Rely on professional, high-quality care with our Board-certified oral surgeons at Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery. For surgical procedures of the mouth, jaw and face put your trust in the hands of an expert to ensure you receive the best treatment outcome.What is the Difference Between an Oral Surgeon and a Dentist?
An oral surgeon is a qualified dentist, but they provide services beyond that of general dentists. Oral surgeons spend an additional four to five years of training and a surgical residency to provide a wide range of specialist services.
What is a Board Certification?
Board-certified oral surgeons have reached the highest levels of professional expertise and are recognized for their skills. Oral surgeons are usually board-certified through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
What Does an Oral Surgeon Do?
Procedures that an oral surgeon may carry out range from routine treatments, such as impacted teeth extractions to major procedures, such as correcting congenital deformities. The wide range of treatments they may be involved with includes reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, correcting facial traumas, placing dental implants, and improving misaligned jaws. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons' work may include the mouth, nose, jaw, and cheekbones and can be carried out in a dental office, or a hospital environment.
Board-certified oral surgeons perform many different procedures. Here are some of the most common procedures that oral surgeons are engaged with on a regular basis include.
Dental Implants
Dental implants may be placed by a variety of dental specialists, including oral surgeons. With comprehensive knowledge and know-how, the oral surgeon is highly competent in placing dental implants and performing bone grafting surgery if it is required to augment the jawbone if bone loss is present.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is a procedure to correct the jawbones when an underbite, overbite, or misalignment is demonstrated. As well as providing a better aesthetic result for the facial profile, this surgery is sometimes indicated if the misaligned jaws cause issues such as pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or obstructive sleep apnea.
Teeth Extractions
Many people don’t realize that some teeth extractions are surgical procedures. It tends to be impacted teeth like canines (when the tooth has not broken through the gum) that will require an incision to be made in the gum so the tooth can be removed. The incision requires stitches to close the wound, which is why it is considered to be a surgical procedure.
TMJ Problems
TMJ problems are diagnosed and treated by oral surgeons. The cause of TMJ problems is variable and may include trauma, teeth grinding, and misaligned teeth. Often, oral surgeons may manage the problem as part of a multidisciplinary team which may include other specialists, such as orthodontists.
Pathological Conditions
Pathological diseases, including cancer, may be diagnosed and treated by an oral surgeon as well. They may perform biopsies, perform surgery to excise tumors, and reconstruct the tissue following excision.
Facial Injuries and Reconstructive Surgery
Oral surgeons can repair routine and complex facial injuries, including skin lacerations, nerve injuries, and bone fractures. They may also perform cosmetic surgery, such as Botox, to the mouth, chin, nose, and face.
Ensure you receive professional, expert care, and schedule an appointment with a board-certified oral surgeon at Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery. Call our Gastonia office and speak to one of our team members at (980) 448-3144 to find out more.
