What is the Difference between an Oral Surgeon and a Dentist?
If you need a dental procedure that may require more extensive work, it may qualify as an oral surgery cary north carolina. But does an oral surgery necessarily require an oral surgeon? The answer to this question is constantly changing, especially as technology has improved and has made it easier to perform more complicated oral procedures in a regular dentist office. But there are some important differences between a dentist and an oral surgeon that you should be familiar with before scheduling your oral surgery.
Training to be an Oral Surgeon
One of the biggest differences between a dentist and an oral surgeon is the amount of training. Oral surgeons spend an extra four to eight years in dental school to be trained in the surgery specialty. This additional commitment to their training helps them become experts in surgical practice and a wide array of dental procedures. In addition to additional years of education, you should seek out or get a referral for an oral surgeon who has experience in performing the procedure that you need. In general, oral surgeons have training and develop expertise in dental implants, jaw joint issues, facial pain, and wisdom teeth extraction.
Dental Referrals
If your dentist determines a surgical procedure is needed to treat your tooth or teeth and it is not a procedure they normally perform in their office, they will usually refer you to an oral surgeon that have worked with before. The procedures performed in a regular dentist office vary from dentist to dentist. A general dentist usually performs any of the following procedures:
- Routine dental exams and X-rays
- Fillings and sealants to treat cavities
- Artificial crowns and bridges to replace missing teeth
- Root canals to treat damaged and decayed teeth
- Gum care to prevent and treat gingivitis
The more complex procedures that many dentist do not routinely perform and will refer patients to an oral surgeon include any of the following:
- Simple tooth extractions
- More complex tooth removals that include working with the bone
- Removing teeth that are impacted under the tissue
- Dental implants and implant alignment
- Oral cancer treatments including the removal of tumors
What to Expect from Oral Surgery
Most oral surgeries are performed in one day in just a few hours. Prior to the surgery, the surgeon will run you through the procedure step by step, so you know what to expect. Once they are ready they will give you a local numbing agent or a more general anesthetic if it is a more in-depth procedure and is necessary. After the surgery is over, the nurse or surgeon will make sure you are recovering well and run you through your post-operative instructions. These instructions usually involve a specific diet for a few days to avoid tough, hard and chewy foods and to stick to soft foods like soups and smoothies. The recovery for most dental procedures is just a few days, and then you will be back to feeling your best with a new enhanced and healthy smile.
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