Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Quick Overview
If you have ever dealt with persistent jaw pain, a difficult wisdom tooth, or a facial injury that went beyond a chipped tooth, you may have heard the term maxillofacial surgery mentioned by your dentist or GP. It sounds complex, and for good reason – it covers a wide spectrum of conditions involving the mouth, jaws, face, head and neck. But understanding what it involves, and knowing where to turn for help, can take much of the uncertainty out of the process.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical speciality that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and defects affecting the face, jaws, mouth and surrounding structures. It sits at the crossroads of dentistry and medicine, which is why the surgeons who practise it hold qualifications in both fields. In everyday terms, it covers everything from removing a stubborn impacted wisdom tooth to repairing a fractured jaw after a sporting accident.
At College Gate Dental Clinic in Glasnevin, Dublin 9, we manage most routine oral surgery needs directly in our practice. For more complex cases – such as major jaw realignment, facial fracture repair, or investigation of suspicious oral lesions – we work closely with trusted local oral and maxillofacial surgeons and hospital departments to ensure our patients receive seamless, coordinated care.
Common reasons patients come to us before any maxillofacial involvement include:
- Facial pain or a clicking, locking jaw
- Impacted teeth causing swelling or infection
- Jaw misalignment affecting bite or appearance
- Oral infections or abscesses that won't resolve
- Dental trauma from a fall, sports injury or accident
If the idea of surgery makes you anxious, you are not alone. We prioritise gentle care, clear explanations before any procedure, and modern anaesthesia and sedation options designed to keep you comfortable throughout. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed and supported at every stage.
What Is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
The term “oral and maxillofacial” breaks down simply: oral refers to the mouth, while maxillofacial refers to the jaws (maxilla and mandible) and face. Combined, oral and maxillofacial surgery is a speciality that diagnoses and treats conditions across the oral and maxillofacial region – encompassing teeth, jawbones, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), facial bones, the skull, and the associated structures of the head and neck region. Surgical specialists in this field diagnose and treat defects in the head and neck, bridging the gap between dentistry and medicine in a way that few other specialities do.
What does it cover?
The scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery is broad. It focuses on both hard and soft tissues of the mouth and face, including the following areas:
- Teeth and jawbones - removal of impacted teeth, treatment of cysts and tumours within bone
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) - investigation and treatment of jaw joint disorders
- Facial skeleton - repair of fractures, surgical correction of jaw deformities
- Soft tissues - management of infections, lesions and diseases of the lips, cheeks, tongue and oral mucosa
- Head and neck structures - diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland conditions, and involvement in cancer care
Maxillofacial surgery treats head, neck, and facial conditions that may range from a straightforward tooth extraction to complex reconstructive procedures.
Training and qualifications
Maxillofacial surgeons require both medical and dental degrees. In Ireland and the UK, this dual qualification is a legal requirement for specialist registration. In the UK specifically, maxillofacial surgery requires both medical and dental degrees before a trainee can enter higher surgical training. Training typically lasts 12 to 14 years post-secondary school, culminating in examinations such as the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. The FRCS is required to work as a Consultant Surgeon, and upon completion of specialist training, surgeons are placed on the relevant specialist register.
The speciality is recognised internationally. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a recognised dental speciality in the US, where residency programs last four to six years. It is also a recognised speciality in Australia, reflecting the global demand for this area of expertise.
Oral surgery vs maxillofacial surgery - what's the difference?
Routine oral surgery – such as simple extractions, apicectomies and minor cyst removal – is typically performed in a dental clinic under local anaesthetic or sedation. Maxillofacial surgery, by contrast, generally refers to more complex hospital-based work: major jaw surgery, facial trauma repair, tumour removal, or craniofacial reconstruction. The scope of the work, the anaesthesia required and the setting are the main distinguishing factors.
At College Gate Dental Clinic, our oral surgery team handles the majority of dental surgical needs in-practice. When a case requires hospital facilities or a consultant oral maxillofacial surgeon, we coordinate the referral and remain involved in your ongoing care.
Common Conditions Treated in Oral and Maxillofacial Care
Many patients are surprised by the range of conditions that fall under oral and maxillofacial care. Below are the real-world problems that most commonly lead to a consultation or referral, including numerous problems affecting the teeth, jaws and surrounding tissues.
Impacted teeth
An impacted tooth is one that has failed to erupt fully into the mouth, often because there is insufficient space or it is angled in the wrong direction. Impacted wisdom teeth are the most frequent example. Conditions include impacted teeth and cysts of the jaws, and leaving them untreated can lead to:
- Pain and swelling around the back of the jaw
- Infection of the gum tissue (pericoronitis)
- Damage to the neighbouring tooth
- Cyst formation within the jawbone
Our clinic provides wisdom tooth extractions for most cases. Deeply impacted teeth close to a nerve may require referral to a maxillofacial surgeon.
