Oral Surgery Specialists in Kelowna | Drs. Martyna and Wong, Oral Surgeons

What is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon?

An OMFS – also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon – is the surgical expert of the dental profession. Their extensive education and training, surgical expertise and understanding of esthetics and function qualify them to treat diseases, defects, injuries and esthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. The first time many people interact with an OMFS is to develop a plan for wisdom teeth management, but this is just one aspect of the broad scope of an OMFS practice. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon collaborates with your dentist and/or physician to provide specific aspects of your overall oral health care.

Oral Surgeon vs. OMFS vs. Oral & Facial Surgeon

The phrase “oral surgeon” or “oral & facial surgeon” is commonly used for simplicity when referring to an oral & maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS). While dentists can perform minor oral surgeries, they are not oral surgeons (or oral and maxillofacial surgeons). In Canada, one way to distinguish a board-certified specialist is by looking for “FRCD(C)” or “Certified Specialist in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery” in their credentials or job title. If this isn’t present, the dentist is most likely not a certified specialist.

What Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?

Following dental school, an OMFS completes a minimum of four to six additional years of surgical training in a hospital-based residency program. This makes an OMFS the true surgical specialist of the dental field, able to perform advanced surgeries that can encompass the entire maxillofacial region.

During their residency program, OMFSs train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, cardiology, general surgery and anesthesiology. They also train with their surgical colleagues in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), plastic surgery, trauma surgery and other specialty areas.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons train extensively with anesthesiologists for your safety and comfort. No other medical or dental specialty requires this training, which makes an OMFS qualified to administer sedation and general anesthesia. Although many general dentists offer “sleep” dentistry, only an OMFS is licensed to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia in which their patients are truly unconscious.

Kelowna Oral & Facial Surgery provides the following services: