Dentist or Oral Surgeon: When to Visit
Each?
Patients
have many options in dental providers, and the decision of which type of dental
professional is best for your current needs can be tricky. Understanding the differences between general
dentists and oral surgeons can help you make an informed choice for dental
care. Depending on your needs or the needs of your family, you may need to see
both a dentist and an oral surgeon.
General Dentist
A
dentist (DDS degree, Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD degree, Doctor of Dental
Medicine) has completed 4-5 years of higher education and can diagnose and
treat conditions and diseases of the mouth, as well as perform minor surgical
procedures such as simple incisions and extractions.
General Dentistry Clinical Practice
General
dentists are primary care providers for dental medicine. They diagnose, manage,
and treat your overall oral health,
and often make recommendations for how to prevent common dental problems.
Dentist offices provide teeth cleaning, X-rays, and a comprehensive screening
for dental problems. They also provide dental fillings, veneers, bridges,
crowns, and gum care. Although a general dentist may perform simple tooth
extractions, more complex surgeries may be outside of the scope of a general
dentist’s competence.
Oral Surgeon
An
oral surgeon also has a DDS or DMD degree, but must complete 4 to 8 years of
additional training, such as a surgical residency, after dental school. Oral
surgeons sometimes complete an additional medical degree.
Oral Surgery Clinical Practice
An
oral surgeon is the oral health care provider who performs surgical procedures
in and about the entire face, mouth,
and jaw area. A general dentist will often refer a patient to an oral surgeon
when a problem is beyond the scope of the dentist’s expertise. An oral surgeon
may perform dental implants, simple tooth extractions, complex extractions
(removal of soft tissue, bone or roots), wisdom teeth
removal, soft tissue biopsies, removal of oral cavity tumors, complex jaw
realignment surgeries, reconstructive dental surgery, fractured jaw bone or
cheek repair, and cleft palate
repair surgery.
Understanding
the difference between a general dentist and an oral surgeon can save you time
when making the right decision for dental care. Remember to bring along an
updated medical history. Explain any recent health issues, even if they seem
unrelated to your mouth’s health. A healthy smile is the gateway to good
health, but it is also a way to feel more confident. Call us today for
questions about your smile.
