Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists with advanced training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of various head and neck conditions and injuries. After four years of dental school, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon completes four to six years of additional formal training in treating the craniomaxillofacial complex. This specialty is one of 9 dental specialties recognized internationally and by the American Dental Association (ADA).
An Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon can diagnose and treat a wide variety conditions. The following are just some of the many conditions, treatments and procedures oral and maxillofacial surgeon deal with on a daily basis:
The teeth are held firmly in place by strong roots that extend into the jawbone. Molars and premolars tend to have several roots, whereas the front incisors only have a single root. The end or tip of each root is termed the apex.
Learn moreBone grafting is often closely associated with dental restorations such as bridge work and dental implants. In the majority of cases, the success of a restoration procedure can hinge on the height, depth, and width of the jawbone at the implant site.
Learn moreCleft lip and cleft palate are two common but markedly different birth defects that affect about one in every 700 newborns. These developmental deformities occur in the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy; cleft lip in week seven, and cleft palate in week nine.
Learn moreOrthognathic surgery refers to the surgical correction needed to fix substantial abnormalities of the maxilla (upper jaw), the mandible (lower jaw), or both.
Learn moreOral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialist trained to manage and treat facial trauma. There are an infinite number of ways in which the face can be damaged and thus need some type of reconstruction.
Learn moreHumans have two upper (maxillary) canines and two lower (mandibular) canines. Canine teeth are sometimes referred to as cuspids, fangs, or "eye teeth" because of their direct positioning beneath the eyes.
Learn moreAn oral exam is routinely performed by the dentist during the course of an initial comprehensive exam and regular check-ups.
Learn morePlatelet Rich Plasma or PRP is a by-product of blood that is exceptionally rich in platelets. PRP has long been used in hospitals to accelerate the body's own healing process.
Learn moreA significant number of Canadians do not visit the dentist for regular checkups because they are too fearful or suffer from dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry offers an excellent way to provide a safe, anxiety-free.
Learn moreSleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. The term sleep apnea is derived from the Greek etymology meaning "without breath".
Learn moreTemporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ) is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people. TMJ is characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth.
Learn moreYour third molars, which you likely know as your wisdom teeth, are usually the final teeth in your mouth to erupt. These four teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom, appear at the back of your mouth near the entrance to your throat.
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Whether your dentist refers you to our Waterloo dental office, you have pain or symptoms causing you concern, or you simply have questions you would like answered, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We are here to answer your questions and provide the treatment you deserve!
Oral and maxillofacial surgery covers surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. This includes simple procedures done in the dental office like routine extractions, more complex surgeries like wisdom tooth removal or dental implant placement, and major reconstructive procedures done in hospital settings like jaw fracture repair or corrective jaw surgery. The field bridges dentistry and surgery, requiring both clinical dental knowledge and surgical training.
Many oral surgery procedures are done as outpatient visits at our office. The visit involves local anaesthetic (and sedation if needed), the procedure itself, and a recovery plan tailored to what was done. Most patients drive home the same day unless deeper sedation was used, in which case a ride is arranged. Larger procedures (jaw surgery, complex reconstruction) are done in hospital settings with overnight stays and longer recovery plans.
Every procedure starts with a thorough consultation. Your dentist or surgeon reviews your medical history, conducts a clinical exam, takes appropriate imaging (often a panoramic x-ray, sometimes a cone-beam CT), and discusses what is being recommended and why. You see what the procedure involves, what alternatives exist, what recovery looks like, and what the cost will be before scheduling anything. Questions are welcomed at every step.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery handles a wide range of procedures and conditions. The most common include:
Many of these procedures are scheduled as planned care; others (trauma, severe infections) are urgent. We coordinate with emergency departments and other specialists as needed for cases that require multidisciplinary care.
Recovery varies enormously with the procedure. A simple extraction may need only one or two days of soft foods and gentle home care. A wisdom tooth extraction usually involves three to five days of soft diet, swelling, and reduced activity. A jaw surgery involves weeks of soft-food restrictions, gradual return to activities, and follow-up over months. Your specific recovery plan is built around what was done and given in writing before you leave.
Common aftercare themes for most procedures: avoid spitting forcefully, drinking through a straw, or smoking for the first few days to a week, all of which can disrupt clot formation and slow healing; soft diet for the first few days; cold compresses for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling; sleep with the head slightly elevated; gentle home care with prescribed antimicrobial rinses; no strenuous exercise for the timeframe your surgeon specifies. Pain is managed with prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
Follow-up visits are scheduled at appropriate intervals to monitor healing. Sutures (if used) are removed at one to two weeks for most procedures. Larger procedures involve longer follow-up — months for jaw surgery, and ongoing periodically for major reconstructive cases. We are available between visits for any questions or concerns; the office number reaches us directly during business hours, and there is an after-hours protocol for true urgencies.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery cost varies widely with the procedure. A routine extraction costs less than wisdom tooth removal; major reconstructive procedures done in hospital settings have a different cost structure entirely (often largely covered by provincial health insurance). Trillium follows the current Ontario Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide for oral surgery, and we provide a written estimate at the planning visit.
Most private dental insurance plans cover oral surgery under their surgical services category, often at 70 to 80 percent. CDCP includes oral surgery within its annual benefits framework. Major reconstructive surgeries done in hospital settings (jaw fracture repair, corrective jaw surgery when medically necessary) are typically covered by OHIP rather than dental insurance. We submit pre-determinations and coordinate billing across all relevant payers.
Most oral surgery is done under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area but does not affect consciousness. Sedation options (oral, IV) are available for patients who prefer to be more relaxed. General anaesthesia is used for major procedures and is performed in a hospital setting with an anaesthesiologist. The level of anaesthesia is matched to the procedure and your preferences.
Recovery time depends on what was done. Simple extractions: one to two days. Wisdom teeth: three to five days. Dental implants: a few days for initial healing, several months for full integration before crowns. Jaw surgery: several weeks to months. Your specific timeline is discussed at the consultation.
When performed by trained professionals with appropriate monitoring, yes. We assess your medical history at consultation to determine which level of sedation is appropriate. Vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure, and emergency equipment is on hand.
Yes, in most cases. Routine and moderately complex wisdom tooth extractions are done in our office under local anaesthetic, often with sedation. Very complex cases or cases needing general anaesthesia may be referred to a hospital-based oral surgeon, with us coordinating the referral and follow-up.
Contact our office for the after-hours protocol or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for serious injuries (heavy bleeding, severe facial trauma, severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing). For non-urgent issues that can wait, we will see you the next business day.
Coverage varies by procedure and plan. Most surgical procedures are covered to some extent by private dental insurance and CDCP. Major reconstructive surgery in a hospital setting is usually covered by OHIP. We submit pre-determinations and run through your specific coverage before any procedure is scheduled.