Many people are uncertain about what the differences between a general dentist and an oral surgeon are. The easiest way to think of the difference is to apply the same difference between a general doctor or family practitioner who is trained to provide a broad range of services to a wide range of clients, compared to a doctor who is specialized, such as a neurosurgeon, who has received specialized training to perform specific types of procedures for particular types of patients and to treat very specific types of issues.

Licensed dentists are certified to perform a range of dental procedure, though some offices will focus more on particular procedures or particular types of dentistry. Some of the more common types of procedures performed by dentists include fillings, deep cleanings, bridge or crown placement, root canal therapy, tooth/teeth extraction, dental implants, soft tissue grafting, bone grafting, and/or Invisalign to name a few.

Although dentists are trained in a variety of treatment options, there are times when a dentist will have a patient whose needs are beyond their scope of expertise, or for whom an oral surgeon will be a better option to get the results they want.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

All dentists are required to complete 7-8 years in college to earn their DDS or DMD. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who specialize in treating diseases associated with the mouth, face, jaws, and teeth, will spend an additional 4-6 years of training following dental school to become trained in specific surgical procedures in a hospital environment.

Unlike a DDS or DMD, an oral surgeon will only perform procedures within the scope of their specialized training. Although highly specialized, oral surgeons can still perform a range of procedures, including the following:

• Teeth extractions (simple and complicated)
• Congenital defects
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Dental implants
• TMJ surgeries
• Cosmetic surgeries
• Jaw realignment surgery to correct malocclusion
• Impacted teeth
• Facial injuries/repairing broken bones in the face and jaws
• Soft tissue biopsies
• Tumor and cyst removal from the jaws
• Complications caused by wisdom teeth
• Treatment of chronic conditions (sleep apnea, neck and head cancer, et. al)

In addition to specializing in these procedures, oral surgeons are also trained in dealing with complications that can develop as a result of surgical procedures. For this reason, there may be times when your general dentist may be comfortable performing a procedure, but will defer to the oral surgeon when it comes to managing complications that result due to the procedure.

Should I See a Dentist or Oral Surgeon?

Whether you should see a dentist or an oral surgeon completely depends upon your specific case. A general dentist is typically seen for common dental health issues and regular checkups, and is often who will recommend that you see an oral surgeon if your particular case is beyond their area of expertise. For example, your general dentist may typically be comfortable performing a tooth extraction; however, if your particular extraction is uniquely complicated (typically because impacted teeth are involved), then your general dentist may recommend that you have an oral surgeon perform the procedure instead.

More on Oral Surgery : What is Oral Surgery?