When you’re faced with an impending oral or maxillofacial surgery (OMS), it’s important to select a trustworthy, skillful, and reputable doctor. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the highest trained and most experienced in the dental field. OMS surgeons complete an additional four to six years of hospital-based residency programs after completing dental school, resulting in a board certification. Because OMS specialists are solely focused on oral and maxillofacial procedures, you can trust that you are truly in the hands of a certified expert that will provide you with top-quality and comfortable care. OMS specialists treat a range of conditions including:
• Misaligned jaws • Impacted wisdom teeth • Tooth and bone loss • Chronic jaw or TMJ pain • Facial trauma • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking • Missing teeth • And more
Though many patients opt to have their wisdom teeth removed, it is not always necessary. However, patients who choose to keep their wisdom teeth should consult an OMS regularly about maintenance. Each patient and case is unique, but dental professionals generally recommend the removal of wisdom teeth if there are signs of periodontal disease, infection, cavities, damage to neighboring teeth and/or cysts or tumors.
If a patient’s teeth show none of these signs, have completely erupted from the gums, are functional, painless and free of cavities and disease, they may not require removal. It is key to continue scheduling dental checkups at least annually to track the growth of wisdom teeth, and an OMS can help develop a plan for proper care.
Dental Implants
As pioneers of the dental implant procedure, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are leaders in the innovative techniques that deliver a natural-looking solution for missing or damaged teeth. Their extensive surgical training allows OMSs to successfully place dental implants in most patients, even if they have been deemed as “high risk.”
Orthodontic or Preprosthetic Surgery
A patient may be referred to an OMS for a surgical procedure before orthodontics or being fitted for prosthetics. In these cases, the OMS prepares the mouth for what comes next. In the case of orthodontic surgery, that may mean the removal of over-retained baby teeth or the exposure of unerupted teeth. Before fitting for prosthetics, an OMS might remove excess bone and gum tissue or smooth and recontour the bone ridge dentures rest on.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Problems chewing, swallowing or speaking could be evidence of differences in skeletal growth between the upper and lower jaws. Corrective jaw – or orthognathic – surgery can correct a range of major and minor dental and skeletal irregularities, realigning teeth and improving basic functions such as chewing and breathing.
Submit Your Appointment Request
Utah Specialty Dental Group practices a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise extending from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal. At USDG, we can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, TMJ disorders, and perform a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures. Please feel free to contact us are your earliest convenience to schedule a consultation.
