Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Singapore

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS)?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) is a specialised branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving the head, face, jaw, and neck. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly-trained dental specialists. Beyond the standard dental education, they undergo an additional three years of postgraduate program in OMS and hands-on surgical training to acquire the necessary skills for surgical interventions in this complex anatomical region. To be officially recognised as a specialist in oral maxillofacial surgery, the dentist must obtain accreditation from the Ministry of Health in Singapore.  

OMS services

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the head, face, jaws, and neck. 

Their scope of practice encompasses both medical and dental aspects, and they are skilled in performing various surgical procedures. Here are some of the key responsibilities and procedures that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons may be involved in: 

1. Tooth extractions:

   • Oral and maxillofacial surgeons commonly perform extractions of teeth, including impacted wisdom teeth or teeth that are damaged or diseased.

2. Dental implants:

   • If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants may be recommended to replace the missing teeth. OMS specialists are trained to place dental implants to support dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures.

3. Orthognathic surgery:

   • This involves the surgical correction of jaw abnormalities to improve bite and facial aesthetics. It may be necessary for conditions such as malocclusion or jaw disproportion.

   • Correction of malocclusion: If you have a misaligned jaw causing issues with your bite, speech, or appearance, orthognathic surgery may be recommended.

   • Jaw disproportion: Surgical correction of jaw disproportion, such as an underbite or overbite, may be necessary to improve function and aesthetics.

4. Maxillofacial trauma:

   • OMS specialists often treat facial injuries resulting from accidents, falls, or sports-related incidents. This can include fractures of the jaw, facial bones, and soft tissues.

5. Reconstructive surgery:

   • OMS specialists may perform reconstructive procedures to repair defects or injuries, such as cleft lip and palate repair or reconstruction after the removal of tumors.

6. Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders:

   • If you have chronic jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or other TMJ-related issues, OMS specialists can diagnose and manage them.

7. Oral pathology:

   • OMS specialists are trained to identify and manage oral and facial diseases, including oral cancers. They may perform biopsies and other diagnostic procedures if there are abnormalities in the oral tissues, such as suspicious lesions or tumors.

8. Facial cosmetic surgery:

   • Some Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons offer cosmetic procedures to enhance facial aesthetics, such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, or facial implant surgery.

9. Treatment of oral infections:

   • OMS specialists may treat infections of the oral and maxillofacial region, including abscesses and other inflammatory conditions.

10. Pre-prosthetic surgery:

    • Before the placement of dental prosthetics like dentures, oral surgeons may perform procedures to prepare the oral tissues for optimal prosthetic fit and function.

11. Sleep apnea surgery:

    • In some cases, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons may be involved in surgical interventions for sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

These responsibilities highlight the diverse and comprehensive nature of OMS. OMS specialists often work closely with other healthcare professionals, including dentists, orthodontists, physicians, and other surgeons, to provide integrated and multidisciplinary care for their patients.