Oral Surgeon Vs General Dentist
Patients have a variety of options when seeking dental care. It can be difficult to know which dental professional is best suited to provide treatment. While an oral surgeon and a dentist are similar, knowing the differences can help you make an educated choice for dental care. Please note, most patients will visit a dentist before seeing an oral surgeon.
Education
General dentists and oral surgeons must both complete dental school after obtaining their bachelor’s degree. Dental school typically takes four years to complete and focuses on the following areas: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology and oral surgery. In addition to dental school, dental students will also complete a clinical practicum where they receive hands-on training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental issues. After completing dental school and earning either the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, a general dentist must complete a licensure exam in order to practice.
Oral surgeons (also known as oral and maxillofacial surgeons) complete an additional four to six years of surgical residency. To ensure the resident receives proper training in oral pathology, anesthesia and oral surgery, the program must be accepted by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Following the completion of a surgical residency, the oral surgeon will complete a board certification exam.
Do I Need a Dentist or Oral Surgeon?
In order to avoid serious dental issues, everyone should visit their dentist every six months for a preventative cleaning and exam. To determine if a patient needs to seek treatment from a dentist or oral surgeon, it is helpful to better understand what oral surgeons do.
Dentists will typically refer their patients to an oral surgeon when the necessary dental work is outside their scope of work. Oral surgeons specialize in dental implants, jaw joint disorders, facial pain, and oral surgery such as the removal of wisdom teeth.
Other procedures performed by oral surgeons include:
- Reconstructive surgery
- Simple and complex tooth extractions
- Soft tissue biopsy, repair and removal
- Jaw or implant alignment
- Removal of tumors
What Do General Dentists Do?
While general dentists are qualified to perform some oral surgeries, general dentistry most commonly includes the following:
- Teeth cleaning
- Basic dental exams and X-rays
- Gum care
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Sealants
- Root canals
- Bridges
- Dental implants
What to Expect from Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is usually completed in one day and uses a local anesthetic. When visiting the dentist or oral surgeon, it is helpful to ask questions, understand the procedures and follow the dental professional’s recommendations. Oral hygiene is critical before and after surgery.
Our Practice
Whether you are looking for a dentist or an oral surgeon, we can help. Our professional team is patient, friendly and well trained. When you come in for an appointment, our goal is to ensure that our patients are comfortable and fully understand the procedure taking place. Our waiting area is clean, comfortable and spacious to ensure you are at ease.
Call us today to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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