15 May Tooth Extractions – Get it From a Dentist or an Oral surgeon?

While dentist and oral surgeons may share the same title “Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS), the bottom line is that they are trained somewhat differently. Whereas a general dentist or dental surgeon will, often as not, deal with all aspects of dental health such as oral hygiene and dental repairs, the remit of an oral surgeon is rather different.

It may be helpful to think of a dentist as someone similar to a general doctor who takes care of your general health but refers you to a specialist for any major treatments or surgeries.

So what about tooth extractions?

Many dentists regularly carry out routine tooth extractions and other procedures such as root canal work that involves drilling into the jaw bone, so they are more than competent in this area. There may be occasions, however, when an extraction may be more complex or difficult and the removal of wisdom teeth also falls into this category.

A reputable dental practice will have the relevant skills needed to facilitate all types of dentistry and some may even have their own in-house oral surgeon. Many patients prefer to have extractions carried out by an oral surgeon rather than their regular dentist. Some practices may have a policy of referral in the event of potentially difficult or complex procedures including some tooth extractions.

Why choose an Oral Surgeon for an extraction?

If a regular dentist perceives that an extraction is likely to be difficult there is a strong chance that they will refer you to an oral surgeon. Molars, for example, have a more complex root system and some teeth may be close to nerves or subject to defects in the jaw bone or the tooth itself. Some teeth may also be already damaged or badly decayed which means there is a higher risk of them breaking in the jaw.

Oral surgeons usually carry out procedures with patients under a local anaesthetic but in more challenging circumstances such as the removal of wisdom teeth, a general anaesthetic may be used.

Our team at Signal Hill Dental Centre will always provide a honest guidance on what is best to maintain and achieve your optimal oral health. Should you have any concern or needs for a tooth extraction and need consultation on who is best to see, come and talk to our team!