Facial pain and TMJ disorders
Oral and maxillofacial surgery addresses facial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders. Symptoms can include a clicking or locking jaw, chronic headaches, earache, and difficulty opening the mouth. Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats temporomandibular joint disorders, and in more advanced cases, oral and maxillofacial surgery addresses TMJ disorders through surgical stabilisation when conservative treatments such as splints or physiotherapy have not been effective.
Oral infections and abscesses
Untreated dental decay or gum disease can lead to infections that spread into the soft tissues of the face and neck. The speciality manages infections affecting the oral mucosa and deeper tissue planes. Some facial space infections can become life-threatening and require urgent hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage.
Cysts and benign tumours
Cysts in the jawbone often develop silently and are discovered on routine X-rays. Benign tumours of the jaws or soft tissues may present as painless swelling. Pathology and cancer treatment in oral and maxillofacial surgery includes diagnosing benign tumours, and early identification through biopsy is key to effective treatment.
Suspicious lesions, mouth ulcers and cancer
Non-healing mouth ulcers, white or red patches, and unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck should always be investigated. Maxillofacial surgery includes diagnosing and treating oral cancers, and the speciality also treats head and neck cancers. Early referral for biopsy can make a significant difference to outcomes. Conditions affecting the oral cavity in this way are taken very seriously, and your dentist will escalate any concerns promptly.
Jaw deformities
Significant underbite, overbite or facial asymmetry may be classified as facial disproportion. Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats facial disproportion, often in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, through corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery). This is explored further in the procedures section below.
Patients dealing with any of these numerous problems often first attend College Gate Dental Clinic with symptoms such as pain, swelling or difficulty chewing. Our team assesses the situation, arranges appropriate imaging, and coordinates any necessary referral to a maxillofacial surgeon.
Trauma and Emergency Maxillofacial Surgery
Facial trauma is one of the most urgent reasons a person may need maxillofacial surgery. Injuries to the teeth, jaws, cheekbones and soft tissues of the face can result from falls, sports injuries, road traffic accidents and assaults. Facial trauma management in oral and maxillofacial surgery includes treating fractures and lacerations that can range from minor to severe.
Common trauma injuries
Trauma patients may present with any combination of the following:
Injury type | Examples |
|---|---|
Dental injuries | Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth, broken or displaced teeth |
Soft tissue injuries | Lip and cheek lacerations, tongue injuries |
Bone fractures | Jaw fractures (mandible and maxilla), nasal fractures, cheekbone (zygomatic) fractures, orbital fractures |
Combined injuries | Multiple fractures with soft tissue damage |
Surgical procedures address facial injuries and head and neck cancers, and the scope of treatment includes everything from wiring a fractured jaw to complex reconstruction of the facial skeleton.
How fractures are diagnosed
Jaw and facial bone fractures are typically diagnosed through clinical examination combined with imaging – standard X-rays for dental injuries and CT scans for complex or multiple fractures. The diagnosis guides decisions about whether conservative management (rest, soft diet, monitoring) or surgical fixation with plates and screws is needed.
What we do at College Gate Dental Clinic
We offer same-day emergency dental appointments for dental trauma such as knocked-out or broken teeth. When we suspect facial fractures or more complex injuries, we coordinate immediate hospital-based maxillofacial care. Our team can stabilise dental injuries, manage pain, and ensure you reach the right specialist as quickly as possible.
Protective custom gum shields are also available at the clinic for patients involved in contact sports – one of the most effective ways to prevent dental and facial injuries in the first place.
When to go straight to hospital
If you or someone you know experiences any of the following after a facial injury, go directly to a hospital emergency department:
Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth or face
Suspected broken jaw (inability to open or close the mouth, visible misalignment)
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Loss of consciousness, even briefly
Contact us afterwards so we can coordinate follow-up dental care once the acute injuries have been managed.
Typical Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Procedures
This section covers the most common maxillofacial surgery oral procedures that patients ask about, from relatively straightforward clinic-based work to major hospital operations.
Procedures commonly performed in a dental clinic
Simple tooth extraction – removal of fully visible teeth under local anaesthetic. Our gentle extraction service is designed for patient comfort.
Surgical extraction of impacted teeth – maxillofacial surgery includes removal of impacted teeth, particularly wisdom teeth. This typically involves raising a gum flap, removing a small amount of bone, and sectioning the tooth. Recovery takes roughly 7–10 days for swelling and discomfort, with full soft tissue healing in about two weeks.
Apicectomy – surgical removal of the tip of a tooth root, usually when root canal treatment has not resolved infection.
