Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist. Oral surgeons treat patients by performing surgery on the structures of the face and jaw. An oral surgeon (known formally as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon) is a dental specialist. In addition to completing dental school, practitioners must spend a minimum of 4 years in a hospital-based training program. The 75th percentile salary is $201,830, meaning 25 percent earn more. Oral surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession, while orthodontists focus on straightening teeth. Oral surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession, while orthodontists focus on straightening teeth. The following guide to orthodontist vs oral and maxillofacial surgeons will help you understand the difference between the two so you can make the best choice for your child. What kinds of procedures are they well-suited to perform? Lets look at a few. An oral surgeon may also extract teeth, reconstruct bone in the jaw, perform corrective jaw surgery for cosmetic purposes or treat obstructive sleep apnea. See oral surgeon for implants/bone grafting. This type of surgery involves the movement of both the teeth and jawbone. This issue of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America is devoted to Orthodontics for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patient and is edited by Drs. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must complete extra training and education beyond what is normal for a dentist. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the experts in face, mouth, and jaw surgery. Special Skills for Being a Dental Hygienist, Education Requirements for Plastic Surgeons, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Dentist, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons -- The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, American Association of Orthodontists: Why You Should See an Orthodontist, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 29-1022 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011 29-1023 Orthodontists, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists. An orthodontist uses a variety of tools to put pressure on the teeth to move them into proper alignment. Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is an advanced specialty of orthodontics, requiring extensive training. They may repair damage from an automobile accident or other facial trauma, correct congenital deformities such as cleft lips or treat conditions such as head and neck cancer. 2b. What Types of Floss are Better for Tender Gums? Dental specialties can be confusing, and many patients don’t know which type of professional they should see for different dental problems. Oral Surgeon vs. Orthodontist. There are similarities and differences in the education of these practitioners: Each studies local anesthesia, dental anatomy, radiology and periodontology, or the study of oral disease and health, during four years of dental school. In 2016, 153,500 people were employed in the U.S. as dentists. As you might expect, these professionals often perform dental or maxillofacial surgery. Oral surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental profession, while orthodontists focus on straightening teeth. The combined effort of both surgeons will allow for proper identification and resolution to the problem. Dr. Armand Keuroghlian DDS. All oral and maxillofacial surgeons are graduates from dental school and are initially dentists. Some oral health problems require the expertise of both of these dental specialties. Oral and maxillofacial surgery corrects a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. In others, the orthodontist will use clear plastic braces that are computer-generated and must be changed every few weeks as the teeth gradually move into position. Beth Greenwood is an RN and has been a writer since 2010. Most oral surgeons and orthodontists work in private practice, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Oral surgeons and orthodontists each specialize in specific aspects of dental care and treatment, and each plays a different role in maintaining oral health. Articles will include: Digital workflow for combined orthodontics and orthognathic surgery; Surgical tooth exposure and bonding: What does the orthodontist want? On the low end, dentists earned a 25th percentile salary of $110,030, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. Some get a medical degree (an MD) along with their oral surgery diplomas. Often, patients who have jaw and facial deformities need both oral surgery and orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists’ training is focused on ways to properly align the teeth so patients can speak, bite and chew comfortably and effectively. Dr. Armand Keuroghlian is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who graduated from Harbor- UCLA. Learning the difference can help you make the right decision when looking for a professional to treat issues revolving around your face, mouth, teeth, and jaw. All of these structures play a role in your ability to bite, chew or speak. Orthodontists treat problems related to the teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums and facial muscles. Many patients require orthodontic treatment both before and after oral surgery. It is a recognized international surgical specialty, and one of the nine specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association. These providers can also help patients with the following: Most oral surgeons complete a four-year residency in a hospital-based residency program that has been accredited by the American Dental Association. The professionals at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah are fully trained and board certified in the practice of oral surgery and related treatment protocols. When it comes to different types of dentists, there are more than most people realize. Like Dr. Falender, they are thoroughly qualified and trained to perform complex restorative and cosmetic surgical procedures to save lives in the event of a serious accident and to enhance natural beauty. They can treat many forms of injury, capably working in either a controlled or emergency situation. Surgery to correct a severe bite or jaw problem will require the attention of both an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dentists and Oral Surgeons play a pivotally different role in oral health. (1) Website Make an … Corrective Jaw Surgery Experts Commonly referred to as jaw surgery, orthognathic surgery is a special field that can only be performed by a qualified oral/maxillofacial surgeon. They have the qualifications and experience to extract teeth, place dental implants and treat a variety of chronic conditions, including head and neck cancer, obstructive sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). What Are the Licensing Requirements for Periodontists. A board certified oral surgeon is an oral/maxillofacial surgeon, but even so different oral surgeons will have different levels of expertise and comfort in performing certain procedures. When corrective jaw surgery is necessary, oral surgeons work together with orthodontists to develop comprehensive treatment plans. Crooked or crowded teeth aren’t just a cosmetic issue. They can treat many forms of injury, capably working in either a controlled or emergency situation. Dentists earned a median annual salary of $158,390 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An oral surgeon is also trained in anesthesia administration and may perform all levels of sedation and anesthesia. Consequently, patients are best served by working with well-established professionals who can be trusted for long-term commitment to a treatment plan. They are trained to treat problems such as facial deformity and misaligned Oral Surgeons: Changing Lives with a Smile. Crooked or crowded teeth are not just cosmetically imperfect; they can also cause jaw pain, uneven tooth wear and difficulties with oral hygiene. Typical training for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon includes: There are similarities and differences in the education of these practitioners: Each studies local anesthesia, dental anatomy, radiology and periodontology, or … Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the only recognized dental specialists who, after completing dental school, are surgically trained in an American Dental Association-accredited hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years.