DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORAL SURGEON AND A DENTIST

There are many differences and similarities between dentists and oral surgeon mobile alabama. When considering your options for treatment, it is important to know what they are. In most cases, a dentist refers you to the surgeon when necessary for treatment. However, when first searching for dental care, you may notice that you have a lot of choices for both. Here is a list of the basic similarities and differences.

What do general dentists do?

General dentists are typically your go to for every day dental needs. It is recommended that you see a general dentist every 6 months. When there, the dentist will typically clean your teeth, provide any minor treatments that are needed, and/or screen your mouth for signs of disease and decay.

General dentists typically do not specialize in all forms of dentistry. They usually specialize in one or a few areas, but are able to treat most common areas of dentistry. General dentists typically handle things such as basic oral exams, x-rays, cleanings, cavity treatments such as crowns and fillings, root canals, sealants, bridges, gum care, and simple tooth extractions. If you are need of one of these procedures, a dentist is right for you.

Finding a general dentist is pretty simple. You can go through your insurance company in most cases to find someone that is in your network. If you do not have insurance, a simple Internet search will yield a lot of results. Once you have narrowed it down to a few, you should schedule a consultation. During this time you will be able to ask them questions about their philosophies. Once you have selected a dentist and begin seeing them regularly, they will be able to guide you on your oral hygiene practices and general oral health.

What do oral surgeons do?

Oral surgeons are dental specialists that spend four to eight additional years in dental school. In most cases, you do not start with an oral surgeon. A general dentist will typically refer you for a treatment because it is out of their specialty. These surgeons typically specialize in more complex forms of dentistry such as: complex tooth removal that include issues related to bone, impacted tooth removal, dental implants and implant alignment, soft tissue removal, and removal of tumors.

Most oral surgeries can be done in one day and with only local anesthesia. In some cases, general anesthesia will need to be used. The recovery for oral surgeries varies depending on the invasiveness of the surgery itself. Simple tooth extractions have a much shorter recovery time than jaw surgery for example.

If you are in need of oral surgery consult your dentist. They will be able to guide you through the process of finding a surgeon that will suit your needs. Once you have found a surgeon that works for you, they will be able to guide you on the ways to prepare for the procedure as well as how to approach your recovery. You will need to pay extra attention to post surgery foods to eat and to avoid.

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