Hearing about your “wisdom teeth” as a child might’ve had you looking forward to them. Now that they’ve come in and caused issues with your smile, not to mention pain, you’re beginning to think otherwise. You call around to a few dentists, but they all tell you to find a specialist to have the problem addressed. Since general dentists can’t perform oral surgery, but your oral surgeon in Waco, Dr. Jason Beck at Waco Surgical Arts, can. He’s the trusted professional you see – and it’s a wise decision.
What makes oral surgeons different?
These dental specialists have extensive training in oral surgery and spend four years in residency for surgery – after they complete their four years of dental school. They train alongside other medical specialists to become experts in emergency dentistry, general surgery, and anesthesiology. After honing their medical and dental skills, they are recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as being a master in oral maxillofacial surgery, one of the 9 ADA recognized specialties.
What services do oral surgeons provide that general dentists can’t?
Dr. Beck’s training and years of experience allow him to provide services that general dentists can’t:
Dental Implants – You guessed it, dental implants are actually a type of oral surgery that require a specialist’s expertise.
Impacted Tooth Removal – A general dentist can often perform routine tooth extraction. but wisdom teeth are often impacted making the procedure more complicated than a dentist can handle.
Cleft Palate & Lip Repair – If you’re dealing with a congenital defect, a trusted oral maxillofacial surgeon is the specialist you need to ensure proper treatment.
Facial Injury Reconstruction – No matter how careful you are, sometimes accidents happen. If you have a broken jaw or an injury to the cheeks and face, you’ll need the help of an oral surgeon.
Bone Grafting – When the jawbone recedes (either from dentures or from other causes), an oral surgeon can perform bone grafting surgery to enhance your jaw to make it ready for dental implants.
TMD Treatment – Some cases of TMJ Dysfunction (TMD) require surgical correction – which is where this dental specialty comes into play.
Growths in the Mouth – Oral surgeons are trained in the removal of benign tumors and cysts, as well as the treatment of many oral cancers.
Now that you understand the requirements for additional specialized training and education, you can clearly see what sets an oral maxillofacial surgeon apart from a general dentist. If you’re in need of oral surgery, trust Waco Surgical Arts to take care of you and schedule your appointment today.