Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases affecting:

• The oral cavity (inside the mouth)

• Jaw (maxilla and mandible)

• Face and surrounding tissues

This field covers a wide range of conditions—from common dental issues to complex surgical and medical diseases, including tumors and trauma.

Conditions Treated in Oral Surgery

Oral surgeons are trained to manage both surgical and non-surgical conditions, such as:

Surgical Conditions

• Wisdom tooth extraction

• Jaw deformities (orthognathic conditions)

• Cysts and tumors (benign and malignant)

• Salivary gland disorders

• Facial trauma (fractures, injuries from accidents or sports)

• Congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate

Medical (Non-Surgical) Conditions

• Oral mucosal diseases

• Neurological disorders affecting the mouth

• Chronic oral ulcers

• Halitosis (bad breath)

• Systemic diseases with oral symptoms

👉 Because the oral region can reflect systemic health issues, oral surgeons play a critical role in early diagnosis.

Common Symptoms That Require Oral Surgery Consultation

You should consult an oral surgeon if you experience:

• Pain when opening your mouth

• Difficulty opening your mouth fully

• Jaw clicking or popping sounds

• Tooth pain when biting

• Persistent oral ulcers

• Swelling, pus, or infection

• Broken or fractured teeth

• Jaw injuries or trauma

• Unexplained tongue pain or taste abnormalities

• Dry mouth or chronic discomfort

👉 Even minor symptoms can sometimes indicate serious underlying conditions, including oral cancer.

Our Clinical Experience and Expertise

At our clinic, oral surgery is performed by experienced dental professionals working alongside oral surgery specialists.

Key Strengths:

• Collaboration with medical departments (multi-disciplinary care)

• Advanced diagnostic imaging (Dental CT scans)

• Fully equipped surgical operating room

• Safe treatment environment for both routine and complex cases

We also provide:

👉 Intravenous sedation administered by anesthesia specialists, allowing patients to undergo procedures in a relaxed and stress-free state.

Key Treatments in Oral Surgery

1. Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth (third molars) typically emerge in the late teens to early 20s.

However, they often:

• Grow at an angle

• Remain impacted (trapped in bone or gum)

• Cause repeated inflammation or infection

• Lead to crowding or damage to adjacent teeth

👉 Extraction is recommended when these issues occur.

Safety Approach:

• 3D imaging using CT scans

• Careful evaluation of nerves and blood vessels

• Minimally invasive surgical techniques

2. Tooth Extraction (General)

Tooth extraction is performed when:

• Severe decay (caries)

• Advanced periodontal disease

• Irreversible pulp damage

• Orthodontic or medical necessity

We carefully assess each case, especially for patients with:

• Blood disorders

• Systemic diseases

• Increased bleeding risk

👉 Our clinic ensures safe extraction even for medically complex patients.

3. Oral Mucosal Diseases

Conditions affecting oral soft tissues include:

• Inflammation

• Allergic reactions

• Tumors

Common signs:

• Swelling

• Ulceration

• Discoloration

👉 Early and accurate diagnosis is critical due to rapid symptom changes.

4. Oral Tumors (Benign and Malignant)

Oral tumors are classified as:

Benign Tumors

• Odontogenic tumors (e.g., ameloblastoma)

• Soft tissue tumors (papilloma, fibroma, hemangioma)

Malignant Tumors (Oral Cancer)

Common types include:

• Tongue cancer

• Gum cancer

Risk Factors:

• Smoking

• Alcohol consumption

• Poor oral hygiene

• HPV infection

👉 Smokers have approximately 4× higher mortality risk from oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Self-Check

Seek immediate evaluation if you notice:

• Non-healing ulcers

• Easy bleeding in the mouth

• Hard lumps or thickened areas

• Swelling in the neck or jaw

• Difficulty swallowing

5. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

TMD affects the jaw joint and muscles.

Symptoms include:

• Jaw pain

• Clicking or popping sounds

• Limited mouth opening

• Headaches, neck pain, or ear discomfort

Causes:

• Stress

• Bite misalignment

• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

• Lifestyle habits

👉 Early treatment prevents progression and joint damage.

6. Maxillofacial Trauma

Injuries may include:

• Fractured teeth

• Jawbone fractures

• Soft tissue injuries

• Facial lacerations

Common causes:

• Traffic accidents

• Falls

• Sports injuries

👉 Early treatment improves both function and facial aesthetics.

7. Jaw Deformities (Orthognathic Conditions)

These occur when jaw alignment is abnormal, causing:

• Facial asymmetry

• Bite problems

When orthodontics alone is insufficient,👉 Surgical correction (orthognathic surgery) may be required.

8. Cleft Lip and Palate

A congenital condition affecting the lip and/or palate.

Treatment requires long-term, multidisciplinary care involving:

• Oral surgeons

• Orthodontists

• Pediatric dentists

• Plastic surgeons

• ENT specialists

👉 Treatment often continues from infancy into adulthood.

Why Choose Our Clinic?

We provide:

• Comprehensive oral surgery care

• Collaboration with medical professionals

• Advanced surgical environment

• Patient-centered, safe treatment

👉 Our goal is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care you can trust.

Final Insight: Early Diagnosis Saves Lives

Oral conditions can range from mild to life-threatening.

👉 What seems like a small issue—such as a persistent ulcer or jaw pain—may be an early sign of a serious disease.

Early consultation is the key to better outcomes.

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Author Information

Director / Doctor of Dental Surgery (PhD)Yoko Yoshida

Education & Career

• Graduated from Kanagawa Dental University

• Joined the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanagawa Dental University Hospital

• Obtained PhD in Dentistry from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanagawa Dental University

• Dissertation: “Study on a Novel Method for Identifying Transcription Factors — Identification of Transcription Factors Involved in the Upregulation of the BRAK Gene”

• Appointed Director, Medical Corporation Nanshukai

• Founded Yuki General Dental Clinic, Medical Corporation Yushinkai

• Appointed Director, Yokohama Front Yuki General Dental Clinic

Certifications & Affiliations

• PhD in Dentistry

• Member, Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

• Member, Japanese Society of Oral Implantology

  • Completed Straumann Technical Course (Implantology)

• Member, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Dentistry

• Member, Japanese Society of Dentistry for Medically Compromised Patients

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