Can A Maxillofacial Surgeon Be A Plastic Surgeon At The Same Time?
Posted on 11/8/2021 by Summit Dental Group
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental professionals who treat diseases on the head, the mouth, the jaw, the neck, and the tissues around them. Since they still are surgeons, they will treat the diseases that specifically need surgery. On the other hand, a plastic surgeon performs procedures on any part of the body. What characterizes the plastic surgeon is the ability to repair and reconstruct any physical defect a patient could have, whether due to burns, trauma, or congenital anomalies.
Both of them are medical specialties, so in short, yes. If someone decides to go through all the necessary training, they can be both. However, depending on the jurisdiction, either of these specialties may require four to six years of training. They might look like they are alike at some point, but they also have differences.
What Do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Have In Common With Plastic Surgeons And What Are Their Differences?
The main difference is that the oral and maxillofacial surgeon needs to have a degree in dentistry, medicine, or even both. On the contrary, the plastic surgeon only needs a degree in medicine.
If we break down the plastic surgery concept, we will realize that oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform plastic surgery on the face. That does not make them plastic surgeons, but it is one of the similarities. The more common examples of this are cleft lip and cleft palate surgery. Some others include underbite or overbite and any reconstruction that takes place on the face.
The same goes with plastic surgeons: they can perform procedures on the face like facelifts, rhinoplasty, and eye lifts. Still, oral and maxillofacial surgeons cannot perform them. You can always contact us for more information on maxillofacial and plastic surgery.
Summit Dental Group, 9121 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 + 260-297-7081 + summitdentalgrp.com + 12/7/2024 + Related Phrases: dentist Fort Wayne IN +
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental professionals who treat diseases on the head, the mouth, the jaw, the neck, and the tissues around them. Since they still are surgeons, they will treat the diseases that specifically need surgery. On the other hand, a plastic surgeon performs procedures on any part of the body. What characterizes the plastic surgeon is the ability to repair and reconstruct any physical defect a patient could have, whether due to burns, trauma, or congenital anomalies.