What Does an Oral Surgeon Do?

An oral surgeon, also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a specialist who treats dental problems and other health issues that affect the mouth and the maxillofacial area, including the bones of the jaw, the face, the cheeks, even the forehead as well as the soft tissue in the mentioned areas. The procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons often involve surgical interventions to remove growths and teeth or to treat various types of injuries to improve function and appearance.

The Education of Oral Surgeons

Oral surgeons study a lot. After high school, they undergo 2-4 years of undergraduate training, then 4 years of dental study, followed by 4-6 years of residency, during which they obtain a medical degree and they specialize in one or multiple fields of oral surgery, such as cosmetic facial surgery, craniofacial surgery or pediatric maxillofacial surgery.

The Work of Oral Surgeons

Oral surgeons most often treat patients who have been referred to them by general dentists or primary care doctors who make the initial diagnosis and consider the patient’s problem to require more specialized treatment. The conditions that are often treated by oral surgeons include the removal of severely damaged or unrestorable teeth, the treatment of affections of the oral cavity, such as obstructed salivary glands that need removal, ulcers and wounds in the mouth, jaw surgery for the realignment of the teeth, the restoration of the face after facial injuries, biopsies for diagnosing tumors as well as cosmetic dental procedures. One of the most common and most frequent interventions and treatment that oral surgeons perform is dental extractions and the implementation of dental implants.

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Oral surgeons have various workplaces to choose from – they can work in hospitals, medical centers or they can have their own individual practices. The office of an oral surgeon is very similar to the office of a general dentist, but it is equipped with more specialized tools for cutting and removing teeth. Very complicated surgical interventions are performed in general anesthesia, so the offices of oral surgeons are fitted with equipment and tools for performing the anesthesia and for monitor the patient’s condition during and immediately after the surgery.

The Skills Required of a Great Oral Surgeon

Beside extensive professional knowledge, oral surgeons are required to possess a wide set of other skills and abilities as well. A good oral surgeon – always search for the best oral surgeon Castle Rock has to offer – is a personable and compassionate person who can understand the worries and the concerns of the patient and is willing to explain why the procedure is necessary and how it will be performed. Oral surgeons also need outstanding dexterity as well as physical strength, especially in the arms and the hands – dental extractions often require considerable strength and the mouth has lots of difficult to reach areas that require the doctor to take up awkward positions. Complicated oral surgery can also take long to perform, so a good oral surgeon needs to be in excellent overall physical condition and to be able to concentrate for prolonged times.