If you compare old-fashioned surgery and modern surgery you will realize and appreciate the fact that the
latter has managed to develop in a great way. One development associated with the present surgery is the specialization in specific specialties by surgeons that is normally in a structure or part of the body and of course on occasion in patient type or just a specific technique.
One of the internationally acknowledged surgical fields is the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In most of
Europe, UK and Australia, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is recognized as a specialty of both dentistry and medicine and therefore a dual degree in dentistry and medicine is required. On the other hand, in the USA and other countries such as New Zealand, India and Brazil, OMFS or OMS is recognized as a specialty of dentistry.
What are Involved in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is often viewed as the link between dentistry and medicine. The surgical specialty involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and defects that affects the mouth (oral), and jaws and face (maxillofacial), and neck and head. As you can see this particular specialty is
very broad in nature.
The Key Operations Carried Out in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
There are a number of operations that are usually carried out within this specialty and they are done under conscious sedation or local anesthesia or general anesthetic. Some of the operations include:
- Removal of impacted teeth and even dental roots that are buried
- Removal of malignant tumor of the jaws
- Temporomandibular joint surgery
- Facial reconstruction and removal of facial skin tumors
- Primary/secondary surgery in regards to congenital facial deformities including cleft palate and cleft lip
- Surgical rectification of facial disproportion.
Conclusion
Because of the nature of the work, the surgeons specialized in the particular specialty often work in close collaboration with other specialists in various fields
