Most people are often confused between an oral surgeon and a dentist in Oshawa. However, people are not to blame for this confusion as there are various dental professionals that provide different services and cater to the diverse needs of a patient. Even though dentists and oral surgeons might sound similar, but in reality, they are very different from each other in terms of training, expertise, and education. In addition, both dentists in Oshawa and oral surgeons specialize in different roles in oral health. Therefore, to help one make an informed decision about their oral health here is the difference between an oral surgeon and a dentist.
Table of Contents
Who is a Dentist?
A dentist, in general, is someone who offers preventive and primary level care for our teeth. People of every age group can visit a dentist to get their teeth fixed or cleaned. Furthermore, a dentist in Oshawa can carry out general checkups of the teeth and, in some cases, even x-rays. Visiting a dentist on a regular basis can help an individual detect issues with teeth, throat, and gums in the early stages. After detecting the problem, the dentist can take measures to contain the issue and stop it from spreading any further.
Types Of Services Offered By Dentists?
Most dentists are well equipped with the skills and necessary training to provide patients with different services. For example, issues with root canals and gums can be tackled by a dentist. In some cases, dentists can even help patients with cosmetic fixes. However, the primary services offered by a dentist include sealants, whitening, fillings, veneers, crowns, and bridges.
Who is an Oral Surgeon?
An oral surgeon is also referred to as a maxillofacial surgeon, and they are specialized surgeons of the face, mouth, and jaws. An oral surgeon is a medical specialty in the field of dentistry that requires the doctors to undergo additional training and education in the subject of oral surgery. These surgeons are basically people who have the necessary expertise on services that are beyond a dentist. A dentist can refer a patient to an oral surgeon only when the required treatment does not fit their scope. After that, the oral surgeon can perform the required surgery and function in sync with the treatment provided by the dentist.
Types Of Services Offered By Oral Surgeon
As discussed earlier, an oral surgeon is equipped with the necessary skill and education to perform complex or even simple surgeries in the mouth, face, and jaws. The procedures carried out by oral surgeons include:
- Bone grafting.
- Removal of tooth or teeth in some cases.
- Other complex surgeries related to dentistry.
Education
One thing that a dentist and an oral surgeon have in common is that they are both required to attend dental school after completing their bachelor’s degree. The dental school lasts for four years, where students have to undergo clinical practicum tasks to get themselves trained in the treatment and diagnosis of dental issues.
After completing dental school, a dentist has to complete another exam to get their license and begin with the practice. On the contrary, oral surgeons have to undergo surgical residency that lasts four to six years. After the authorities accept the residency, an oral surgeon completes the board certification exam.
Conclusion
Now that we get the fundamental difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon, we must acknowledge that both are equally important for us. However, the only difference is that now we know who specializes in what.
Author’s Bio
Shrey Jain is the Co-Founder of Writofy & a Chartered Accountant who works with a team of creative content writers. He holds a forte in creating informative content on niches like crypto, business, fintech, digital marketing, and several others. In addition, his willingness to learn and share his knowledge can immensely help readers get valuable insights on varied topics.
