Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
zygomatic implant
A long dental implant anchored in the zygomatic bone for patients with severe maxillary bone loss.
alveolar ridge
The bony ridge in the jaw that contains or previously contained tooth sockets.
alveoloplasty
Surgical recontouring of the alveolar ridge after tooth extraction.
ankylosis
Abnormal fusion or immobility of a joint, particularly affecting the temporomandibular joint.
apicoectomy
Surgical removal of the root tip and surrounding infected tissue.
bicoronal incision
Surgical approach through a scalp incision extending from ear to ear across the crown of the head.
bimaxillary protrusion
Condition where both upper and lower jaws project forward beyond normal facial proportions.
blepharoplasty
Surgical procedure to correct drooping eyelids or remove excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper or lower eyelids.
blow-out fracture
Orbital fracture involving the floor or medial wall with intact orbital rim.
BSSO
Surgical procedure that divides the mandible bilaterally to reposition the lower jaw for correction of dentofacial defor...
buccal fat pad
Specialized fat compartment in the cheek used for reconstructive procedures.
Caldwell-Luc procedure
Surgical approach to the maxillary sinus through the canine fossa, creating a large antrostomy for drainage and access.
canthopexy
Surgical procedure to tighten or reposition the lateral canthal tendon to correct eyelid malposition.
CBCT
Three-dimensional imaging technique used for surgical planning and diagnosis.
cephalometric analysis
Standardized radiographic assessment of craniofacial skeletal and soft tissue relationships used in surgical planning.
cleidocranial dysplasia
A rare genetic disorder affecting bone and tooth development, characterized by delayed closure of cranial sutures and ab...
commissuroplasty
Surgical reconstruction or widening of the oral commissures to improve mouth opening or correct microstomia.
condylar hyperplasia
Excessive growth of the mandibular condyle causing facial asymmetry and malocclusion.
coronectomy
Surgical technique involving removal of the crown portion of an impacted tooth while leaving the roots in situ.
coronoidectomy
Surgical removal of the coronoid process of the mandible to improve mouth opening.
dehiscence
Wound breakdown or separation of previously closed surgical margins.
distraction osteogenesis
Surgical technique using gradual mechanical separation of bone segments to stimulate new bone formation.
ectropion
Outward turning of the eyelid margin that may occur following midface trauma or surgical procedures.
enophthalmos
Posterior displacement or sunken appearance of the eye within the orbit.
enucleation
Surgical removal of a cystic lesion along with its intact epithelial lining from surrounding bone or soft tissue.