When Should I See an Oral Surgeon?
Sometimes it is obvious, when you start to oral pain, you need to see to go see your dental health professional. In some cases it’s more serious than a quick trip to the dentist, and you should see an oral surgeon instead. Here’s how to find out which one you might need.
To diagnose any form of mouth discomfort, you should visit a dentist first. If the problem you are having requires an oral surgeon, your dentist will let you know, and they can even refer you to a dental professional they recommend.
A Dentist vs An Oral Surgeon
Some conditions require the help of an oral surgeon. They have more hands-on surgical training than a most general dentists. Generally speaking, they often have a higher level of education and skill in the field as well. In most cases, an they can also perform most general dentistry.
Both professions require the same early level of education and clinical experience. General dentists and oral surgeons must then complete a licensure exam to practice dentistry. Following the exam, the surgeon must complete four to six years of surgical residency. They receive training in areas such as anesthesia, surgical extraction, and oral pathology.
Here are a few of the areas that require an oral surgeon:
- Dental implants
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Root Canals
- Extreme overbite or underbite
- Sleep and breathing issues
- Temporomandibular joint issues
- Cancer treatment of the mouth, throat, and lips
If you are unsure of which you might need, contact us today!