Oral and maxillofacial surgery ("OMFS") is dentistry that goes far beyond cleanings and cavities, and is defined by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as:
...the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic [sic] aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and neck.
Practitioners of OMFS are generally thought only to deal with the extraction of wisdom teeth, but this specialty is about much more than impaction. Surgeons care for accident victims, perform reconstructive and dental implant surgery, treat jaw tumors and cysts, and have advanced training in pain control and anesthesia.
It is one of the most highly competitive specializations in dentistry—most schools only accept two or three candidates for residency per year, and look for NDBE part I and II scores above the 90th percentile. Programs for OMFS range from four to six years (the six-year programs grant an MD). Students can pursue further specialization with another one or two years of training for fellowships ranging from treatment of cleft palates and head and neck cancer surgery to cosmetic surgeries like facelifts and nose jobs.
To learn more about oral and maxillofacial surgery, check out predentist.com or the American Dental Association website.
