Oral Surgery Procedures – New York

Dr. Chen and Dr. Black provide a full scope of oral surgery, surgical dental, and maxillofacial treatments in New York, NY. They specialize in corrective jaw surgery, surgical root canal therapy, tooth extraction, bone grafting, TMJ disorder treatment, sleep medicine, and dental implant placement. General dentists and oral surgeons provide some of the same treatments, so what is the difference between the two?

What is an oral surgeon? Everything You Need to Know

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists with expertise in surgical procedures to treat and correct dental, occlusal, and soft tissue problems. An oral surgeon has the expertise to repair muscles and bone around the oral cavity and facial structure.

What is the difference between an oral surgeon and a general dentist?

There are many areas of overlap between the treatments offered by a general dentist and an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons complete four years of education after they graduate from general dental school, followed by a four to six-year residency, which prepares them to treat complex cases and perform high-risk surgeries successfully.

Does an oral surgeon provide preventative care?

Preventative care is what your general dentist does best. Your general dentist is on the frontlines of their patient’s oral health and can identify possible issues before they wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Generally, dentists refer patients to a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, to treat more complex issues.

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Why do oral surgeons and dentists both do tooth extractions?

Both general dentists and oral surgeons do tooth extractions, but some extractions are more complex than others. Molars are usually more difficult to remove than the teeth in the front of your mouth. Even so, a general dentist performs wisdom tooth extractions. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, however, dentists often refer the patient to an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons have the expertise to operate on the bone in and around the jaws.

Why does an oral surgeon perform root canal therapy?

Not all root canal procedures are equal, and the complexity of the procedure depends on the extent of a patient’s root canal. Root canal therapy removes infected tissue from within the root canal. Most patients’ canals are single tubes, but the canal can branch into several tubes and out into the surrounding bone. A general dentist can do simple root canal treatments, but if the canal branches into several tubes, the therapy should be referred to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon must perform an apicoectomy if the root canal fails to remove the hard-to-reach infected tissue. If a dentist fails to remove all of the infected tissue from the canal, the treatment will eventually fail, and infection will return.

Should I choose an oral surgeon over a dentist for dental implants?

General dentists and oral surgeons can place dental implants, but which is the better choice? When placing dental implants, an oral surgeon generally has more hands-on experience and in-depth training. General dentists often spend less time performing dental implant placement procedures, whereas oral surgeons routinely place dental implants. An oral surgeon has the skill and training to anticipate, avoid, and correct complications in surgery to ensure a successful recovery.

What procedures does an oral surgeon perform that a dentist does not?

The procedures that oral surgeons provide, which general dentists do not, include:

Do oral surgeons provide different types of pain management options?

Oral surgeons provide a wide range of pain management and sedation options to best serve each patient’s well-being. Oral surgery often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the duration of the surgery. Discuss your sedation preference with your oral surgeon. Call our office to learn more about pain management options and to schedule your oral surgery consultation.