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Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

What Is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats conditions in your mouth, teeth, jaw, neck, and face. You might need surgery if you have an injury, disease, deformity, cosmetic concern, or other condition. 

Our surgical team are leaders in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condition treatment. Other common surgeries include the following: 

  • Reconstruct damage from an injury
  • Correct existing conditions that cause pain and limit function
  • Provide cosmetic and functional improvements
  • Treat and prevent cancer
  • Extract wisdom teeth and place dental implants

Is Maxillofacial Surgery Medical or Dental?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are a unique group of experts with medical, dental, and surgical training. Dental and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) specialists often refer patients to oral and maxillofacial surgery services.

The type of surgery you need determines whether your billing is medical or dental. Our team can help you understand your coverage.

Why Choose University of Utah Health?

Our surgeons know that surgery to your face, neck, and jaw can disrupt your life. You might try to avoid surgery to these sensitive areas, especially if you have anxieties about dental work. We understand. Our goal is to treat you safely and improve your quality of life.

Our team uses the latest technologies to ease your surgery and recovery. We use virtual surgical planning to decrease surgery time and improve surgery outcomes.

JAW CANCER RECONSTRUCTION
in collaboration with Huntsman Cancer Institute

REGION'S LEADING
TMJ disorder treatment

PREMIER TERTIARY CARE CENTER
in the Mountain West

Conditions & Treatments

Cleft Lip & Palate

  • Alveolar ridge grafting
  • Orthognathic surgery in cleft patients

Cosmetics

  • Chin augmentation
  • Incision/laceration revision surgery

Dentoalveolar Surgery

  • Routine and complicated extractions
  • Wisdom tooth extractions
  • Expose and bond impacted teeth
  • Bone grafting procedures
  • Dental implant surgery
  • Alveoloplasty
  • Frenectomy/tongue tie surgery

Orthognathic Surgery

  • Jaw repositioning surgery
  • Obstructive sleep apnea surgery

Pathology

  • Biopsies/resections
  • Osteomyelitis and medication related osteonecrosis
  • Jaw cancer reconstruction in conjunction with Huntsman Cancer Head and Neck surgeons
  • Benign cysts and tumors of the facial skeleton
  • Skin lesions in the maxillofacial region

TMJ

  • Treatment of complex temporomandibular joint conditions
  • Joint arthroscopy
  • Joint replacement surgery

Trauma Injury

  • Laceration repair
  • Cheek bone fractures
  • Orbit fractures
  • Midface fractures
  • Tooth/alveolar fractures
  • Mandible fractures
  • Frontal bone fractures

Find an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

David R. Adams, DDS


Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Andrew J. Gross, DMD, PhD


Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your first appointment will be a consultation with one or more of our oral surgeons. We will ask you about your medical history and current needs. We may request some imaging to get a better idea of your condition.

Then, we’ll discuss a care plan with you. You may require surgery or another procedure in future appointments.

How to Make an Appointment

Please consult with your dentist or physician before you make an appointment with our oral and maxillofacial surgery team. You must have a referral before you can schedule. Call 801-213-6575 with questions.