Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists who treat conditions, defects, injuries, and esthetic aspects of the head, face and neck including the mouth, teeth, and jaws. Their training consists of a four-year graduate degree in dentistry and the completion of either a four-year hospital surgical residency or a six-year training in surgical residency and medicine leading to an M.D. Degree and a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons care for children and adult patients who experience such conditions as head and neck cancer, tumors and cysts of the jaws, cleft and craniofacial deformities, obstructive sleep apnea, misaligned jaws, accident victims suffering facial injuries, facial pain and temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, reconstructive and dental implant surgery, functional and esthetic conditions of the maxillofacial areas, and dental extractions including wisdom teeth and preparation for dentures.
The University of Michigan Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practices the full scope of the specialty. It maintain clinics at the University of Michigan Medical Center and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. It's mission is to provide excellent patient care, contribute to basic and clinical research, and train the future academic leaders of the oral and maxillofacial surgery profession.
The patients we treat typically arrive to us by referral from other dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and physicians. However, we also treat patients in the emergency department who have sustained injuries to the mouth, face, head and neck, or those who are looking for a second opinion. Residents are closely involved in patient management, under the direct supervision and guidance of the faculty. This relationship allows for resident education while maintaining the high standard of patient care. With specialized knowledge in pain control and advanced training in anesthesia, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is able to provide quality care with maximum patient comfort and safety in the office setting.