Oral surgeons are some of the most underrated medical professionals around. If you already have a trusted dentist, you may be wondering what you could possibly need an oral surgeon for. However, your general dentist is not always qualified to help you out in particularly serious situations. So, what does an oral surgeon do? What makes them different from a traditional dentist? And when should you visit one?
What is an Oral Surgeon?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) are doctors that perform surgeries on the mouth. They are usually trained to work on the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. These surgeons differ from dentists because they can perform serious and high-risk dental surgeries. These doctors attend an additional four to six years of medical school to earn their OMS title. This means that they oftentimes have more expertise than a normal dentist.
When Should I Visit an Oral Surgeon?
If you have interacted with an OMS, it means that you have probably had your wisdom teeth removed by one. Traditional dentists generally do not have the qualifications needs to perform wisdom teeth extractions. An OMS is able to administer anesthesia to a patient, which is one way that they differ from general dentists. Wisdom teeth removal can be risky. Sometimes, there is bone above the teeth that needs to be removed. This means that you should always seek out a certified oral surgeon for seemingly harmless procedures like tooth extraction. Even if you already have a great general dentist, they may not be experienced in the removal of teeth, especially if they are still “stuck” inside of the gums. They can also attach teeth implants to your natural jaw. You just need to visit the williamsburg dental office of your local dentist.
You should also seek out an OMS for other serious issues. Sometimes, an OMS is needed for surgeries that don’t involve dentistry. They can repair cleft lips and cleft palates in babies and young children. Sometimes, oral surgeons even work on cancers. They can operate on and remove cancers that affect the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongues. Occasionally, an OMS will even operate on the upper portion of the face. Because they are so knowledgeable about how the jaw connects to the rest of the face, they can be the perfect person to repair facial lacerations and wounds around the eye socket. They can also perform jaw surgeries. These surgeries range from minor to major operations. These surgeries can assist with a patient’s eating, breathing, and chewing. It is important to have a good oral surgeon available in case an issue arises that your dentist is not qualified to treat.
How Do I Know When to Visit an Oral Surgeon?
How do you know when an oral problem has surpassed your dentist’s pay grade? Your dentist will usually tell you. Oftentimes, you will not be able to get an appointment with an oral surgeon without a referral from your general dentist. Your dentist will usually recommend that you visit an OMS when you have a serious issue. If your dentist decides that you need to see an OMS, you should try to make an appointment as soon as possible. If your dentist is recommending that you see an OMS, it means that it is likely an emergency. You may be at risk of infection if you don’t visit an oral surgeon soon.
How Do I Find a Good Oral Surgeon?
Like people in all other professions, not all oral surgeons are created equal. If you have a trusted dentist, it is likely that you can trust their referral. However, there are many online resources available where you can compare OMS’s in your area. You can oftentimes compare pricing and see which offices accept your insurance. It is important to do your research so you can ensure you get a quality doctor, because oral surgeons do high-risk surgeries, you want a doctor that you can trust.
Oral surgeons can do a lot for you. They can help you treat a multitude of different ailments. They can help with anything from dental implants and teeth extraction to realigning jaws and repairing cleft lips and cleft palates. There are plenty of reasons to have a good oral surgeon on your radar before you are in desperate need of one.