What Exactly Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Specialist (OMS) Do?
Discover the advanced surgical care OMS specialists provide for your teeth, jaws, face, and overall oral health
You visit your family dentist twice a year for routine check-ups, scaling, and the occasional filling. It is a familiar routine that keeps your teeth healthy. But sometimes a specific problem arises—perhaps a deeply impacted wisdom tooth or the need for a dental implant—and instead of treating it in their clinic, your dentist refers you to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS).
You might wonder: what exactly is an OMS, and why do I need to see a surgical specialist for this procedure?
Think of your general dentist as your primary care provider for your teeth. They do a great job keeping your mouth healthy on a day-to-day basis. An OMS is the surgical specialist they collaborate with when a procedure involves complex anatomy or requires specific surgical care.
In Singapore, becoming an accredited OMS specialist requires years of additional hospital-based surgical residency after dental school. This background equips us to navigate detailed facial anatomy, manage pain and anxiety effectively, and safely treat patients who may have complex medical histories.
What OMS Handle Every Day
Wisdom Teeth Surgery: Safely removing impacted or awkwardly positioned wisdom teeth while protecting the delicate nerves running through the lower jaw or the sinuses of the upper jaw.
Dental Implants & Bone Grafting: Restoring function and smiles. We handle the surgical placement of implants and perform bone grafting or sinus lifts to ensure a secure, lasting foundation for your new tooth.
Biopsies and Pathology: Diagnosing and safely managing jaw cysts, tumours, bone infections, or abnormal growths within the jaw, gums and mouth.
Complex Medical Histories: Tailoring surgical plans and monitoring protocols to safely treat patients with underlying health conditions or those taking specific medications.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): Evaluating and treating issues related to the jaw joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles to relieve chronic facial pain, clicking, and restricted jaw movement. Botox injections can be given to relieve jaw pain and reduce teeth grinding.
Sedation Options: Providing safe, customized anesthesia options—ranging from local anesthesia to intravenous (IV) sedation—to ensure you remain completely relaxed and comfortable throughout your procedure.
Meticulous Planning and Patient-Centered Care
When you visit a OMS specialist clinic, a key difference is the technology used for meticulous surgical planning. OMS routinely rely on 3D imaging (CBCT) to get a comprehensive view of your facial anatomy—something standard 2D x-rays cannot always provide. This allows us to carefully map out your procedure before it even begins.
OMS focus on establishing a healthy surgical foundation. Once you have properly healed, we transition your care back to your regular dentist, who will complete the final cosmetic or restorative treatment.
Because we perform these specific surgeries every day, the process is streamlined, aiming for a smooth procedure and a comfortable recovery.
We understand that the thought of oral surgery can be intimidating.
Our OMS practice is built on meticulous patient care, meaning we take the time to clearly explain the steps, discuss sedation options to keep you relaxed, and ensure you feel comfortable and informed before we begin.
