Maxillofacial surgery is a special type of dentistry. It involves operations to correct diseases, injuries and defects of your face, jaw or mouth. Maxillofacial surgeons are advanced specialists who diagnose and treat problems with:

• Bones and tissues of your jaw and lower face (maxillofacial area)
• Roof of your mouth (palate)
• Teeth

What’s the difference between oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery?

Maxillofacial surgeons are oral surgeons are the same thing. Training involves oral and maxillofacial surgery but some surgeons limit their practice to oral surgery and office-based procedures while others prefer more hospital-based procedures.

Implantology

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small threaded posts that replace missing teeth roots. Most dental implants are titanium, but some are ceramic. Both of these materials are safe and biocompatible (friendly to the tissues inside of your mouth).

How do dental implants work?

A surgeon places a dental implant into your jaw during an oral surgery procedure. Once the implant heals, your dentist can place a crown on top. Depending on your oral health goals, your dentist can restore your implants with crowns, bridges or dentures.

People who have one or more missing teeth can benefit from dental implants. You might need a dental implant if you have tooth loss due to:

• Cavities (tooth decay)
• Tooth root fracture
• Bruxism (clenching or grinding your teeth)
• Gum disease
• Facial injury
• Congenitally missing teeth (you were born without certain teeth)