Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists trained to recognize and treat a wide array of
diseases, injuries, and defects in the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region,
including teeth and the head, neck, face, and jaws. They are also trained to administer
anesthesia and care in an office setting. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are oral surgeons, but
their additional training allows them to address more complex dental and medical issues. After
acquiring a dental degree, an oral and maxillofacial trainee must complete resident surgical
training for four to six years, with an optional medical degree. Many pursue fellowships in
specific areas, such as craniofacial trauma or cosmetic facial surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery refers to surgery in the mouth or on the face, head, neck, or jaw.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeries relieve pain and discomfort, prevent disease, or treat an injury
or defect on the face. There are various oral and maxillofacial surgeries; some are extremely
common and simple, while others may be rare. Learn from the below examples of oral and
maxillofacial surgery and when to contact your oral surgeon.

When You May Need Oral Surgery

There are many times when patients may require oral surgery. Oral surgeons treat conditions
that are confined within the mouth, such as:
● Impacted teeth removal
● Wisdom teeth removal
● Improve fit of dentures
● Dental implants and bone grafting
● Gum graft

Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

It’s normal for patients to need their wisdom teeth removed, and doing so sooner rather than
later will benefit your healing process and keep your teeth straight and beautiful. If you are
wondering whether you need your wisdom teeth removed, there are many common signs to
look out for. If you are experiencing any of these common signs, schedule a consultation and
exam with your dentist or oral surgeon so they can better determine what the right steps are for
you. Below are the common signs that you may need your wisdom teeth removed:
● Tooth pain
● Headaches or earaches that reoccur
● Persistent jaw pain
● Damage to teeth nearby
● Infection in your mouth

When You May Need Maxillofacial Surgery

Maxillofacial surgery may be necessary if a patient requires advanced treatment beyond the
mouth, such as:

● Oral Cancer
● Reconstructive Jaw Surgery
● Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
● Cleft Lip and Palate
● Orthognathic Surgery
● Sleep Apnea Surgery

What is the Difference Between a Dentist & An Oral

and Maxillofacial Surgeon

While some dentists may perform basic surgeries, including simple tooth extractions, they
cannot perform the other surgeries that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can. Oral and
maxillofacial surgeons are trained and experienced in more complex cases, including mouth,
jaw, and face surgeries. Dentists are familiar with basic techniques of tooth extractions but
cannot remove certain wisdom teeth, extract impacted canines, or handle other cases that
surgeons can. These oral surgeons receive specific, highly advanced training that gives them
an advantage in performing these procedures. They can perform both simple and more complex
surgical procedures, which include reconstructive dental surgery, tumor removals, jaw
realignment, dental implants, and more. Oral surgeons also have the training and ability to
provide different types of anesthesia options ranging from IV sedation to general anesthesia.

For the Best Oral Surgery in Bedford, NH Contact

Lindner Dental Associates

Contact Lindner Dental today to book an appointment and have your situation accessed by our
team of experts. Whether you know what is going on in your mouth or want an expert’s opinion,
our oral surgeon is here to help. We know you may be nervous about your surgery, but we will
do whatever we can to keep you happy and comfortable in our chairs throughout the treatment.
Learn more about the various oral and maxillofacial surgeries we perform and see how we can
help you. For more information, call us at 603-624-3900 or fill out a contact form.