Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which dental specialist performs surgery on the jaws and mouth?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Dentistry — dentistry The practice of dentistry involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, as well as correcting deformities of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.

The dental specialist who performs surgery on the jaws and mouth is known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.12

This dental specialty focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the mouth, jaw, and associated structures. Common procedures performed by these specialists include tooth extractions, the removal of impacted teeth, and the treatment of cysts, tumors, and infections. They also manage more complex conditions, such as facial injuries, cleft lip, cleft palate, and the placement of dental implants.12