Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is a recognized specialty of the dental profession, encompassing the surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and deformities involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the head, face, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and neck.

     Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons care for patients who experience such conditions as problem wisdom teeth, facial pain, and misaligned jaws. Their training includes a minimum of a four-year graduate degree in dentistry (DDS or DMD) and the completion of a 4 - 7 year hospital surgical residency program. A new breed of surgeons, such as Dr. Hardeman, have furthered their training by completing their medical degree (MD) and have advanced training in surgery or acute care medicine. Dr. Hardeman is dually licensed in the state of Florida with both his dental and medical degrees.

     As with most specialties in dentistry and medicine some doctors prefer to focus their scope of practice. Although Dr. Hardeman enjoys all aspects of his specialty, he receives great satisfaction in treating patients who have lost bone and/or teeth due to traumatic accidents or pathology. This reconstruction of the oral cavity is an area of keen interest for Dr. Hardeman.

     "Seeing a patient who has been injured is a terrible thing. But, being able to help these people regain their ability to function and face life again by reconstructing their jaws and smile is truly rewarding."

John H. Hardeman DDS, MD