What Makes An Oral Surgeon In Houston TX An Expert In His Field?

Oral surgery, recognized by the American Dental Association as one of the nine specialty areas of dentistry, is focused on the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of injuries, diseases, as well as defects associated with the functional and esthetic aspects of the maxillofacial area or the areas in the face, mouth, teeth and jaws. Oral surgeons, together with other experts in related fields, are in charge to handle these cases. They are commonly referred by general dentists and medical physicians. If you are looking for a competent oral surgeon in Houston TX or anywhere else for that matter, here’s some information that will help you find one.

What does an oral surgeon do?

An oral surgeon, among others, is skilled in removing diseased and impacted teeth as well as in administering anesthesia. He is also skilled in placing dental implants when collaborating with a cosmetic or restorative dentist. He also knows how to treat minor to complex facial injuries that involve the oral tissues, jaws, cheek, eye sockets and the like. Moreover, an oral surgeon also evaluates pathologic conditions and performs reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and even jaw surgery.

What To Ask

You have to consider some crucial factors to help you find an expert oral surgeon. First of all, you have to know how long he has been in practice. You want someone who has been in the industry for years. The longer he is in the profession, the more procedures he has performed making him more reliable and competent at what he does. Ask about his training and clinical experience particularly on the procedure that you will be requiring. Ask if he had encountered any problem when performing this specific procedure in the past.

A good oral surgeon belongs to some reputable associations in his filed and constantly updates himself with the recent developments in his area of expertise. Ask if he belongs to any particular group and what studies he has taken up recently. Also, ask him about what other options are available for you that will treat or correct your condition and their corresponding pros and cons.

Inquire about the cost of the procedure you want and ask if there are other modes of payment or in-house financing that you can avail in case your dental insurance won’t shoulder the cost of your treatment. You should also ask what type of emergency care the oral surgeon offers and if he is available after office hours, on weekends and holidays.

If you are looking for a reputable oral surgeon, visit Dr. Holly Gregory,DDS today. 

When Is It Necessary To Find An Oral Surgeon In Houston TX?

A lot of people often wonder why there’s a need for an oral surgeon when you have dentists around. It’s simple actually. There are things that a regular dentist can’t do. The truth is that there are several dental procedures that may be too difficult for your dentist to handle and should be left to an oral surgeon. You see, the latter, given his skills, training and experience, has a higher level of expertise making him the right person to handle more complex dental problems or procedures such as fixing a broken jaw and other corrective surgery. Perhaps in layman’s terms, it is safe to say that a dentist works with the teeth while an oral surgeon works with the gum, jaw and the mouth as a whole. For complicated dental problems, consider seeking the expertise of an oral surgeon in Houston TX today.

Oral surgeons normally command higher salaries averaging $217, 380 per year as of May 2011 according to data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is largely because of the specialized nature of their work. They are focused on performing surgeries and other procedures mainly on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial areas basically to treat diseases, defects or injuries. It goes without saying that for you to become an oral surgeon, you need to take up more than just general dentistry.

How To Become An Oral Surgeon

After graduating from a dental school, which normally takes 4 years to complete, general and specialty dentists need to obtain state licenses to be able to practice their profession. Depending on the state where they apply, the requirements can vary although most would require an accredited dental degree and a passing score on the National Board Dental Examinations. In addition, some states may also require a hands-on practical exam.

To become an oral surgeon, you still have to complete a specialty residency program that’s honored by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. This can take about 4 years including months working in areas such as oral pathology and anesthesia. Once the specialty training is completed, you have to pass computer-based and oral examinations before you can be a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. It is also important to take note that it is generally necessary to have continuing studies in order for oral surgeons to keep their certification.

Got dental issues that are more than your dentist can handle? Check out Northeast Houston Dental Implants & Periodontology today and see what options are available for you.