When choosing the dental implant procedure, it is important to pick the right person. Many people can be certified to do dental implants, but oral surgeons have the proper training and schooling for these serious treatment plans. While an oral surgeon and dentist perform similar tasks, there are some key differences that you should understand.
A dentist somebody that is qualified by schooling to practice treating diseases and conditions that affect oral health. Dentists generally go to college to complete their undergraduate degree and then attend dental school to finish their schooling. General dentists are there to treat many forms of oral issues, and preform procedures like root canals, crowns, fillings, and routine teeth cleanings. It is important for a general dentist to understand what good oral health and hygiene consists of and ensures it is maintained.
An oral surgeon is someone who goes through the same schooling as a dentist, and then once dental school is complete, they opt in to specialize in one of nine specialties defined by the American Dental Association:
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontics
- Pediatrics
- Orthopedics
- Orthodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Oral surgeons focus only on dental surgeries and are often called oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Some common surgeries that they handle are wisdom teeth removal, TMJ corrections, defect or injury reconstructions, removal of oral cancer masses and dental implants. Oral surgeons then go on to completing a residency that lasts for a few years, and sometimes maintain a medical degree.
It is important to ensure you are choosing the correct doctor for your specific needs. If you’re thinking of having a major procedure completed, it is important to do your research. Your general dentist may be certified in completing dental implants, but they may also be able to recommend an oral surgeon for the treatment plan. It is also important to know that if you’re oral condition is serious, and more difficult than the average person, seeking help from an oral surgeon may be in your best interest, because with their residency, they’ve been exposed to many different cases.