Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) specialize in diagnosing and treating oral, facial, and jawbone disorders. OMS work in private practices, hospitals, universities, and research institutes. OCS have excellent bedside manner and are able to connect with patients on an emotional level. An OMFS’s job is physically demanding, but there are many rewarding aspects of the job as well. With so many career paths within this field it can be difficult to know what exactly an OMS does on a day-to-day basis. In this blog post you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about what an OMS does on a daily basis.
What does an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon do?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who specialize in surgery and the diagnosis of disorders related to the jawbone, teeth, and surrounding oral tissues. These surgeons can repair diseases, extract teeth, and reconstruct facial defects. They also provide care to patients with implanted medical devices, such as dentures, implants, and bridges. OMS work in private practices, hospitals, universities, and research institutes.
The vast majority of OMS work in private practices. Some OMS work part-time in a dental setting and part-time in a surgical setting, often in a university setting. OMS who work in universities spend more time doing research and spend less time using the surgeon’s tools.
The basics: Examining patients and providing diagnoses
OMS examine patients for problems related to the jawbone, teeth, and surrounding oral tissues. They also provide diagnoses related to these disorders. OMS use diagnostic imaging tools to look inside a patient’s mouth, including x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound. It may also use endoscopy to look inside a patient’s mouth. OMS provide diagnoses at the end of the examination. OMS also provide treatment for some disorders. Treatment can range from medications to surgery. Treatments depend on the disorder and the severity of the disorder.
Procedures Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon perform
Bone grafting – Bone grafting is the process of removing bone from one area of the body and implanting it into another area of the body. OMS use bone grafting to treat certain disorders of the jawbone.
Bone removal – OMS may remove bone tissue from a patient if it is diseased or infected.
Dental implants – Dental implants are metal posts that are inserted into the jawbone. Implants are used to replace missing teeth.
Dental reconstructions – OMS may reconstruct a patient’s teeth if they have been severely damaged or if all of the teeth have been removed. Dental reconstructions are often used to treat patients with oral cancers.
Oral Surgeon Treatments
Extraction – OMS use extraction to remove severely decayed teeth or teeth that have broken or been knocked out of place.
Jaw surgery – OMS use surgery to treat certain facial deformities, infections, and tumours of the jaw.
Orthognathic surgery – OMS use orthognathic surgery to correct jaw misalignment.
Reconstruction – OMS use reconstruction to treat some facial deformities. The surgeon may use dental implants or synthetic materials to reconstruct the patient’s jaw.
Revision surgery – Revision surgery is similar to extractions or dental reconstructions, but the surgeon will usually have to remove a larger amount of jawbone.
Concluding thoughts
OMS works in private practices, hospitals, universities, and research institutes. OMS can provide surgical and non-surgical treatment for oral and jawbone disorders. An OMS’s job is physically demanding, but there are many rewarding aspects of the job as well. With so many career paths within this field, it can be difficult to know what exactly an OMS does on a day-to-day basis. In this blog post, you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about what an OMS does daily.
