While dentists are primary care physicians responsible for maintaining a patient's oral health along with simple treatments, oral surgeons perform evaluations and procedures for specific and complex problems and surgeries. Oral surgeons, also known as maxillofacial surgeons, focus on performing surgery to treat problems in the mouth, jaw, or face. Oral surgeons can perform tooth extractions, including removing wisdom teeth. They also deal with more complex surgeries, such as soft tissue biopsies, tumor removal, jaw realignment, implant placement, soft tissue repair, and reconstructive surgery after an accident.
Oral surgeons focus solely on dental surgery and are often referred to as oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Some common surgeries performed are wisdom tooth extraction, temporomandibular joint corrections, reconstruction of defects or injuries, extraction of oral cancer masses, and dental implants. Oral surgeons complete a surgical residency after dental school, and some even earn a medical degree along with their dental degree. While dentists are perfectly capable of performing simple extractions and basic dental care, it may be best to consult an oral surgeon for any type of surgical procedure.
This ensures that you receive the best care for your specific surgery and minimal recovery time. The residency program must be accepted by the Dental Accreditation Commission, ensuring that each resident receives training in oral pathology, anesthesia, oral surgery, and other areas needed to practice proficiently. You go to the dentist to clean your teeth, fill cavities, get X-rays and receive other treatments, such as crowns, bridges and dentures. At the general dentist's office, you'll receive a dental cleaning, x-rays, and a thorough evaluation for dental problems.
General dentists usually care for gums, dental fillings, root canals, veneers, bridges, and crowns. Dental students also complete clinical practice experiences and gain hands-on training on how to diagnose and treat dental problems. We would love to provide you with any additional information or details you want to know about why you should see a dental specialist. Fortunately, your dentist will be able to recommend an oral surgeon to you frequently in the same office if needed.
A dentist is qualified, based on their studies, to practice the treatment of diseases and conditions that affect oral health. Both oral surgeons and dentists attend the same four years of dental school and earn a doctorate in dental surgery or a doctorate in dental medicine. Both general dentists and oral surgeons must complete dental school after receiving a bachelor's degree. Most people who visit an oral surgeon do so based on a dentist's recommendation, so this is completely normal.
Visit your dentist for regular cleanings or when you feel pain from teeth, chipped teeth, or cavities. At this point, general dentists take the bachelor's degree exam and can begin practicing after passing and obtaining their license. Whether someone wants to be a dentist or an oral surgeon, their training and education start the same way. In the case of a simple tooth extraction or the placement of an implant, you may have the option of seeing the dentist or an oral surgeon.
This means that while most people go to a regular dentist, they don't necessarily have an oral surgeon. .
