Oral Surgeon vs. Dentist: Key Differences
Many people think dentists and oral surgeons do the same job. Well, that’s not the case. A general dentist focuses on general dentistry, including routine dental care, preventive care, routine check-ups, and basic treatments for your oral health. This may include cleanings, cavity fillings, exams, root canals, and simple tooth extractions. A regular dentist may refer a patient to an oral surgeon when treatment needs go beyond routine care and requires surgical intervention or other specialized care outside their practice.
For instance, a dentist may refer a patient to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal and complex extractions, especially when impacted wisdom teeth make the case more complex. So, an oral surgeon will provide health services, diagnoses, and treatments that are beyond a dentist’s scope of work.
The Dentist
A general dentist will complete four years of undergraduate school. After that, they attend dental school, and the required years of dental school for routine care equal four years only, not a surgical residency unless they later pursue a specialty. Next, they will get a DDS, i.e., Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, or they may receive a DMD, i.e., Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, which qualifies them to practice general dentistry rather than surgery.
Dentist’s Portfolio
Dentists mostly practice in a private clinic, or they may join a group office or hospital. Their work centers on general dentistry and routine dental care. A dentist will take great care of your teeth, gums, and mouth.
A dentist will provide routine check-ups, preventive care, and treatment planning for everyday oral health needs. They also evaluate treatment needs and decide when more advanced cases should be referred.
A dentist will:
- Do a routine dental check-up
- Perform diagnosis on teeth, gums, and mouth-related issues
- Suggest remedial medication
- Perform teeth fillings and apply sealants
- Execute root canals, depending on the patient’s health
- Suggest or advise dental crowns, bridges, etc.
- Perform simple tooth extractions, while referring complex tooth extractions when needed
- Use X-rays to determine oral health and proceed with treatment accordingly
- Devise a patient’s treatment plan in a methodical manner
- Also, educate patients to ensure preventive care
These are common procedures for a dentist, but when a case becomes more severe, a dental professional may refer the patient for specialized oral and maxillofacial procedures.
An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
An oral surgeon is a specialist who completes the four-year undergraduate program. They also get the same degrees, a DDS and DMD. After dental school, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon completes a 4-6 year residency program, or surgical residency, typically in a hospital setting, with 4-6 years of additional training focused on oral surgery and 4-6 years of additional surgical training. This advanced training and specialized training in oral and maxillofacial care is what sets oral surgeons apart, building the advanced skills needed for complex procedures and the standards associated with board-certified oral specialists like Dr. Shawn B. Davis.
An oral surgeon is also referred to as a maxillofacial surgeon, or more fully an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and the specialty is called oral and maxillofacial surgery, a branch of maxillofacial surgery.
Oral Surgeon’s Responsibilities: Dental Implants and More
A dentist will refer a patient to an oral surgeon for complex procedures and surgical care beyond general dentistry involving the teeth, mouth, jaw, and gums, such as those offered at oral surgery centers in St. George, Utah.
They often treat accident patients and cancer patients, including cases involving facial trauma and jaw problems that call for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, such as those serving patients in Mesquite, Nevada, and surrounding areas. In some cases, they may also work with medical professionals as a team.
In addition to what a dentist can do, an oral surgeon will:
- Perform procedures such as complex tooth extractions, often when a case requires surgical intervention, including impacted wisdom teeth
- Align and handle dental implant placement, bone grafting, or sinus lifts first when tooth loss has reduced bone support
- Use advanced technology and specialized equipment with advanced surgical techniques, including computer-guided implant placement
- Remove cysts and soft tissues
- Take out an oral tumor
- Do reconstruction of damaged teeth, and severe periodontal disease can sometimes need specialized care and surgical treatment
- Repair jawbones, jawline, and jaw alignment through jaw surgery, including orthognathic surgery, for complex issues
- Administer IV sedation or general anesthesia to support patient comfort during surgical procedures
These are advanced surgical responsibilities, and oral surgeons are trained in anesthesia and perform complex procedures that go beyond routine dental care, including removing wisdom teeth and treating conditions that need a higher level of expertise, like those provided by oral surgeons in St. George and Mesquite.
Conclusion
It may be difficult for you to decide to either go to a dentist or oral surgeon for your dental issues, but understanding your treatment needs can help you make informed decisions about whether you need routine care or specialized care. Nonetheless, the best situation will be to visit a general dentist or regular dentist first, and if the condition requires surgical intervention, they may refer you to an experienced oral surgeon for implants and wisdom teeth removal.