You might have been doing some reading, or talking to friends, and heard people talking about oral surgeons. You might be wondering what the difference is between an oral surgeon and a dentist.
Maybe your child needs dental treatment and you want to make sure they get the best possible care.
We want to take the time to clear this up for you so you understand the key difference between the two.
What Does An Oral Surgeon Do?
An oral surgeon, also known as a maxillofacial surgeon, is someone who specialises in surgery of the mouth, face, and jaws. This is a medical speciality of dentistry and requires additional education and training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
An oral surgeon is someone who can provide services beyond that of a dentist. This includes procedures such as the removal of impacted teeth, difficult surgeries, bone grafting, and more.
- A dentist will often refer a patient to an oral surgeon when the work required falls outside the scope of their practice.
- An oral surgeon will perform a range of surgical treatments and work in harmony with the dental practitioner’s treatment.
What Does A Dentist Do?
Hopefully, you know a little of what a dentist does through your visits for check-ups!
Beyond scaling and cleaning, a dentist cares for general dental health and can provide dental treatments like fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, gum care, dental bridges and more.
- Your dentist is responsible for your dental upkeep and maintenance treatments.
- A dentist can provide a great deal of treatments but will be limited when procedures are more complex.
Who Do You Go To? An Oral Surgeon Or A Dentist?
The right person for your case depends on the treatment you need.
When you need routine dental treatments that can be provided by a dentist, they will be the ones to treat you. When you have a complicated case or require specific surgery, then an oral surgeon will likely be the person you’ll need.
An example of when you might need an oral surgeon is if you need a dental implant but you do not have sufficient bone in your jaw to support it.
An oral surgeon can work with your dentist and perform the procedure to graft the bone into your jaw. This procedure will ensure that you have the support you need for your dental implant.
Keep in mind that your dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon if you need a complicated procedure done, so don’t be afraid to visit your dentist if you’re not sure what you need.
Contact Redlands Gentle Dental Care Today
If you have concerns about your oral health and think you might need to come in and see us, please contact us today to make a booking. You can request an appointment online or call us directly with any questions you might have.
We have a team of talented dentists who can help you get the right treatments for your needs.
Call us on (07) 3245 5511 in Capalaba or on (07) 3820 7777 in Victoria Point to ask us any questions or make your next booking.
