ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY-

An introduction

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is that branch and specialty of dentistry which is concerned with and includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of disorders, diseases, injuries and defects, involving the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions and related structures.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a regional specialist surgeon treating the entire cranio-maxillofacial complex: anatomical area of the mouth, jaws, face, skull as well as associated structures.

Maxillofacial surgeons are usually initially qualified in dentistry and have undergone further surgical training. Oral & maxillofacial surgery is universally recognized as a one of the nine specialties of dentistry. However in the UK and many other countries OMFS is a medical specialty requiring both medical and dental degrees, culminating in the FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons). Oral surgery as a specialty is defined in Europe as a dental specialty. It requires 3 years of further university training after a formal qualification in dentistry. The Directive 2001/19/EC also distinguishes Oral Surgery from other evidence of formal qualifications in specialized Medicine, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, which requires both medical and dental training in the European Union.

Regardless, all oral & maxillofacial surgeons must obtain a degree in dentistry (BDS, B Dent, DDS, or DMD or equivalent) before being allowed to begin residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Diagnosis, treatment planning and comprehensive management of the pathologies and deformities in the oro-facial region. Acquire adequate knowledge of anomalies, lesions and diseases affecting oro-facial region and the importance of etiology and pathogenesis of oral disease. To master the skills of major and minor surgeries.

Head and neck oncology microvascular reconstruction Cosmetic facial surgery

Craniofacial surgery/Pediatric Maxillofacial surgery/Cleft Surgery Cranio-maxillofacial trauma

Head and neck reconstruction (plastic surgery of the head and neck region)

Maxillofacial regeneration(reformation of the facial region by advanced stem cell technique)

Treatments that may be performed on the craniomaxillofacial complex:(mouth, jaws, neck, face, skull) include: Dentoalveolar surgery (surgery to remove impacted teeth, difficult tooth extractions, extractions on medically compromised patients, bone grafting or pre-prosthetic surgery to provide better anatomy for the placement of implants, dentures, or other dental prostheses)

Diagnosis and treatment of benign pathology (cysts, tumors etc.) Diagnosis and treatment (ablative and reconstructive surgery, microsurgery) of malignant pathology (oral & head and neck cancer).

Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous malignancy (skin cancer), lip reconstruction Diagnosis and treatment of congenital craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate and cranial vault malformations such as craniosynostosis, (craniofacial surgery) Diagnosis and treatment of chronic facial pain disorders Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders Diagnosis and treatment of dysgnathia (incorrect bite), and orthognathic (literally "straight bite") reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, maxillomandibular advancement, surgical correction of facial asymmetry. Diagnosis and treatment of soft and hard tissue trauma of the oral and maxillofacial region (jaw fractures, cheek bone fractures, nasal fractures, LeFort fracture, skull fractures and eye socket fractures).

Splint and surgical treatment of sleep apnea, maxillomandibular advancement, genioplasty (in conjunction with sleep labs or physicians) Surgery to insert osseointegrated (bone fused) dental implants and Maxillofacial implants for attaching craniofacial prostheses and bone anchored hearing aids. Cosmetic surgery limited to the head and neck: (rhytidectomy/facelift, browlift, blepharoplasty/Asian blepharoplasty, otoplasty, rhinoplasty, septoplasty, cheek augmentation, chin augmentation, genioplasty, oculoplastics, neck liposuction, lip enhancement, injectable cosmetic treatments, botox, chemical peel etc.)

Early History of Dentistry:

Begins from 500 BC to 300 BC according to The American Dental Association's history of dentistry. During this time, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about various dental topics including treating decayed teeth, gum disease, extracting teeth and the use of wire to support loose teeth and fractured jaws. In 1210, A Guild of Barbers was created in France. These barbers split into two groups; surgeons for more complex operations, and surgeons who carried out simpler procedures. In 1575 Ambrose Pare (the Father of Surgery) published Complete Works. This book contains information on tooth extraction, treatments of tooth decay and jaw fractures. In 1728, the oral surgeon Pierre Fauchard wrote a treatise called "The Surgeon Dentist." His book included basic anatomy of the mouth, as well as surgery techniques

The history of oral and maxillofacial surgery originates with the Civil War. During this time revolutionary advancements were made in the treatment of facial fractures for the Union and Confederacy. In the early 20th century, oral and maxillofacial surgeons were pioneering cleft palate and other facial reconstructive surgery. Their innovations continued through the 1920s, when they pioneered many of the procedures that serve as the foundation for cosmetic surgery today. As the 20th century progressed, OMSs developed many current trauma techniques through their experiences with the dire injuries of soldiers in World War II, Korea, Viet Nam and the Gulf War. Early on a Society was established to create structure, guidance and recognition for the oral surgery specialty. In the 1920s the Society of Exodontists was established. In 1944, the Society changed its name to the American Society of Oral Surgeons, and in 1979 it became the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation website 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 847-233-4304 or 866-278-9221 Fax: 847-678-6254 2. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Website American Dental Association Timeline 3. "Baylor College of Dentistry: OMS Residency Admission Requirements" Archived from the original on May 8, 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2009. 4. Lengel B, Testelin S, Cremades S, Devauchelle B (September 2007). "Facing up is an act of dignity: lessons in elegance addressed to the polemicists of the first human face transplant". Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 120 (3): 803 6. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000271097.22789.79. PMID 17700135. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 5. "My face transplant saved me . BBC News. 17 October 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2010.