Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the branch of surgery that treats the mouth, the jaws and the structures of the face. It sits between dentistry and surgery, and it covers problems that reach beyond a routine dental visit — a tooth buried in the bone, a jaw that meets unevenly, a growth that is best removed, or an injury to the facial skeleton. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, this work is carried out by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and the starting point is always a careful assessment. Some of what reaches this service is treated with surgery. A good deal of it is managed with simpler measures, and the assessment is what tells the two apart.
What it treats
The range is wider than most people expect, and it overlaps with several other parts of the hospital.
- Complex or impacted tooth extractions — teeth that sit broken below the gum, deeply buried, or wrapped around a nerve, which are best removed in a surgical setting rather than an ordinary dental chair
- Jaw problems and misalignment — a bite that closes unevenly, a jaw that has grown out of balance, or joint pain and locking that calls for more than simple care
- Cysts and lesions of the jaw — fluid-filled sacs or growths in the jawbone, many of them harmless, that are best examined and, where needed, removed
- Facial injuries — fractures of the jaw, cheekbone or eye socket, and wounds involving the mouth and face
- Biopsies — taking a small sample of a mouth ulcer, lump or patch that lingers, so it can be looked at properly
Many of these are managed with simpler measures. A jaw click may settle with reassurance and a night guard. A small cyst may be watched over time. The purpose of the assessment is to identify what genuinely benefits from surgery and to recommend it only when it is the best route for you.
What happens
The first step is a careful assessment. The surgeon examines your mouth and face, takes your history, and usually arranges imaging — a dental X-ray, a panoramic view of both jaws, or a scan that shows the bone and nerves in three dimensions. This tells the surgeon exactly what is there and how close it lies to nerves, sinuses and roots, which is what shapes a clear and safe plan.
Where surgery is agreed, it is carried out under local anaesthetic for smaller procedures, or under general anaesthetic for larger or longer ones. Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah has its own anaesthesia team, which means procedures needing general anaesthesia are handled here, and the anaesthetist will discuss which option is safest for you. Your surgeon will explain what the operation involves, why it has been chosen over the alternatives, and roughly how long you may stay.
Preparing for it
Once a procedure is planned, your team will tell you what to do beforehand. This usually means confirming which medicines to continue or pause — blood thinners in particular — and whether to fast before an anaesthetic. Share all your health conditions, allergies and past operations with your surgeon, as these shape how the surgery and recovery are handled. If you are having a general anaesthetic, arrange for someone to take you home and help you for the first day or two. Preparation is also the time to ask questions: what the alternatives are, how the procedure will feel, and what to expect as you heal.
Afterwards
Recovery reflects what was done, so your surgeon will give you instructions and a timeline shaped to your own case. In most instances you can expect some swelling, mild discomfort and, after work in the mouth, gentle care with eating for a while. Rest, follow the advice on cleaning and diet, and keep the area undisturbed so it heals well.
Some signs are worth a prompt call. Contact the hospital straight away if you develop heavy bleeding, spreading facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a fever, unexpected numbness, or pain that steadily grows rather than easing. These are uncommon, and acting early lets the team look after you quickly.
How the decision to operate is made
Surgery is one option among several, and it is chosen when it is genuinely the best route. Many jaw and facial problems are managed with simpler measures, and some are safely watched over time. The decision to operate follows a full assessment, and the surgeon talks through every option with you — including watchful monitoring — before anything is agreed. Every operation also carries risk, including bleeding, infection, reaction to anaesthetic, and, near certain nerves, altered sensation that is usually temporary and occasionally lasting. Your surgeon sets out clearly what a procedure achieves and where its limits lie, so you choose with a full picture. The result is a plan built around what suits you, explained in plain terms and agreed together.
Cost and insurance
Surgical procedures of the jaws and face usually call for pre-approval from your insurer, and dental cover in the UAE varies in what it includes for surgical work. What is covered can depend on whether the treatment is judged medical or dental, so it helps to check early rather than close to the date. Ask for a written treatment plan before anything extensive is booked, and confirm exactly what your policy includes with Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
A dentist handles everyday care such as fillings, cleaning and simple extractions. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats more complex problems of the mouth, jaws and face, including buried teeth, jaw conditions, cysts and facial injuries, often under anaesthetic.
Does a jaw or facial problem always need surgery?
Many jaw and facial problems are managed with simpler measures, and some are safely watched over time. The surgeon recommends surgery only after a full assessment shows it is the best route, and explains every option, including watchful monitoring, before anything is agreed.
What if my problem turns out to be minor?
Plenty of what reaches this service is handled with simpler measures — reassurance, a night guard for a clicking jaw, or watching a small cyst over time. The assessment sorts what benefits from surgery from what is better managed another way, and the surgeon recommends the gentlest route that solves the problem.
Will my procedure be done under general anaesthetic?
It depends on what is being done. Smaller procedures are usually carried out under local anaesthetic, while larger or longer ones may call for a general anaesthetic. Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah has its own anaesthesia team, and the anaesthetist will advise which is safest for you.
Why do I need a scan before surgery?
Imaging shows the surgeon exactly where teeth, roots, nerves and sinuses lie before any procedure. This allows a plan to be made safely and keeps surprises to a minimum during surgery, particularly when a tooth or growth sits close to a nerve.
What is a jaw cyst, and does it need removing?
A jaw cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the jawbone, and many are harmless. Some are watched over time while others are best removed, depending on their type, size and behaviour. The assessment determines which route suits you, and the surgeon explains the plan clearly.
What are the risks of oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Every operation carries some risk, including bleeding, infection, reaction to anaesthetic, and, near certain nerves, altered sensation that is usually temporary and occasionally lasting. The surgeon sets these out plainly alongside what the procedure achieves, so you weigh the choice with a full picture before agreeing.
How long will my recovery take?
Recovery reflects what was done, so your surgeon gives you a timeline shaped to your own case rather than a general one. Most people can expect some swelling, mild discomfort and gentle care with eating for a while, and the team guides you through each stage of healing.
When should I call after a procedure?
Contact the hospital straight away if you have heavy bleeding, spreading facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a fever, unexpected numbness, or pain that steadily grows rather than easing. These are uncommon, and acting early lets the team look after you quickly.
Can facial injuries be treated here?
Fractures of the jaw, cheekbone or eye socket, and wounds involving the mouth and face, all fall within oral and maxillofacial surgery. After assessment and imaging, the surgeon explains whether the injury benefits from an operation or is better managed another way, and agrees the plan with you.
Is oral and maxillofacial surgery covered by insurance?
Surgical work on the jaws and face usually calls for pre-approval, and dental cover in the UAE varies in what it includes for surgery. Coverage can hinge on whether the treatment is judged medical or dental, so confirm the details with the hospital before booking.
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