An OMS doctor is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, focusing on the functional and aesthetic aspects of the face, mouth, and jaws. This specialty sits uniquely at the intersection of medicine and dentistry, requiring knowledge of both fields. OMS doctors are the surgical experts of the oral and craniofacial region, treating conditions that range from routine dental surgery to complex facial reconstruction. They diagnose and surgically manage injuries, defects, and diseases affecting the hard and soft tissues of the head and neck.
Specialized Training and Qualifications
The path to becoming an OMS doctor begins with the completion of a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Following dental school, candidates must complete an intensive hospital-based surgical residency program, which lasts a minimum of four years. This residency is conducted alongside medical residents and includes rotations in general surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine, providing a broad medical foundation for complex surgical care.
Specialized training involves comprehensive education in anesthesia administration, including general anesthesia, deep sedation, and airway management. This ensures the OMS is skilled in safely managing patient comfort and physiological status during surgical procedures in both hospital and outpatient settings.
Many programs offer a six-year track where the resident also earns a medical degree (MD) in addition to their dental degree. The dual-degree pathway provides the advanced medical knowledge required for performing intricate procedures in the hospital setting, such as major facial trauma repair and head and neck cancer surgery. The final step is achieving Board Certification through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). This certification signifies that the surgeon has met the highest standards of knowledge and proficiency in the specialty.
The Comprehensive Scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The practice of an OMS doctor is diverse, encompassing surgical procedures for the entire craniofacial area.
Dentoalveolar Surgery
A common area of practice is dentoalveolar surgery, which involves complex tooth extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth. OMS doctors also perform pre-prosthetic surgery, modifying the jawbone and soft tissues to prepare the mouth for dentures or other dental prostheses.
Implantology and Bone Grafting
A major focus is advanced implantology and bone grafting, where the surgeon plans and places dental implants to replace missing teeth. Because successful implant placement often requires a solid foundation of bone, OMS doctors perform reconstructive procedures such as sinus lifts and ridge augmentation to restore deteriorated jawbone structure.
Facial Trauma and Pathology
OMS doctors are frequently on call at hospitals to treat facial trauma, repairing fractures of the jawbone, cheekbones, eye sockets, and nasal bones. They ensure the intricate alignment of the facial bones and dental occlusion is restored following severe injury. Their practice extends into pathology, where they diagnose and surgically remove cysts, tumors, and other lesions of the oral cavity and jaw.
Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)
The specialty also covers corrective jaw surgery, which repositions the upper and lower jaws to correct functional issues like severe malocclusion or skeletal deformities. These procedures improve a patient’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe, and often positively impact facial aesthetics. The scope of practice includes the surgical management of conditions like cleft lip and palate and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How OMS Doctors Differ from Other Specialists
The distinction between an OMS doctor and a general dentist lies primarily in the scope of surgical practice and training. While a general dentist handles routine dental care and simple extractions, an OMS is the dental profession’s surgical specialist. They are equipped to manage complex, invasive procedures that require hospital privileges and deep sedation or general anesthesia, allowing them to manage medically complex patients and severe surgical conditions.
OMS vs. Periodontists
Periodontists are dental specialists focused on the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. While both may place dental implants, the OMS doctor’s training includes a broader range of trauma, pathology, and reconstructive surgery of the entire facial skeleton. The OMS training in facial trauma and general surgery rotations extends their expertise beyond the immediate dental structures.
OMS vs. Plastic Surgeons
The OMS doctor’s expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of the oral cavity and the underlying bony structure of the face. While plastic surgeons have a comprehensive focus on soft tissue aesthetics across the entire body, the OMS specializes specifically in the hard and soft tissues of the craniofacial region. Their combined dental and surgical background provides a unique perspective on restoring both function and appearance to the face and jaws.