AAOMS News

April is National Facial Protection Month

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Every April, healthcare organizations unite to raise awareness of National Facial Protection Month – the campaign that encourages the use of safety equipment to prevent sports-related injuries to the head and face. Founded by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and with the support and collaboration of the Academy… Read more »

JOMS study: Penicillin allergy testing encouraged to reduce infection risk in oral surgery patients

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Unsubstantiated, patient-reported penicillin allergies are a risk factor for surgical site infections (SSIs) after oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS), according to a new study. The study published in the January issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) –… Read more »

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery announces new editor

The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) – the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) – has named Thomas B. Dodson, DMD, MPH, FACS, as its new Editor-in-Chief, effective Jan. 1. Dodson – Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Washington School… Read more »

JOMS Simply Put: Mandibular Fractures

When a bone breaks or cracks, the injury is called a fracture (FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2). Lower jaw (mandibular) fractures are the third most common type of facial fractures, after fractures of the nose and cheekbone. Mandibular fractures can be caused by many different types of injuries to the lower face. These include: An accidental… Read more »

Association hosts anesthesia simulation program for first time at its new education center

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) held sessions of its National Simulation Program to enhance anesthesia safety for the first time at its new OMS Institute for Education and Innovation in Rosemont, Ill. Thirty oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) practiced critical techniques for administering and monitoring office-based anesthesia in… Read more »

JOMS Simply Put: Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a long-lasting facial pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve responsible for sensation in your face. If you have TN, even mild stimulation of your face may cause severe and excruciating pain. Patients may initially experience short and mild attacks. But this pain disorder can progress and cause… Read more »

Simply Put: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull along each side of your head. When they work well, they enable you to talk and chew. The TMJ combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by… Read more »

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons honored for accomplishments in research, education, other areas

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) honored more than 30 award recipients for their accomplishments in education, research, advocacy and humanitarianism at the association’s 2021 Annual Meeting, Scientific Sessions and Exhibition in Nashville, Tenn.  The awards presentation was held during the Opening Ceremony of the 103rd AAOMS Annual Meeting… Read more »

Simply Put: Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Facial cosmetic surgery continues to grow in popularity. It focuses on improving our facial appearance. Many patients seek treatment to reverse changes that occur with aging, such as loose skin, decreased tissue volume around the face and neck, fine lines, sagging jowls, and double chin. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialized in performing a variety… Read more »

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Changing Lives

8-year-old’s jaw reconstructed after hit by stray bullet

WEST PALM BEACH — The call from the police officer gave Synthia Williams the shock of her lifetime. Her 8-year-old daughter had been shot in the face. Lilah Williams-Sjosten and her sister were celebrating their friend’s birthday with a weekend trip to SeaWorld on March 10. Before driving to Orlando, their friend’s mother parked her… Read more »

Oral Surgeon and Staff Use CPR and an AED to Save Accountant’s Life

In the normal course of his workday, Dr. Joseph Howard improves people’s lives, but he doesn’t typically have to employ life-saving measures. That changed on Feb. 2. An oral surgeon and owner of Central Connecticut Oral Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, Howard and several members of his team leaped to the rescue when a member of… Read more »

OMS helps woman with dwarfism condition

EL PASO, Texas – Dr. Vernon Burke has been presented a National Humanitarianism Award by The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) for the care he has provided to children and others from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez with facial deformities. Burke works at High Desert Oral and Facial Surgery in El Paso… Read more »

OMS helps patient with severe dog bite on the nose

Anyone who has ever known the unconditional love of a pet knows every pet has its own personality and set of emotions. For example, dog owners can see happiness in their pets’ eyes – and tails! Some dogs give off clues that say, “Leave me alone right now,” while others may convey, “I’m sleepy, don’t… Read more »

OMS provides free procedure for cancer patient

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) – When one Dexter woman was in desperate need of a surgery, she kept getting turned away by doctors. But one local oral surgeon not only took her in, he decided to do the procedure for free. It’s finally the day Dorothy Gagnon has been waiting for. She has head and neck… Read more »

AAOMS fellow works on world’s first face and hands transplant

It’s been more than two years since Joe Dimeo could smile. In July 2018, Dimeo, 20 at the time, fell asleep at the wheel of his car on Route 22 in New Jersey. He lost control, and the car hit the curb, flipping over before bursting into flames. A passerby pulled him out of the… Read more »

COVID-19 patient treated for macroglossia

HOUSTON — This story is something you have to see to believe. A man in Florida was critically ill with COVID-19. When he regained consciousness, his tongue was so swollen he couldn’t close his mouth. Editor’s note: We need to warn you – some people may find the images in this story disturbing. Anthony Jones… Read more »

OMS removes large facial tumor

HOUSTON, Texas — A man is thrilled to have found a surgeon in Houston to remove a large tumor from his jaw. It was a painful and emotionally difficult experience, until he met the right doctor. Chris Stovah’s wife first spotted his swollen jaw when they were living in their home country of Nigeria about five years… Read more »

OMS performs surgery on NFL ref

KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Terry Brown has lived a fast-paced life with football at the very core. A Tennessee Vol in the 1980s, he spent time in the NFL as a player and is entering year No. 15 as an official. He still roams the field, just in black and white stripes with a yellow flag… Read more »

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