You might be wondering if it's better to see a general dentist or an oral surgeon if you have concerns about your oral health. Despite a lot of similarities in both terms, there are distinct distinctions between them.
Have you ever wondered who oral surgeons are and what they do? Oral surgeons are dental professionals who perform surgical procedures on the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face.
They are trained experts in diagnosing and treating various oral health issues through surgery. Let us know more about oral surgeons and what they do.
What Is an Oral Surgeon?
An oral surgeon is a dentist who has completed additional years of training in a hospital-based residency program. This program focuses on surgical procedures involving the mouth, teeth, jaws, and surrounding areas.
Oral surgeons are experts at performing complex surgical procedures that regular dentists are not trained to handle.
What Do Oral Surgeons Do?
Oral surgeons perform a wide range of surgical procedures related to the mouth and face. Some of the common procedures performed by an oral surgeon include:
Wisdom Teeth Removal: One of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons is the removal of wisdom teeth, also known as third molars. Wisdom teeth often need to be removed if they are impacted, causing pain or other dental issues.
Dental Implant Surgery: Oral surgeons are skilled in placing dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots used to support replacement teeth. This procedure involves surgically placing the implant into the jawbone.
Corrective Jaw Surgery: Oral surgeons can perform corrective jaw surgery to treat conditions like misaligned jaws, facial injuries, or jaw-related birth defects. This surgery can improve the function and appearance of the jaws and face.
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: Oral surgeons play a crucial role in treating cleft lip and cleft palate, which are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. They perform surgeries to correct these conditions.
Facial Trauma Surgery: In cases of facial injuries or trauma, an oral surgeon can perform reconstructive surgery to repair the affected areas, such as the jawbone, cheekbones, or eye sockets.
Oral Pathology: Oral surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat various oral pathologies, such as cysts, tumors, or other abnormal growths in the mouth or jaw area. They can perform biopsies and surgical removals for these conditions.
If you require any surgical procedure related to your mouth, teeth, jaws, or face, it's essential to consult an oral surgeon. Dentists can do routine examinations, but for more involved operations like bridges or implants, it is best to see an oral surgeon. Furthermore, a dentist can recommend a surgeon to you for more complex treatments.