Exposure of impacted teeth – performed to assist orthodontic treatment when a tooth (often an upper canine) has failed to erupt. A small window of gum and bone is removed, and a bracket is bonded to the tooth so the orthodontist can guide it into position.
Cyst removal (enucleation or marsupialisation) – surgical treatment of jaw cysts, with the approach depending on size and location.
More advanced hospital-based procedures
The following are usually performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in a hospital setting under general anaesthesia:
Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery – oral and maxillofacial surgery addresses orthognathic surgery for jaw misalignment. This involves repositioning the upper jaw, lower jaw or both, using plates and screws. Pre-surgical orthodontics typically takes 12–24 months, and initial recovery after surgery is around six weeks, with full bone healing continuing over several months. Surgical correction of jaw deformities can dramatically improve function and appearance.
Facial trauma repair – open reduction and internal fixation of jaw, cheekbone and orbital fractures. Maxillofacial surgery involves procedures on the facial skeleton to restore anatomy and function.
Head and neck cancer surgery – treatment of oral cancers and neck cancers, sometimes combined with reconstruction. Surgical options include microvascular reconstruction and craniofacial surgery to restore form after tumour removal.
Cleft lip and palate repair – cleft lip and palate surgeries are part of maxillofacial procedures, often beginning in infancy and requiring staged interventions through childhood.
Salivary gland surgery – treatment of salivary gland diseases including stones, infections and tumours.
Sleep apnoea surgery – sleep apnea surgery in oral and maxillofacial surgery improves breathing during sleep by repositioning the jaws or soft tissue structures.
Dental implants – dental implants involve replacing missing teeth and sometimes require bone grafting. Our implant service handles many cases in-clinic, with more complex bone grafting occasionally requiring maxillofacial input.
How oral and maxillofacial surgery supports other dental care
At College Gate Dental Clinic, maxillofacial oral procedures support our wider services. Orthodontic patients may need surgical exposure of a congenital unerupted tooth. Implant patients may need bone grafting before placement. Full-mouth rehabilitation cases sometimes require extraction of teeth that cannot be saved. The reconstruction of missing teeth and supporting bone is often a collaborative effort between our in-house team and external consultants.
All procedures are carefully planned using X-rays and, where required, 3D (CBCT) imaging. We provide clear aftercare guidance and schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing.
Our Role at College Gate Dental Clinic, Glasnevin
College Gate Dental Clinic is a multidisciplinary dental practice – not a hospital department – but we work closely with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to ensure our patients have access to the full range of care they may need.
In-clinic services linked to oral and maxillofacial care
Our experienced team, including specialist oral surgeon Mr Deepak Thomas, provides:
- Complex and surgical tooth extractions
- Surgical wisdom tooth removal
- Dental implant placement and site preparation
- Management of dental trauma (broken, displaced or knocked-out teeth)
- Biopsy of suspicious oral lesions
- Assessment and initial management of jaw pain and TMJ symptoms
Why patients in Dublin 9 choose us
Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
Opening hours | Evening available |
Parking | Free on-site parking |
Experience | Over 20 years serving the Glasnevin community |
Payment | Flexible payment plans |
Anxiety support | Pain-free appointment options, calm explanations, staged treatment plans |
Our general, cosmetic, orthodontic and implant dentists coordinate with external maxillofacial surgeons and hospital consultants when hospital-based care is needed. This means you have a single point of contact for your dental health, even when treatment involves multiple specialists.
For patients who feel anxious about any procedure, we offer local anaesthetic, sedation options where appropriate, and an unhurried approach that lets you ask questions and understand each step before we begin.
When You Might Be Referred to a Maxillofacial Surgeon
Not every dental problem requires a maxillofacial surgeon. Most extractions, infections and minor surgical issues can be handled in the dental chair. Referrals to oral and maxillofacial surgeons are made when a condition exceeds what can be safely or effectively managed in a dental clinic setting, or when a multidisciplinary hospital team is needed.
Common reasons for referral
- Deeply impacted wisdom teeth positioned close to the inferior alveolar nerve, where the risk of nerve injury warrants a hospital setting and specialist surgical skill
- Suspected benign or malignant lesions - non-healing ulcers, lumps or patches in the mouth or neck that need biopsy and potentially further treatment
- Complex facial fractures requiring open surgical repair under general anaesthesia
- Major corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) for significant bite discrepancies or facial disproportion
- Congenital conditions such as cleft palate requiring staged surgical intervention
Referrals can come from College Gate Dental Clinic, GPs, orthodontists and other dentists across Dublin.
What information goes to the surgeon?
When we refer you, we share:
Your dental records and relevant clinical notes
X-rays and CBCT scans
Clinical photographs
Your full medical history and current medications
A clear description of your symptoms and our findings
Our team also helps you understand hospital letters, scan results and treatment recommendations from the maxillofacial unit. You will not be left to interpret complex medical correspondence on your own.
