Although your family dentist may be your go-to dental professional for regular check-ups and cleanings, there are certain dental procedures that simply need to be performed by an oral surgeon. That’s why the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates in Anchorage want to make sure you’ve got all the information you need to understand that true difference between dentists and oral surgeons. 

To help you understand the role an oral surgeon plays in your dental health, here are a few things you need to know:

• Oral Surgeons Are Specialists: While your family dentist has the skill and expertise to handle all of your routine dental needs, an oral surgeon concentrates on more specialized practices, like tooth extractions and dental implants.
• Oral Surgeons Focus on More Than One Area: While oral surgeons are equipped with the appropriate skills to perform simple tooth extractions, they are also qualified to assess and treat more complicated issues. Oral surgeons also treat the jaw and facial areas in situations where trauma, tumors, or cysts become a problem.
• Oral Surgeons Hold Advanced Degrees: In order to perform complicated procedures like reconstructive surgery, dental implants, or tooth extractions, oral surgeons are required to undergo specialized training in addition to their dental school education. After dental school, oral surgeons receive an additional 4 to 8 years of training.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates, give them a call at (907) 561-1430. To learn more about dental surgery and oral pathology, you can also visit them online.