Oral Surgeons Vs. Dentists
Oral surgeons receive special training and focus on treating abnormalities of the jaw, teeth, mouth, and face in addition to oral diseases and facial injuries. All oral surgeons receive their exclusive training, including four to seven years of surgical training in a clinical setting, a residency program, and additional advanced programs during medical school. An oral surgeon is the most qualified specialist to perform dental implant placement due to their specialized experience.
Oral surgeons, like Dr. Weber, are trained to administer anesthesia, which makes them qualified to perform in-office procedures that require intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia. Most trauma centers have an oral and maxillofacial surgeon on staff to evaluate and treat facial trauma patients due to their specialty training.
There are some dentists who have experience placing dental implants, but not all dentists have practiced this procedure. Dentists are responsible for identifying any problems and referring a patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who can perform an assessment. Dentists and oral surgeons work together to offer their patients the best possible results from treatment.