Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Greater Grand Rapids

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We are very happy to introduce our specialty practice to you. If you are considering surgery, rest assured that we will do everything to make your experience as pleasant as possible. Dr.VanHoose and staff are dedicated to provide a warm and pleasant attitude throughout your oral surgical treatment.

What is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?
"Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region."

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
The training of contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgeons has changed dramatically in response to medical and dental healthcare advancements. The training begins after completion of dental school. Only the most qualified candidates are accepted into oral and maxillofacial surgical residencies. Completion of an residency requires 4-6 years of hospital based training focusing solely on the maxillofacial region. It includes extensive training in intra-oral surgery as well as maxillofacial surgery. It also includes medical training and rotations such as anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, trauma surgery, pediatric surgery, and cosmetic surgery. OMFS residents also receive training in the administration of out patient anesthesia and are required to administer thousands of anesthetics during their residency training.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a surgical specialty which involves both dental and medical surgical treatments, it diagnoses and treats diseases, deformities, injuries and cosmetic defects of the facial and oral region. Oral Surgeons are considered the "orthopedic and plastic and reconstructive surgeons of the Maxillofacial region" (the upper jaw, cheek bones, the bones that support & surround the eyes, lower jaw, chin, jaw joints, associated facial structures, and the intra-oral structures including teeth and their supporting bone and gum tissues, salivary glands, and lining tissues of the mouth.)

Many of the procedures performed are in an office ambulatory surgical setting. These procedures include the removal of teeth, management of oral and facial pathology, surgical aspects of dental implants, regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues around teeth and implants.

The remainder of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures are performed in the hospital. These procedures include corrective jaw surgery to treat jaw growth problems which can affect both the function and appearance of the oral and facial area, temporomadibular joint (TMJ) surgery, treatment of complicated facial injuries and fractures, reconstruction of jaw or facial regions resulting from trauma or pathology, management of craniofacial and cleft lip and palate deformities, and treatment of tumors of the jaw and face.

Dr. VanHoose has extensive hospital based training in the delivery of inpatient and outpatient general anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Our staff is trained in assisting with surgery and anesthesia under the guidelines of the AAOMS within our state of the art office setting. Patients are continuously monitored during and after surgery.

Dr. VanHoose is a member in good standing with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Michigan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is the largest professional society representing oral and maxillofacial surgeons in America. The mission of AAOMS is to contribute to the public welfare by advancing the profession of dentistry and in particular the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.