Many people assume oral and maxillofacial surgery is just about removing wisdom teeth, but it's actually a specialty that combines dentistry and general surgery, treating a much wider range of conditions in the mouth, jaw, and face. This guide covers the real cases that need an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, what happens during diagnosis and surgery, and approximate price ranges.

Conditions an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Treats

  • Impacted or angled wisdom teeth that don't have room to erupt normally
  • Facial and jaw injuries and fractures from accidents
  • Cysts and tumors of the mouth and jaws (benign, or needing evaluation to rule out malignancy)
  • Severe jaw deformities (a protruding or receded lower jaw affecting bite and chewing) requiring corrective jaw surgery
  • Complex dental implant cases requiring bone grafting beforehand
  • Severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that don't respond to conservative treatment

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: When Does It Actually Need Surgery?

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that don't have room to develop normally or fully erupt through the gums, and nine out of ten people have at least one. Impaction doesn't automatically mean immediate extraction is needed - the decision depends on whether there are symptoms (recurring pain, repeated inflammation of the surrounding gum, decay in the neighboring tooth) or a clear future risk, such as the impacted tooth pressing on the roots of the tooth next to it.

Signs You Should See an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Soon

  • Recurring pain or swelling in the back gum with no other obvious cause
  • Difficulty opening your mouth fully, paired with pain at the back of the jaw
  • Facial swelling after a direct injury, even if the pain seems tolerable
  • A painless lump or swelling inside the mouth that persists more than two weeks
  • Difficulty biting normally after an accident or blow to the face

What Happens During Diagnosis and Surgery?

Assessment usually starts with a panoramic jaw X-ray, and the surgeon may order a cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan for complex cases to precisely locate the impacted tooth relative to the inferior alveolar nerve and avoid injuring it during surgery. Impacted wisdom tooth removal is typically done under local anesthesia with sedation, or general anesthesia for more complex cases or when removing several teeth at once, and usually takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on difficulty.

Recovery After Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Normal pain and swelling after removing an impacted tooth usually lasts two to four days, and it's best to avoid hard foods and strong sucking (like using a straw) for the first week to reduce the risk of a painful dry socket. Full healing of the surrounding soft tissue takes a few weeks, while the surrounding bone fully heals over several months.

Approximate Cost in SAR

Cost varies by how complex the impaction is and the type of anesthesia used - these figures are a general indicator only and are set after reviewing your X-ray:

  • Surgical removal of one impacted wisdom tooth (local anesthesia): typically SAR 500-3,000
  • Removing several teeth under general anesthesia: the price rises noticeably to cover anesthesia and follow-up
  • Corrective jaw surgery or bone grafting before implants: varies significantly by case and can only be estimated after a full evaluation

Does Insurance Cover Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?

Most health insurance covers impacted wisdom tooth removal when there's a documented medical reason (pain, recurring infection, risk to a neighboring tooth), but purely cosmetic jaw procedures may not be covered. Confirm your policy's details before booking.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Bring any previous dental X-rays, a list of medications you take (especially blood thinners), and tell the surgeon about any chronic conditions before the anesthesia type is decided.

Book Your Consultation

Whether you have recurring wisdom tooth pain or need an evaluation for a jaw injury or deformity, book your consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon through Araby Clinic for a clear, X-ray-based diagnosis before any decision.