Not Every Dentist Is an Oral Surgeon

Feb 1, 2018
oral surgery

It may come as a surprise to find out that not every dentist can offer surgical services because not every dentist is an oral surgeon. Oral surgery is different than other oral care. It requires specialty knowledge of surgical procedures. The best way to ensure that your dentist group can provide you with all the necessary potential services that you need is to look for a group that has a surgeon on staff. An oral surgeon is a specialist that treats a full range of diseases and issues but not every dentist has this very specialized training. To be a surgeon in dentistry you have to go beyond the normal formal education criteria to be certified.

The Difference

The main difference between a general practitioner and a surgical specialist dentist is the amount of training and education that they have. A surgeon has had more years of training and has had more specialty experience in the field of dentistry. They are trained in areas that a general dentist is not trained in. They can provide you with the type of care that you cannot get from other dental professionals. For some procedures it is absolutely necessary that you have a highly skilled certified surgeon perform the procedure.

What Can a Surgeon Do?

There are several things that are delegated to the expertise of a surgeon that a general dentist cannot do

  • Impacted extractions
  • Implants
  • Periodontal procedures

Impacted extractions can be difficult for a general dentist to handle. They can be very difficult to navigate and require the expertise of a surgeon that has the experience to remove the tooth without causing damage to the jawbone. Implants also require specialized expertise that a general practitioner may or may not have. Periodontal disease (gum disease) can also require the expertise of a specialist.

There may be instances where you dentist cannot handle your issue and they will have to send you to see a specialist. If you can get services from a group that already has these highly trained specialist on site it can save you time and suffering. The best way to make sure you are getting the highest level of care is to utilize the services of a comprehensive provider that has the expertise to handle all of your dental needs.

Call today to make an appointment and take advantage of all of the comprehensive services that are offered!

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