What Does a Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?

A maxillofacial surgeon treats diseases, injuries, and structural problems affecting the mouth, jaws, and face. In the United States, the specialty is commonly called oral and maxillofacial surgery. The surgeon examines patients and uses clinical findings and imaging to decide whether an operation or another approach is appropriate. When surgery is needed, the surgeon plans and performs it to address the condition and preserve or restore functions such as chewing, breathing, and speaking. Follow-up care and coordination with other clinicians help support healing and the patient’s longer-term needs.

What Is a Maxillofacial Surgeon?

A maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist who diagnoses and surgically treats conditions involving the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and face. The work can include removing impacted teeth, treating oral infections, preparing the jaw for dental implants, and repairing facial injuries. Some surgeons also perform jaw correction, tumor removal, or reconstructive procedures. The exact work depends on the surgeon’s training and practice setting. O*NET’s profile describes the occupation as surgery and related procedures to treat disease, injury, or defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions.

What Are the Main Responsibilities of a Maxillofacial Surgeon?

The surgeon begins by assessing the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and oral and facial function. An examination may focus on the bite, jaw movement, sensation, and changes in soft tissue. The surgeon may review dental X-rays or other imaging to clarify a tooth’s position, identify a fracture, or understand complex anatomy. The findings help determine whether surgery is appropriate, what it is expected to accomplish, and whether another treatment or referral is more suitable.

When an operation is selected, the surgeon plans the procedure around the condition and the patient’s health and anatomy. This may mean removing a tooth that cannot be restored, treating an infection, stabilizing a facial fracture, or preparing tissue and bone for implant placement. More complex cases may involve removing a tumor or reconstructing part of the jaw or face. The surgeon explains the proposed treatment and its expected benefits and risks, then performs the procedure using the anesthesia and setting appropriate to the case.

Care continues after the operation. The surgeon checks healing and responds to complications or changes in function. For treatment that affects the bite or facial structure, the surgeon may coordinate with an orthodontist, restorative dentist, or other clinician so that each part of the plan fits together.

What Does a Maxillofacial Surgeon Do on a Daily Basis?

A typical day may start with reviewing patient histories, imaging, and planned procedures. During consultations, the surgeon examines patients and discusses what their symptoms mean and which treatment options fit the findings. The surgeon then performs scheduled procedures, with the clinical team preparing the patient and supporting care during the operation. In a hospital or emergency setting, the schedule may also include urgent assessment of facial injuries.

After procedures, the surgeon documents the care provided and gives the patient instructions for recovery. Follow-up appointments allow the surgeon to assess healing and decide whether further treatment is needed. The day may also include discussion with colleagues about a patient whose care crosses dental and medical specialties. The balance of consultations, operations, urgent cases, and follow-up varies by practice.

What Skills Does a Maxillofacial Surgeon Need?

Steady hands and precise control matter when operating in a small area near nerves, teeth, and other delicate structures. Attention to detail helps the surgeon interpret imaging and carry out a planned procedure while accounting for differences in each patient’s anatomy. The surgeon also needs sound clinical judgment to weigh the likely benefits of surgery against its risks and alternatives.

Communication is essential when explaining a diagnosis, preparing a patient for an operation, or discussing recovery. A surgeon may also need to work closely with other clinicians when treatment spans orthodontics, reconstruction, or hospital care. O*NET’s occupation data identifies hand steadiness and finger dexterity among relevant abilities and describes frequent face-to-face interaction in the work.

How Much Does a Maxillofacial Surgeon Earn?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $360,240 in May 2024 for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The BLS did not publish a median wage for this occupation in that release, so the mean is the available national figure; actual pay varies by location, employment arrangement, and practice. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024

What Is the Career Progression for a Maxillofacial Surgeon?

In the United States, the route typically begins with dental education, followed by an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency and the relevant state licensure. Residency programs differ in length and structure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ dentist career overview says these programs typically take four to six years and may include a joint medical degree. Additional training or professional experience can shape a surgeon’s focus, such as dentoalveolar surgery, jaw correction, trauma, or reconstruction.

With experience, a surgeon may take on a broader or more specialized clinical caseload, work in a hospital or private practice, or contribute to teaching and research. The available opportunities depend on the surgeon’s training and the needs of the practice or institution.

How Contingent Workforce Management Helps Businesses Hire Maxillofacial Surgeons

Contingent workforce management services help businesses administer temporary or project-based workers, including assignment setup, onboarding coordination, time tracking, and payroll administration. A hospital or surgical group may need short-term coverage from a maxillofacial surgeon during a leave or temporary increase in demand, while still completing its own credentialing and clinical privileging processes. If the business has already identified a qualified surgeon, hiring that worker directly and using third-party payrolling can be a lower-cost alternative to a staffing agency.

TCWGlobal helps companies manage contingent workers in this role through payrolling and workforce support. For a defined coverage assignment, those services can handle employment administration and payroll records while the company and its clinical teams manage credentials, privileges, and patient care. This can save money by avoiding staffing-agency markup when the company has sourced the surgeon itself, and reduce administrative work associated with setting up and paying a temporary worker.