If you’re trying to define oral and maxillofacial surgery near Walnut Creek CA, this guide will help. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the dental specialty that manages surgery of the mouth, jaws, face, and related structures. Read on to learn what problems these surgeons treat, common procedures, the technology they use, safety and anesthesia, when to seek a specialist, and practical next steps for patients near Walnut Creek CA.
How to define oral and maxillofacial surgery near Walnut Creek CA
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. Surgeons in this field complete dental school plus additional hospital-based surgical residency training. People often search to define oral and maxillofacial surgery when they face complex tooth removals, jaw problems, facial trauma, or when they need advanced implant or reconstructive care.
What conditions and problems does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon treat?
Tooth and jaw issues
Surgeons handle difficult tooth extractions like impacted wisdom teeth and teeth that can’t be removed safely in a general office. They also perform corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to fix bite alignment, improve chewing, and correct facial balance.
Trauma, pathology, and infections
These specialists treat facial fractures from accidents, deep infections that don’t respond to antibiotics, and surgical removal or biopsy of cysts and tumors in the mouth and jaw. They stabilize injuries and manage complex soft tissue and bone wounds.
Reconstructive and cosmetic cases
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform bone grafting to rebuild lost jawbone, reconstruct facial structures after trauma or tumor removal, and offer cosmetic procedures to improve appearance or function of the face and jaw.
Common procedures you may see when searching to define oral and maxillofacial surgery
– Wisdom tooth removal (impacted tooth extractions) – Dental implant placement, including All-on-X full-arch restorations and zygomatic implants for severe bone loss – Bone grafting and sinus lifts to restore jaw volume – TMJ (jaw joint) surgeries and arthroscopy – Surgical biopsies and tumor removal – Reconstruction after trauma or cancer surgery
Diagnostic tools and technology used to define oral and maxillofacial surgery care
Modern oral surgery uses advanced imaging and digital tools to improve planning and outcomes. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) gives 3D views of bone and nerves. Intraoral scanners capture digital impressions without messy materials. CAD/CAM and 3D printing produce precise surgical guides, models, and temporary teeth. Guided-surgery protocols help position implants exactly where planned, improving safety and predictability.
Safety, sedation, and anesthesia for oral and maxillofacial surgery
Surgeons offer several anesthesia options depending on the procedure and patient needs: local anesthesia, IV sedation (moderate or deep), and general anesthesia for longer or more complex cases. Many practices work with or are trained in hospital-level anesthesia standards and use continuous monitoring—heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure—to keep patients safe. Board-certified anesthesiology involvement is common for deep sedation and general anesthesia.
How oral and maxillofacial surgery differs from general dentistry and ENT
Training distinguishes these fields. General dentists diagnose and treat routine dental issues and may perform simple extractions and crowns. ENTs (ear, nose, and throat doctors) handle airway, sinus, and some facial procedures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons undergo surgical residencies that combine dental and medical training and focus on complex surgeries of the mouth, jaws, and face. Dentists and ENTs refer cases when surgery becomes complex, when hospital-level care is needed, or when anesthesia beyond local numbing is required.
When to see a surgeon — signs you should consult an oral and maxillofacial specialist
Seek a specialist if you have: – Severe or worsening pain and swelling around a tooth or jaw – Facial trauma or a suspected broken jaw – Persistent infection after root canal or tooth extraction – Failed implant sites or significant bone loss – Difficulty opening your mouth, severe bite problems, or chronic TMJ pain – Complex removal of impacted teeth or tumors/cysts in the mouth
Choosing the right surgeon near Walnut Creek CA
Credentials and experience to look for
Look for board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery, hospital residency training, documented experience with advanced implants and bone grafting, and anesthesia credentials. Experience with guided-surgery workflows and CBCT planning is also valuable.
Questions to ask during your consult
Ask about the surgeon’s complication rates, the imaging used for planning, sedation options available, whether an on-site lab or prosthetic services are offered, and realistic recovery expectations. Request to see before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours.
About Ali Alijanian, DDS — a local oral and maxillofacial surgery option
Dr. Ali Alijanian is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon serving Walnut Creek CA with over 24 years of experience. His practice combines hospital residency training, advanced implant work (All-on-X, zygomatic implants), and digital tools like CBCT, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM, guided-surgery, and an on-site lab to streamline care. This all-in-one model supports same-day implant workflows and precise surgical planning.
Recovery expectations and basic aftercare
Recovery varies by procedure. Simple extractions often heal in a week with mild pain and swelling. Implant and bone graft surgeries may take several weeks to months for full healing; temporary teeth or prostheses can reduce downtime. Common aftercare includes rest, cold packs for swelling, soft foods for a few days, prescribed pain control, and oral hygiene instructions. Call your surgeon for increasing pain, fever, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection.
Next steps for patients who searched “define oral and maxillofacial surgery” near Walnut Creek CA
If you want to define oral and maxillofacial surgery near Walnut Creek CA for your situation, schedule a consult with a board-certified surgeon, bring any prior imaging, and prepare questions about treatment options, anesthesia, and recovery. A specialist can perform diagnostics, take CBCT scans, and—when appropriate—offer same-day implant and guided-surgery solutions to get you back to normal faster.
