Difference Between a General Dentist and Oral Surgeon

The primary difference between a general dentist and an oral surgeon are their areas of expertise and the level of training that is required to become licensed in either field. General dentists are dentists who provide a broad range of dental services to a wide range of patients. People generally go to a general dentist for procedures such as deep cleanings, fillings, crown or bridge placement, dental implants, Invisalign, root canal therapy, et. al.

If a patient has an issue that is more extensive or requires specialized surgical support, they may be recommended to an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon (OMS), who specializes in the diagnosis and/or surgical treatment of injuries, defects, or diseases that involve the functional and aesthetic aspects of the soft and hard tissues that comprise the oral and maxillofacial area.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

A licensed OMS is required to first complete dental school and earn their DMD (doctor of dental medicine) or DDS (doctor of dental surgery) degree. Following this, prospective OMS’s must complete a four-year residency program in a hospital.

Throughout the residency programs, OMS’s will train with emergency physicians, general surgeons, anesthesiologists, and general surgeons. Many prospective OMS’s will also pursue two additional years of training to earn a medical degree and/or enroll in fellowship programs that provide additional training in more advanced surgical techniques.

Once they have completed dental school and the hospital residency program, OMS’s can join a health care team and begin diagnosing and treating oral and maxillofacial issues.

What OMS’s Do:

  • Administer anesthesia
  • Complex dental extractions
  • Correct cleft palates
  • Corrective jaw surgery
  • Cosmetic surgery of the jaw, face, and neck
  • Dental implant placement
  • Perform extractions for teeth that are non-restorable and/or impacted (dentoalveolar surgery)
  • Rebuild damaged cheeks, jaws, cheeks, eye sockets, noses and foreheads
  • Reconstructive surgery
  • Removal of tumors and cysts (oncologic surgery)
  • Soft tissue biopsies
  • TMJ surgery
  • Treatment of chronic conditions such as sleep apnea

While OMS’s specialize in performing these types of procedures, they are also trained to deal with certain complications that can occur due to oral surgical procedures. As such, there may be times when a general dentist is able to perform a particular procedure but will refer a patient to an OMS because they are more adept and qualified to address the potential complications that can develop as a result of the procedure.

Detecting and Treating Diseases

One of the most important services an OMS provides is the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. Every year, approximately 34,000 people in America are diagnosed with oral cancer. Early detection is one of the most important factors when it comes to patients having a positive prognosis, which is why it is so important to schedule regular visits with your dentist.

If oral cancer is suspected, an oral surgeon can perform a biopsy to determine if cancer is present. Should the diagnosis come back positive for oral cancer, treatment typically consists of radiation therapy along with oral surgical procedures, such as a maxillectomy, mandible resection, glossectomy, et. al.

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