The word Maxillo-Facial refers to the jaws and face and a maxillo-facial specialist is a doctor whose expertise encompasses the art and science of diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries, defects, and aesthetic aspects of the oral and maxilla facial area. The maxillo-facial area includes the skull, orbits, nose, upper and lower jaws and the surrounding soft tissue structures. During residency the maxillo-facial specialist receives graduate training in such disciplines as general and plastic surgery, medicine, anaesthesia and pathology, and he is further trained to treat patients in the hospital, outpatient facilities, surgery centers, and private offices. To stay current with the latest advances in the field, the maxillo-facial specialist must regularly attend national meetings, seminars, lectures, special courses and symposiums. To be board certified, the maxillo-facial specialist must complete an intensive application and examination process and must provide evidence of educational and training qualifications as well as evidence of experience in all aspects of the specialty. A comprehensive written and oral examination must be completed. Services provided by maxillo-facial specialists include management of facial trauma; correction of dentofacial and cranial facial deformities; tooth extraction; management of pathologic conditions of the face and jaws; reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery; pre-prosthetic surgery including jaw implants; treatment of facial and jaw pain; as well as disorders of the tempo mandibular joint, otherwise known as TMJ. In the repair of facial fractures and lacerations, surgical correction of cleft lip and cleft palate, removal of impacted wisdom teeth, treatment of oral cancer, placement of dental implants, correction of jaw deformities or cosmetic facial reconstruction, the maxillo-facial specialist is uniquely trained and qualified. Dr. Mark A. Piper has earned dual medical degrees in both medicine and dentistry. He is certified both in oral and maxilla facial surgery. Please don't hesitate to call on his professional staff if you have additional questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment for evaluation.