alongside medical residents in many different specialties, including anesthesia.

Can OMFS do general surgery?

Unique among surgical specialists in the U.S., oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to administer general anesthesia and deep sedation are licensed to do so in both hospital and office settings.

Does insurance cover Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral Surgery Procedures Most Insurance Plans Cover Certain oral and maxillofacial procedures are performed to correct medical problems that threaten a patient’s health. Some or all of the costs of these surgeries are typically covered by insurance. Facial surgery to repair injuries due to physical trauma.

What is maxillofacial pain?

Orofacial pain is a general term covering any pain which is felt in the mouth, jaws and the face. Orofacial pain is a common symptom, and there are many causes.

Do maxillofacial surgeons go to medical school?

Typical training for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon includes: Two to four years undergraduate study (BS, BA, or equivalent degrees). Four years dental study (DMD, BDent, DDS or BDS). Four to six years residency training (six years includes two additional years for acquiring a medical degree).

What is the difference between a dentist and oral surgeon?

One of the biggest differences between a dentist and an oral surgeon is the amount of training required. After completing years of additional training, oral surgeons further develop their expertise by performing complicated procedures for dental implants, jaw joint issues, facial pain, and wisdom teeth extraction.

Why would a dentist refer you to an oral surgeon?

Your dentist might have referred you to an oral surgeon for dental implant placement, wisdom teeth extractions, oral pathology, or jaw surgery. While dentists are trained to perform many types of procedures, sometimes specialists are needed to deliver highly focused and complex care.

Is OMFS an MD?

The residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is designed to meet the requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The program leads to an MD degree and certification in OMFS and can be combined with a PhD, depending on satisfactory progress.

What is faciomaxillary surgery?

Faciomaxillary Surgery (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) ‘The Faciomaxillary Unit treats disorders of the face, mouth and jaws. The unit specialises in the management of trauma of the face, facial infections, orthognathic surgery, jaw surgery and dento-alveolar surgery’. All specialists have dual qualifications in both medicine and dentistry.

What is an oral and maxillofacial specialist?

Specialty. 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,

What are the working conditions for a facio-maxillary surgeon?

Under normal working conditions, the Facio-Maxillary Surgeon will perform their duties in climate controlled purpose built health facilities. Normal working conditions include those encountered on operations, training exercises and in barracks.

What is oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS or OMS) specializes in surgery of the face, mouth, and jaws.