Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery New City, NY

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the realm of dentistry that involves any surgical treatment in the mouth and surrounding tissues, including the jaw joints and jawbone structures. Oral maxillofacial surgery ranges from simple tooth extractions to extremely complex surgical reconstruction of the face. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a specialist who has received additional years of training and education after dental school. Many oral maxillofacial surgery residencies include a few years of medical school, and these doctors have dual degrees: both a DDS and an MD.

Many board-certified oral surgeons have hospital privileges and treat patients there under general anesthesia. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons care for patients who experience facial trauma and injuries to the face and jaws in emergency settings. The practice of oral maxillofacial surgery is not simply a branch of dentistry; it is a branch of medicine, as well.

Why Choose Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialists

When you visit our New City practice, you can expect the highest level of professionalism and compassion. Our board-certified oral surgeons bring extensive experience and are committed to providing the full scope of maxillofacial surgery procedures. We understand that surgical procedures can cause concerns, and our team works to create a calm and pleasant environment throughout your visit.

What is the Difference between Periodontics and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery?

There is actually a lot of overlap between periodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery. A periodontist performs multiple surgical procedures, including gum grafting, crown lengthening, and periodontal surgery. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon in New City, NY, performs complex wisdom tooth removal, oral pathology, and surgery involving facial trauma and fractures. The overlap includes such procedures as using moderate sedation, tooth extractions, jaw bone grafting, and dental implants. Both of these specialists are highly qualified in all of these surgical procedures with extensive experience.

While a periodontist oversees and treats all of your periodontal and implant conditions, an oral maxillofacial surgery specialist performs only the surgical aspect. While an oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs surgeries in every area of the mouth, including the jaw joints, a periodontist only performs surgeries related to the gums, jawbone, and dental implants.

What Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?

The scope of oral maxillofacial surgery covers the full range of surgical procedures, which we will evaluate on an individual basis. In general, we explain what are the most common maxillofacial surgery procedures and the most distinguishing skills of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Extractions of Every Kind Including Wisdom Teeth

Simple tooth extractions are those in a relatively normal position in the mouth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also extract teeth in very difficult positions. This includes situations like wisdom tooth removal when teeth are embedded in the jawbone or extra (supernumerary) teeth in a child’s jaw. Many patients have been referred to us specifically to have their wisdom teeth pulled by our experienced surgeons. An oral maxillofacial surgery specialist often removes all of the teeth in a mouth as preparation for dentures or implants.

Biopsies

Growths inside the mouth are relatively common, and the majority of them are not cancerous. Biopsies serve two purposes: to determine what tissue is causing the overgrowth, and to remove it. There are many different types of growths in the gums and jawbone that can occur in both children and adults. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons work with pathologists to get specific diagnoses on oral growths and advise on the best treatment approach by using biopsies.

Oral Cancer

If a biopsy, however, does confirm a cancerous growth, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the first contact in oral cancer treatment. Treatment typically involves working with both an oral maxillofacial surgery specialist and an oncologist for the best survival rate. The surgeon will remove any cancerous areas and coordinate necessary chemotherapy and radiation with an oncologist, utilizing their hospital privileges when needed.

IV Sedation to Support Patient Comfort

Many patients choose to be sedated for their dental surgeries, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons have the training and certifications to sedate patients in-office. IV sedation allows the surgeon to keep you perfectly comfortable throughout the procedure and minimize anxiety. This is commonly used for wisdom tooth removal and dental implant placements. While the scope of oral maxillofacial surgery is not limited to sedation procedures, our surgeons are experts in providing this option for anxious or fearful patients. Other specialists, like periodontists and endodontists, can also provide this option.

Management of Complicated Medical Problems

The additional medical training of board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons makes them the right professionals to handle patients with a complicated medical history. Patients who take multiple prescription medications to treat multiple medical conditions have a higher risk of post-operative complications and failures of surgeries. The conditions themselves or the drugs used to treat them can affect and impair the body’s ability to heal, so surgeries are more stressful on the body. Closely monitoring that healing process and intervening when a complication arises is within an oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s expertise and full scope of practice.

Treatment of Atypical Infections

Most dental infections are very straightforward. They result from cavities or gum disease, and traditional treatments work to stop the infection. In rare cases, an infection does not respond to traditional therapies and requires more intensive investigation and treatment. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s advanced medical education prepared them to evaluate and treat atypical infections in the past and present.

Treatment of TMJ Disorder

The TMJ (jaw joint) is the most complex joint in the human body. It’s a ball-and-socket joint in which the “ball” comes out of the “socket” during normal function. TMJ disorders are extremely common, and different philosophies abound in the correct method of treatment. Seeing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for treatment of TMJ disorder does not commit you to jaw surgery. In fact, most surgeons work to manage TMJ problems non-surgically for as long as possible and see surgery as a last resort, demonstrating their professional approach and kindness toward patient care.

Jaw Repositioning and Complex Maxillofacial Surgery Procedures

Some people experience growth deficiencies in the upper and lower jawbone structures. This can lead to jaws that are mismatched to each other, asymmetrical, or too small for the individual’s face. While this is a cosmetic issue, it’s also a very serious functional problem. People with incorrectly sized or shaped jaws are not able to chew or speak correctly for their entire lives. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs a type of surgery, classified as orthognathic, to move and reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. The surgeon places them into the proper position for both appearance and function. These complete maxillofacial surgery procedures are truly life-changing!

Facial Trauma and Emergency Oral Surgery

Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons have extensive experience treating facial trauma cases, including fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries resulting from accidents. With hospital privileges, our surgeons can provide immediate support for emergency cases, working to restore both function and aesthetics following traumatic injuries. We advise prompt evaluation following any facial trauma to minimize long-term complications.

Comprehensive Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Services

Our practice offers the full range of oral maxillofacial surgery services, from routine wisdom teeth pulled procedures to complex reconstructive surgeries. We take time to evaluate each patient’s unique needs and determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Whether you’ve been referred by your dentist or are seeking a second opinion, we’re committed to providing exceptional care.

Schedule Your Consultation

Don’t let dental concerns go untreated. Our team is ready to support you through every step of your treatment journey. Schedule your consultation today to visit our state-of-the-art facility and expect the highest standard of care.

X-Ray Technology and Advanced Diagnostics

Our practice utilizes advanced X-rays and imaging technology to provide complete diagnostic evaluations. These tools allow our surgeons to evaluate complex cases thoroughly and plan procedures with precision.

Oral Surgeons You Can Rely On in New City, NY

It’s vital to get treatment right away if your dentist finds signs of any issues requiring the skills of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Rockland Dental Specialists offers expert state-of-the-art dental care in the New City, NY area. Board-certified endodontists Dr. Lisa Nava Cohen & Dr. Rachel Snyder, and board-certified periodontist and implantologist Dr. Shalom Mintz are here to bring you the dental care you need with their more than two decades of combined experience. They are passionate about helping patients resolve their gum disease and maintain their overall oral health. Contact us today at 845-259-2500 to speak with one of our team members about the endodontic services we offer, or book an appointment online here.