What to Expect Before, During and After Surgery
Knowing what lies ahead can significantly reduce anxiety. Here is a straightforward guide to the patient journey through oral and maxillofacial treatment.
Before surgery (pre-operative)
- Consultation and examination - your surgeon or dentist assesses your condition, reviews imaging and discusses the options
- Imaging - X-rays, CBCT scans or CT scans as needed
- Discussion of risks and benefits - including procedure-specific risks such as nerve injury, infection, dry socket or sinus perforation
- Consent - you sign a consent form confirming you understand the procedure
- Practical planning - arranging time off work or school, organising transport home, stocking up on soft foods
During surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons administer various types of anaesthesia depending on the procedure. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained in anesthesiology and can administer deep sedation where required.
Anaesthesia type | Typical use |
|---|---|
Local anaesthetic | Simple extractions, minor oral surgery |
Conscious/IV sedation | Surgical wisdom tooth removal, anxious patients |
General anaesthesia | Orthognathic surgery, facial trauma repair, cancer surgery |
During hospital procedures, you will be monitored by a full surgical and anaesthetic team. Procedure times vary – a single wisdom tooth may take 20–45 minutes, while orthognathic surgery on both jaws can take three to four hours.
After surgery (post-operative)
Recovery depends heavily on the procedure:
Wisdom tooth removal – expect swelling and discomfort for 7–10 days, with return to non-strenuous activity in 3–5 days and full mucosal healing in approximately two weeks
Orthognathic surgery – initial healing takes around six weeks, during which you will follow a soft or pureed diet. Facial swelling gradually resolves over weeks. Full bone healing continues for several months, with orthodontic finishing typically needed for 3–6 months post-surgery
Facial trauma repair – variable depending on severity, but follow-up imaging and clinic visits are standard
For all procedures, you will receive written aftercare instructions – either from College Gate Dental Clinic or from the hospital maxillofacial department. Following these closely is one of the most important things you can do to support your recovery. Common guidance includes pain relief schedules, dietary restrictions, oral hygiene instructions and advice on when to seek urgent help.
Costs, Payment Options and Access to Care
The cost of oral and maxillofacial surgery varies depending on whether treatment is carried out in a private dental clinic or a hospital setting, and on the complexity of the procedure involved.
In-clinic costs
Routine oral surgery at College Gate Dental Clinic – including extractions, surgical wisdom tooth removal and minor surgical procedures – is quoted individually after assessment. You will always receive a detailed breakdown of costs before any treatment begins. Our dental fees guide provides a starting point, and our reception team can give you an accurate estimate for your specific situation.
Payment support
We believe cost should not be a barrier to necessary treatment. The clinic offers:
Staged payment plans for larger treatment plans
Acceptance of relevant dental insurance schemes (VHI, Laya, Irish Life, PRSI)
Hospital-based maxillofacial surgery
In some cases, hospital-based maxillofacial surgery may be accessed via public pathways through the HSE, with fees set by the public hospital rather than our clinic. Private hospital fees vary. If you hold a medical card, certain treatments at public dental hospitals may be provided at reduced cost or free of charge, though waiting times tend to be longer.
For context, published pricing at Cork University Dental Hospital includes consultation with a specialist at approximately €150, biopsy at approximately €90, and cyst enucleation at approximately €190. Private clinic fees for surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth in Dublin typically start from around €350 depending on complexity.
Contact our reception team in Glasnevin by phone or through our website to get an accurate estimate tailored to your needs.
Booking an Oral or Maxillofacial Assessment in Glasnevin
If you are experiencing facial pain, trouble with an impacted tooth, trauma to your teeth or face, or any concern about your jaw, the best next step is to arrange an assessment. Early diagnosis and treatment consistently lead to better outcomes and fewer complications.
How to book
Phone the clinic directly during opening hours
Book online through our website
Request a call-back if you prefer to discuss your situation before committing to an appointment
We offer flexible appointments including evening and weekend slots, making it easier to fit dental care around your schedule.
What to bring
A list of current medications
Your medical history and any known allergies
Previous X-rays or scans, if available
Any referral letters from a GP or another dentist
Emergency and urgent cases
Emergency slots are reserved daily for urgent issues such as severe dental pain, broken teeth, facial swelling or suspected infection. If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us and we will advise you.
Whether you need a straightforward extraction or guidance on a complex jaw condition, College Gate Dental Clinic will guide you through every step – from your first examination to any specialist oral and maxillofacial surgery you might need. You do not have to navigate this alone.
Get in touch today to book your assessment at College Gate Dental Clinic, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
