A oral surgeon is a specialist who diagnoses and surgically treats diseases, injuries, and defects of the head, neck, face, mouth, teeth, and jaws. They complete six years of hospital-based surgery and anesthesia training beyond dental school, making them experts in treating the hard and soft tissues of the face.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is an exciting career with a variety of opportunities to treat patients in a rewarding hospital environment. This includes repairing facial trauma, reconstructing cleft lips and palates and treating cancers of the mouth. It also involves working alongside other medical and dental specialists to improve a patient’s quality of life.

As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you will be trained to use cutting-edge techniques and technology. This allows them to perform complex restorative procedures that are more complicated than what a regular dentist can do.

Most people who visit an oral surgeon do so after being referred by a dentist. They are usually looking for treatment for a complex issue such as severe tooth decay or misalignment of the teeth and jaws. This is where an oral surgeon’s expertise will be useful.

Oral surgeons are specially trained to deal with these kinds of problems and can use their skills to improve a patient’s smile and confidence. They are also trained in using the latest techniques to help patients relax during their treatment. This is important as the recovery from these kinds of procedures can take longer than for other types of dental treatments.

One of the most common procedures that an oral surgeon will perform is a bone graft. This is when a piece of healthy bone is taken from another area of the body and inserted into the jawbone to stimulate new bone growth. This is often needed when there is a lot of gum disease and the bones have been destroyed by the bacteria.

This type of procedure is used in conjunction with other dental work, such as implants or dentures. It can be very effective in restoring the shape and function of a patient’s smile after having been affected by facial trauma or other conditions such as periodontal disease.

As an oral and maxillofacial surgery expert, you will be able to offer advice and treatments that are specifically tailored to the individual needs of each patient. This means that you will be able to provide the most appropriate care for your patients, ensuring that they have the best chance of a successful outcome.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are constantly researching the latest advancements in their field. They will then be able to incorporate these findings into their own practice to provide the highest standard of care for their patients. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, where advanced infection control protocols have been used to safeguard patients and staff in hospital-based oral surgery clinics.

It’s a great career choice because you will be able to help patients of all ages. The variety of different procedures that you will be trained to do means that you’ll be able to offer the highest quality care for your patients. It is a rewarding profession that offers plenty of opportunities to be creative and develop your own skills and talents.