When you have to undergo an important dental procedure for your teeth, mouth or gums, it’s important that you choose the correct oral professional to administer your treatment. While an oral surgeon and a dentist perform similar tasks, there are quite a few key differences that you should know to better help select the proper specialist for the job and your specific needs.
What Is a Dentist?
Typically, a dentist will complete their undergraduate studies, then attend dental school for four to five years. Once dental school is completed the graduate will usually have a Doctor of Dental Medicine or DMD, but they could also be presented with a Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS depending on their area of study. After their schooling, most dentists go right into their professional field rather than go back to school for additional training.
These types of dentists’ handle things like root canals, crowns, fillings, veneers and setting dental bridges. They may also handle basic surgical treatments such as the removal of an oral abscess and simple tooth extractions.
What Is an Oral Surgeon?
Oral surgeons focus only on dental surgeries and are often called maxillofacial surgeons. Some of the common surgeries that they handle are:
- Wisdom teeth removal
- TMJ corrections
- Oral and facial birth defect corrections
- Injury reconstructions
- Removal of oral cancer masses
- Dental implant installations
