Juno Beach Office:
Expert Oral Surgery for a Better Life
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized field focused on diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions affecting the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. It is a formally recognized surgical specialty worldwide and one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
Oral Surgeons: Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely trained dental specialists. After dental school, they complete a minimum four-year, hospital-based residency accredited by the American Dental Association, where they work alongside medical residents in areas such as internal medicine, general surgery, anesthesiology, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), plastic surgery, and emergency medicine.
Their training is focused almost entirely on the face, mouth, and jaws, giving them the specialized skills to diagnose and treat both functional and cosmetic conditions in this area. This advanced expertise ensures precise, safe, and effective care for a wide range of oral and facial concerns.
Conditions and Treatments
Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon combines years of advanced education and hands-on training to treat a wide variety of oral and facial conditions.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, and chin to correct skeletal and dental irregularities. This procedure can address misaligned jaws and teeth, improving chewing, speaking, and breathing. Signs that you may benefit from corrective jaw surgery include difficulty biting or chewing, excessive tooth wear, a receding chin, a protruding jaw, or sleep apnea.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop, and sometimes they emerge naturally if the jaw has enough room. More often, however, they become impacted and fail to fully emerge through the gum line.
Impacted wisdom teeth—whether partially or fully erupted—can be difficult to clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay, infections, and gum disease. In many cases, removal is necessary to prevent these complications.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends removing wisdom teeth by young adulthood to avoid future problems and ensure the best possible healing.
Cleft Palate
A cleft lip or cleft palate occurs when parts of the mouth and nasal cavity do not fully join together during fetal development, resulting in a gap in the lip or a split in the roof of the mouth.
If left untreated, a cleft palate can affect feeding, speech, and hearing. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons work closely with a team of specialists to correct these conditions through carefully planned treatments and surgeries over several years, helping children achieve improved function and appearance.
Facial Trauma
Maxillofacial injuries, or facial trauma, include any damage to the mouth, face, or jaw. One of the most serious types of facial injury is a fracture, which can affect the lower jaw, upper jaw, palate, cheekbones, eye sockets, or a combination of these bones.
These injuries can impact vision, breathing, speaking, and swallowing. For this reason, the expertise of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is essential. While treatment is available, prevention is always best. Anyone participating in sports or physical activities should use seat belts, protective mouthguards, and appropriate masks or helmets to reduce the risk of injury.
Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear, where the skull meets the lower jaw. This joint allows your jaw to move for speaking, chewing, and other daily functions. Symptoms such as jaw pain, earaches, headaches, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or clicking and grating sounds may indicate Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
Treatment for TMD can range from conservative dental or medical care to more advanced surgical procedures. If non-surgical options are not effective or if there is significant joint damage, surgery may be necessary. Surgical options can include minimally invasive arthroscopy or direct repair of the joint and surrounding tissues to restore proper function.
Oral cancer
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend performing a monthly oral cancer self-exam. If you notice any unusual signs—such as red or white patches, a lump, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, or difficulty chewing or swallowing—contact an oral and maxillofacial surgeon promptly. The surgeon may remove a small tissue sample for a biopsy to determine the cause and provide an accurate diagnosis.
Implants
Dental implants are durable, long-term replacements for missing teeth, surgically placed into the jawbone by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Made of titanium, they naturally fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable, secure foundation that won’t slip or decay. This fusion also helps prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw strong and healthy.
Outpatient Anesthesia
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to provide safe and effective outpatient anesthesia, including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. During their surgical residency, they complete a rotation in medical anesthesiology, gaining expertise in evaluating patients for anesthesia, administering it safely, and monitoring patients afterward to ensure a comfortable and secure recovery.