Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the treatment of problems affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and related facial structures. Procedures are often performed on patients with skeletal and dental irregularities that occur as a result of congenital defects, injury, disease or other factors. Maxillofacial surgery is also performed to treat patients with oral cancer and jaw cysts.
Patients with these conditions may have an abnormal or unbalanced facial appearance, and may have difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking. The goal of oral and maxillofacial surgery is to treat the problem while achieving the most aesthetically pleasing result possible.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery may include tooth extractions, reconstructive jaw surgery, and treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Depending on the patient's condition and the surgical repair necessary, oral maxillofacial surgeons may work in conjunction with plastic surgeons to achieve the best results.