If your dentist or orthodontist has referred you to an oral surgeon, you may be wondering exactly who this specialist is and what sets them apart. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are the experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery, treating a wide range of conditions that affect both your appearance and your overall oral health. You may also hear them called oral surgeons, facial surgeons, or oral and facial surgeons, but the training behind the title is the same: years of surgical education beyond dental school. At Rockwall Oral Surgery, Dr. Kevin Pollock, a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Nathan Dombrowski bring this advanced expertise to patients throughout Rockwall and the surrounding communities. Here are four key things to know about what an OMS is and why their training matters for your care.
Advanced Training and Credentials
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete extensive surgical training that goes well beyond that of a general dentist. Approximately 9,000 OMSs in the United States are members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), and 75% of those members are board-certified. About 27% of AAOMS members have also earned a medical degree in addition to their dental degree, and some complete 1- to 2-year fellowships for advanced training or hold graduate degrees. Dr. Pollock is a fellow of the AAOMS and a member of the North Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, reflecting a commitment to the highest professional standards. When you choose a teeth surgeon with these credentials, you are choosing a specialist trained specifically for complex surgery of the face, mouth and jaw.
A Wide Range of Face, Mouth and Jaw Procedures
OMSs treat health issues across the entire facial region, not just the teeth. Common procedures include tooth extractions, third molar (wisdom tooth) management and surgery, dental implant surgery, corrective jaw surgery and treatment of facial injuries and trauma. Oral surgeons also provide treatment of TMJ disease and facial pain, surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea, cleft lip and palate surgery, facial cosmetic surgery and treatment of oral, head and neck cancer. This broad scope means patients can rely on one trusted specialist for many of the procedures that protect long-term oral health and quality of life.
Expertise in Anesthesia and Sedation
One of the most important distinctions of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is extensive training in anesthesia administration. OMSs are trained to provide local anesthesia, all forms of sedation and general anesthesia in a safe and cost-effective manner right in the office setting. This allows patients to undergo procedures like wisdom tooth removal or implant placement comfortably, without the added cost and complexity of a hospital visit. Dr. Pollock is also a Diplomate of the American Dental Society for Anesthesiology, and Rockwall Oral Surgery offers multiple sedation options along with non-opioid pain management through EXPAREL® to help patients recover comfortably.
An Essential Link in Your Care Team
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons serve as an important link in the referral network for dentists and physicians. They work closely with orthodontists, general dentists, restorative dentists and physicians to coordinate treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs. For example, an orthodontist may refer a patient for expose and bond of an impacted tooth, or a general dentist may refer a patient for implant placement before restoring the tooth with a crown. At Rockwall Oral Surgery, local dentists trust our team to care for their patients whenever surgical needs arise, ensuring seamless communication from referral to recovery.
Understanding what an oral and maxillofacial surgeon does can make a referral feel far less intimidating and help you feel confident in your treatment. For 24 years, Rockwall Oral Surgery has provided Texas dental patients with exceptional oral and maxillofacial care in an office designed specifically for oral surgery, supported by technology like 3D cone beam imaging and digital X-rays. Whether you need wisdom teeth removed, dental implants, corrective jaw surgery or care for a facial injury, our team is here to guide you before, during and after your procedure.