Oral and maxillofacial surgery (in short: maxillofacial surgery) deals with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and restoration of the function of
Specific diseases, malocclusions and injuries (as a result of an accident) are the main indications for maxillofacial specialists.
Experts in oral and maxillofacial surgery, or oral and maxillofacial specialists for short, primarily deal with the following diseases, malformations and consequences of accidents:
As the name suggests, oral and maxillofacial surgeons usually perform surgery. Their main task is to restore the natural functionality of the mouth, throat and facial area or to make it look as natural as possible with the help of implants.
Plastic-aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery is particularly important in the case of malformations (e.g. cleft lip and palate) or in the event of injuries and accidents.
The work of oral and maxillofacial specialists usually makes it possible for affected patients to lead a carefree life again. Both implantology and oral surgery play an important role in the field of oral surgery.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty in the German medical landscape.
As oral and maxillofacial surgery effectively combines two medical disciplines, oral and maxillofacial specialists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland must have a dual license to practice. The title "Dr. med Dr. med. dent." is therefore very common among oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Another special feature is that, due to their proximity to other organ systems, specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery have to work together with neighboring disciplines more frequently than other medical professionals. It is therefore often necessary to perform joint procedures on patients with the help of ophthalmologists, neurologists or ear, nose and throat specialists.
Anyone wishing to work as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Germany must complete a degree in medicine and dentistry at the same time. The prospective specialist must then complete 5 years of further training to become a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Three years of this time must be completed as ward service in the practice.
During this time, the prospective oral and maxillofacial specialist is able to build up a sufficiently large surgical register, as surgical skills count for a great deal in oral and maxillofacial surgery. After successfully passing the examination to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, further training for the additional qualification "plastic surgery" can be added.
There are currently around 1,500 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Germany. Around half of these are registered doctors in private practice. The other half of oral and maxillofacial specialists are mainly found in hospitals and special clinics or departments for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
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