Oral surgeons play a critical role in modern healthcare, handling complex conditions of the mouth, jaws, and facial structures that go beyond the scope of general dentistry. Understanding core oral surgeon job duties is essential for anyone considering this career path or planning to work with these specialists in a South African context.
Below is an evidence-based, SEO-optimised overview of what oral and maxillofacial surgeons do, based entirely on credible, real-world sources.
What Is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
In South Africa, an oral surgeon is formally recognised as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) – a specialist who diagnoses and surgically treats diseases, injuries, and defects involving the mouth, jaws, face, and related structures. The South African Dental Association describes oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty dealing with conditions of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck that often require surgery in a hospital or specialised setting (South African Dental Association).
Internationally, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons defines these specialists as experts trained in surgery of the face, mouth, and jaws, bridging both dental and medical domains (AAOMS – About OMS).
Core Oral Surgeon Job Duties
1. Diagnosing Conditions of the Mouth, Jaw, and Face
A fundamental part of oral surgeon job duties is clinical assessment and diagnosis. According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), oral and maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for the diagnosis and surgical management of diseases, injuries and defects in the maxillofacial region (HPCSA: Scope of Practice – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery).
This includes:
- Taking detailed medical and dental histories
- Performing clinical examinations of the oral cavity, jaws, face, and neck
- Ordering and interpreting imaging such as X‑rays, CT scans, or MRIs
- Formulating differential diagnoses and treatment plans
The AAOMS similarly notes that OMFS specialists are trained to evaluate and diagnose complex conditions of the facial region before deciding on surgical interventions (AAOMS – What is OMS).
2. Surgical Removal of Impacted and Diseased Teeth
One of the best-known oral surgeon job duties is surgical tooth extraction, especially impacted wisdom teeth. The AAOMS confirms that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specifically trained in:
- Removal of impacted teeth, including complex wisdom tooth extractions
- Management of infections associated with teeth and surrounding bone
- Surgical extraction of teeth that cannot be removed by routine dental methods
(AAOMS – Wisdom Teeth Management)
This duty often includes managing complications such as cysts or nerve proximity and providing postoperative pain and infection control.
3. Management of Facial Trauma and Fractures
Injury management is a central part of the role. The South African Dental Association notes that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are frequently involved in treating facial trauma, including fractures of the jaw and facial bones (SADA – Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Overview).
The AAOMS further details that oral surgeons:
- Treat facial fractures of the upper and lower jaws, cheekbones, and orbits
- Repair soft tissue injuries of the face, mouth, and lips
- Address dental trauma, such as avulsed (knocked‑out) or fractured teeth
These duties include both emergency care (e.g., after accidents) and reconstructive follow-up.
4. Dental Implant Placement and Related Bone Surgery
Modern oral surgeon job duties increasingly focus on implant-based tooth replacement. The South African Society of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons (SASMFOS) highlights that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are key providers of dental implant surgery, often handling complex cases with bone loss or anatomical challenges (SASMFOS – About Maxillofacial Surgery).
Typical implant-related duties include:
- Surgical placement of dental implants
- Bone grafting procedures to augment deficient jawbone
- Sinus lift surgery to create sufficient bone height in the upper jaw
- Long‑term evaluation of implant integration and complication management
AAOMS similarly describes implant surgery and associated bone reconstruction as core functions of the specialty (AAOMS – Dental Implants).
5. Orthognathic (Corrective Jaw) Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is another advanced responsibility. SASMFOS notes that oral and maxillofacial surgeons correct jaw discrepancies that cause functional problems with chewing, speaking, and breathing, as well as facial imbalance (SASMFOS – Orthognathic Surgery).
These duties typically involve:
- Collaborative planning with orthodontists
- Surgical repositioning of the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both
- Improving occlusion (bite), facial symmetry, and sometimes airway function
AAOMS also lists orthognathic surgery as a primary area of practice for OMFS specialists (AAOMS – Corrective Jaw Surgery).
6. Treatment of Pathology: Cysts, Tumours, and Oral Cancer Support
The HPCSA scope of practice indicates that oral and maxillofacial surgeons manage pathological conditions affecting the jaws and oral tissues, including cysts and tumours (HPCSA – Scope of Practice OMFS).
