Maintaining the integrity of your oral health is essential for overall well-being, and sometimes specialized dental care is necessary. The expertise of an oral surgeon or orthodontist may be necessary for any problem that goes beyond routine dental care. While both dental professionals have the education and training to treat similar dental conditions, it is important to understand that they have key differences in their roles.
Oral surgeons are specialists who have completed additional years of training beyond the standard required for dental school. They focus on diagnosing and surgically treating a wide range of dental and maxillofacial conditions. They often work closely with other dental professionals in a patient's network to ensure they provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
Orthodontists complete additional training beyond the standard requirements for dental school. However, their main focus is preventing and correcting dental and facial irregularities with the help of orthodontic appliances such as braces, aligners, headgear, and more. Their ultimate goal is to improve the alignment of the teeth and jaws, effectively enhancing the smile's appearance and function.
An oral surgeon can treat conditions resulting from congenital disabilities, trauma, facial deformities, disease, and severe dental conditions. They can also help permanently restore a smile for those missing one or multiple teeth. Three of the most common procedures an oral surgeon can provide are wisdom teeth extractions, dental implant procedures, and corrective jaw surgeries.
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, often cause problems when they begin to erupt. These issues can cause the surrounding teeth to become impacted and crowded. This can cause the gum tissue to become inflamed and infected, as well as cause the patient to experience pain when biting down on objects and food.
Patients are typically made aware that their wisdom is beginning to erupt by their general dentist or orthodontist, who will then recommend an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons specialize in surgically removing wisdom teeth so that each patient, no matter their age, can have a smooth experience.
Dental implants are a popular choice by many dental professionals to permanently restore incomplete smiles. However, an oral surgeon's expertise will likely be necessary since the dental implant process is intricate, requiring multiple surgical procedures and spread across nine months.
Their expertise will not only help patients throughout the dental implant process but beforehand in case a patient does not qualify for the treatment. They can also perform sinus lifts and bone grafts to increase a patient's dental implant approval odds.
There are numerous reasons a patient may be recommended for jaw surgery, many of which go beyond the training of a general dentist or orthodontist. Conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), extreme overbites, underbites, and open bites may require corrective jaw surgery.
Additionally, an oral surgeon also completes training in three types of corrective jaw surgery: maxillary osteotomy, mandibular osteotomy, and double jaw surgery. All three of these surgical procedures are considered invasive and require specialized care to perform.
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When deciding between an oral surgeon or an orthodontist, the choice is relatively easy. Often, dentists and orthodontists recommend patients to our practice when faced with a dental condition that goes beyond their skill level. However, if you are still unsure if you require an oral surgeon's care, contact our team today and schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment or call Morris Oral Surgery & Implant Center at 973-400-5254 for an appointment in our Morris Plains office.
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