When it comes to maintaining your oral wellness, there are several types of professionals who can provide expert care for your teeth and gums. Both dentists and oral surgeons offer procedures and general care to help their patients maintain optimal dental health. Here’s a closer look at the important roles these two professionals play.

Dentist

Dentists and their teams provide general oral wellness services, like teeth cleanings and X-rays, to maintain your teeth and gums. They also offer restorative procedures, such as fillings for cavities, root canal therapy, and other treatments, to address issues as they arise. Many dentists also provide cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening.

Dentists typically receive four years of undergraduate schooling, followed by several years of dental school. Then, they either receive a degree as a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) or doctor of dental surgery (DDS), which indicates the same level of education.

Oral Surgeon

These professionals specialize in more complex treatments of the gums, teeth, and jaw. These professionals can administer treatment not only to the teeth and bones, but also the soft tissue of the mouth. For instance, they may perform emergency reconstructive surgery following trauma, like a sports injury or car accident. They can also perform restorative treatments, such as dental implants, as well as involved tooth extractions, like wisdom tooth removal.

Like dentists, oral surgeons must also finish undergraduate school and years of additional dental education. Then, prospective surgeons must complete a residency program at a hospital, which can last up to eight years.

If you think you need to see an oral surgeon, contact Lyle C. Yanagihara DDS, MS, in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Yanagihara and his team provide their patients with affordable surgical treatments, like wisdom teeth removals, cleft palate repairs, and bone grafting procedures. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 973-1433.