oral and maxillofacial surgery [L, oralis, pertaining to the mouth; Gk, cheirourgos, surgeon] , one of the nine recognized dental specialties. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis and the surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. Also called maxillofacial surgery, oral surgery. See also dental surgeon.
