Derek T. Dunlap, DMD

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Derek T. Dunlap is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon in Duncan, SC with special training and skill in treating problems related to the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaws (the upper jaw is called the maxilla). As an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Derek T. Dunlap, DMD performs exams, diagnostic tests, then dental surgery. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons include erupted wisdom teeth, facial injury, obstructive sleep apnea, head, neck, and oral cancer, cleft lip/palate, cranial deformity, misaligned jaws and teeth, as well as temporomandibular joint disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons include dental implant surgery, wisdom teeth management, treatment of facial injury trauma, facial cosmetic surgery, treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, head, neck, and oral cancer treatment, dental and soft tissue surgery, corrective cleft lip/ palate, jaw, and craniofacial surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to recognize and treat a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. They are also trained to administer anesthesia, and provide care in an office setting. They are trained to treat problems such as the extraction of wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors and cysts of the jaw and mouth, and to perform dental implant surgery.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist

The specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral and maxillofacial pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.