Common pathology-related job duties include:
- Biopsy and removal of oral lesions, cysts, and benign tumours
- Surgical management of jaw cysts and associated bone defects
- Participation in multidisciplinary teams for oral and maxillofacial cancers
- Reconstruction following tumour resection, when indicated
The AAOMS confirms OMFS involvement in diagnosing and surgically treating benign and malignant pathologies of the facial region (AAOMS – Oral, Head, and Neck Pathology).
7. Management of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
Jaw joint problems are another specialised area. AAOMS outlines that oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide both nonsurgical and surgical management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), ranging from conservative therapies to reconstructive joint surgery in severe cases (AAOMS – TMJ Disorders).
Typical TMJ-related duties include:
- Clinical diagnosis and imaging of TMJ disorders
- Minimally invasive procedures such as arthrocentesis or arthroscopy
- Open joint surgery in complex or degenerative cases
8. Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, and Craniofacial Surgery
According to SASMFOS, some oral and maxillofacial surgeons subspecialise in cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies, working closely with plastic surgeons, ENT surgeons, and speech therapists (SASMFOS – Craniofacial & Cleft Services).
Duties in this area can include:
- Surgical repair of cleft lip and/or palate
- Alveolar bone grafting to support tooth eruption in cleft areas
- Ongoing craniofacial growth monitoring and secondary corrective procedures
AAOMS notes that craniofacial surgery is a recognised extension of OMFS training in many regions (AAOMS – Pediatric & Craniofacial Surgery).
9. Administration of Anaesthesia and Sedation
A distinctive feature of oral surgeon job duties is advanced training in anaesthesia. AAOMS emphasises that oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive education in:
- Local anaesthesia
- Conscious (IV) sedation
- Deep sedation and general anaesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting
(AAOMS – Office-based Anesthesia)
This enables them to safely perform complex procedures in clinics or day-surgery environments. The HPCSA scope recognises that OMFS specialists may provide appropriate levels of anaesthesia within their accredited practice settings (HPCSA – Scope of Practice OMFS).
10. Postoperative Care and Follow-up
After any surgical procedure, oral surgeons are responsible for:
- Postoperative monitoring, including pain and infection control
- Removal of sutures and evaluation of healing
- Managing complications such as dry socket, nerve injuries, or implant failure
- Long-term follow-up for reconstructive or corrective surgeries
Both SADA and AAOMS highlight comprehensive pre‑ and postoperative care as integral to safe, effective oral and maxillofacial surgery practice (SADA – Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; AAOMS – About OMS).
Additional Professional Responsibilities
Beyond direct clinical work, oral surgeon job duties often extend to:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, ENT specialists, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and other professionals (SASMFOS – About Maxillofacial Surgery)
- Teaching and training of dental and medical students or registrars within academic hospitals (HPCSA – Training & Registration Requirements)
- Research and innovation in surgical techniques, biomaterials, and patient outcomes
- Compliance with professional standards and ethical practice as mandated by the HPCSA (HPCSA – Ethical Guidelines)
Summary: Key Oral Surgeon Job Duties
Based on the above authoritative sources, the core oral surgeon job duties include:
- Diagnosing diseases and conditions of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck
- Removing impacted and diseased teeth, including complex wisdom tooth surgery
- Managing facial trauma, fractures, and soft-tissue injuries
- Performing dental implant surgery and bone grafting
- Conducting corrective jaw (orthognathic) surgery
- Treating cysts, tumours, and supporting oral cancer management
- Managing TMJ disorders and, in some cases, craniofacial anomalies and clefts
- Administering local anaesthesia, sedation, and (where appropriate) general anaesthesia
- Providing comprehensive postoperative care and follow-up
- Participating in teaching, research, and multidisciplinary team care
For readers in South Africa seeking more detail about the specialty, the South African Society of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons provides a concise overview of scope and services (SASMFOS – About Maxillofacial Surgery), while the HPCSA outlines the formal scope of practice for registered oral and maxillofacial surgeons (HPCSA – Scope of Practice OMFS).
These sources together give a clear, factual picture of what the job truly entails in today’s healthcare environment.
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