Oral surgeon (maxillofacial surgeon)
Oral surgeons (also called maxillofacial surgeons) are dentists who specialize in surgery of the mouth and jaw.
Oral surgeons treat and reconstruct areas of the face, head, or neck after an injury or surgery. They prepare the jaw for denture construction, treat temporomandibular (TM) joint problems, perform cosmetic surgery, and treat birth defects (such as cleft lip and palate) or growth disturbances of the jaw.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have graduated from an accredited dental school and completed a residency program approved by the American Dental Association Commission in Dental Accreditation. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may be board-certified through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise