Oral surgery has an air of mystery around it at times. There are dental procedures that are performed by a general dentist and some that an oral surgeon does. Knowing the difference between which type of dentist performs the work you need to be completed is vital.
Webster-Merriam Dictionary defines oral surgery as “a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions requiring surgical intervention.” Didn’t find that definition helpful? Neither did we. We found a few valuable tidbits of information when contemplating what exactly is oral surgery.
General dentists and oral surgeons each perform different tasks and procedures involving your teeth. General dentists will perform general check-ups and simple teeth removal. Surgeries that range from wisdom teeth removal to complete jaw reconstruction require an oral surgeon to perform.
Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery are surgeries that deal with simple extractions and soft tissue or jaw procedures. These two types of surgery differ by what part of your face and mouth are need surgical treatment.
Oral surgery deals with a person’s mouth, whereas maxillofacial surgery deals with an individual’s face and jaw. OMS or oral and maxillofacial surgery covers simple procedures to more complex surgical procedures dealing with face, mouth, and jaw issues. These procedures include:
- Biopsies for cancer screenings
- Exposing impacted canines for orthodontic treatment
- Facial or jaw reconstruction
- Cosmetic facial surgeries
- Wisdom teeth removal (for impacted teeth)
- Dental implants
- Root canal
- TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
- Sleep apnea surgery
For a list of other oral surgery procedures, follow this link.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon vs. Dental Surgeon
A dental surgeon is not the same as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon undergoes additional training to treat more complex surgical procedures needed by some individuals. Dental Surgeons will hold the title of DDS (doctor of dental surgery).
Speak with dental office staff if in doubt about if a particular procedure can be dealt with through a general dentist or if it will need to be performed by a specialist.
Contact Us
To learn more about the types of oral surgery we perform or other dental services we provide, call us at 713-668-2289 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation with Dr. Konig. We are pleased to support our clients in attaining their dental and oral goals. Our practice is proud to serve Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas.
