Dr. Paranthi Reddy is a Board-certified oral surgeon with experience in facial deformities and reconstruction, as well as general maxillofacial surgical procedures. In the following article, Paranthi Reddy discusses when a patient should seek treatment from an oral surgeon in lieu of a general dentist, and why.
While a dentist is an incredibly helpful resource for 90% of mouth, gum, and teeth concerns, there are some issues that require a little more extra expertise. When a serious problem arises, an oral surgeon is the answer.
Oral surgeons like Dr. Paranthi Reddy says to go the extra mile when it comes to mouth care. They perform more complex procedures like wisdom tooth removal, jaw surgery due to injury or defect, bone grafts, and dental implants. Plus, they specialize in oral pathology such as tonsillitis. Oral surgeons deliver the more complex care for the mouth, jaw, and face that a dentist is not trained for.
Dr. Paranthi Reddy, oral surgeon, dives deeper into the differences between a dentist and oral surgeon and discusses when a surgeon is the right choice.
Procedures Performed by an Oral Surgeon
There are several procedures that a dentist is not qualified to perform. When this is necessary, dentists then refer patients to an oral surgeon. Paranthi Reddy, an oral surgeon, takes a look at why a specialist is required for a bone graft, wisdom tooth extraction, dental implant, or other jaw surgery.
Bone Graft
A bone graft is performed when a patient has lost bone mass in their jaw. Most commonly, Dr. Paranthi Reddy says that this needed after trauma, a tooth extraction, or before a dental implant can be placed. In cases where a patient requires a sinus lift, a bone graft is placed in the empty space created during the procedure.
Since bone grafts can have consequences such as nerve damage if done incorrectly, an oral surgeon usually performs the procedure.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Paranthi Reddy, oral surgeon, also performs wisdom tooth extractions. The procedure can take anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour depending on the severity of the case and the number of teeth being removed.
Often, the tooth has not erupted from the gum before the procedure, so the surgeon may need to remove a piece of the jawbone to reveal the tooth to remove. This, among other complications, is why a specialist is needed.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is a titanium artificial tooth root. It is implanted in the jaw and will support an artificial tooth. Dr. Paranthi Reddy, oral surgeon, says that they are needed in cases of tooth loss so that the jawbone structure remains in good health. A dental implant is usually installed in 2-3 stages to allow healing in between.
Oral surgeons may also assist patients with dentures, particularly if the jawbone needs a bit of help to support the denture.
Jaw Surgery
There are several other reasons why an oral surgeon might be needed for surgery of the jaw. One of the most common procedures is corrective jaw surgery, which repairs or realigns the jaw explains Dr. Paranthi Reddy, oral surgeon. This procedure is performed on patients with a harmful underbite or overbite that is negatively affecting their facial muscles, ability to eat, or overall quality of life.
Another common procedure performed by an oral surgeon is the repair of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. Paranthi Reddy, dentist says that in severe cases of TMJ disorders, patients will require surgery to eliminate pain and headaches, jaw popping, and jaw stiffness.
Less Common Surgical Procedures
Since oral surgeons are medical doctors, they specialize in several other mouth and facial issues beyond tooth and jaw procedures. They work with both hard and soft tissues of the mouth and face.
An oral surgeon also takes care of:
- Nerve repair
- Infections
- Cleft palates
- Cancer of the mouth, salivary glands, larynx, lips, throat, and sinuses
- Biopsies of soft tissue around the mouth
- Sleep apnea
- Facial reconstruction
What Sets an Oral Surgeon Apart from a Dentist
Dr. Paranthi Reddy explains that dentists and oral surgeons vary in many ways beyond the types of procedures they perform.
Oral surgeons go through an additional 4-6 years of schooling. They participate in hospital residency programs and are a medical doctor, or M.D., rather than a Doctor of Dental Medicine, or D.D.M. as a dentist is.
Oral surgeons can also sedate their patients for more complex procedures while a dentist is not qualified to do so explains Dr. Paranthi Reddy. Further, though some dentists may perform the odd tooth extraction, they are not considered surgical specialists.
Final Thoughts
So, although dentists and oral surgeons both work in the same area, their jobs differ greatly. A dentist should still be the first point of contact for any tooth, gum, or mouth-related concerns, but an oral surgeon is the one performing a number of more complex procedures under a wider umbrella.
