{"id":137,"date":"2026-03-08T20:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T20:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conestogaoms.com\/blog\/?p=137"},"modified":"2026-06-08T20:59:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:59:50","slug":"general-dentist-vs-oral-surgeon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conestogaoms.com\/blog\/general-dentist-vs-oral-surgeon\/","title":{"rendered":"General Dentist Vs. Oral Surgeon: What Is the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Choosing the right dental care provider is not always easy or straightforward. Most people are familiar with their general dentist. They are the providers patients see for routine exams, fillings, crowns, and oral hygiene maintenance. However, when a dentist refers a patient to an oral surgeon<\/a>, a common question arises: \u201cWhy can\u2019t my dentist just do this?\u201d The answer lies in specialized education, training, surgical expertise, and the scope of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Training and Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While both professionals begin with undergraduate studies and then attend dental school to obtain either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, their career paths differ after earning this degree. A general dentist may start practicing right away, focusing on preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of common dental problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, on the other hand, complete an additional 4 to 6 years of hospital-based residency and anesthesia training, which focuses on complex procedures involving the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. Many oral surgeons, including a few surgeons of our team, earn a medical degree (MD) during their residency training, completing medical school alongside their surgical education. This dual degree provides them with comprehensive medical and surgical knowledge that goes beyond the scope of general dentistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roles in Your Oral Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

General dentists and oral surgeons work collaboratively to support a patient\u2019s oral health. Your general dentist serves as your \u201cprimary care provider\u201d for your oral health, performing routine checkups, cleanings, fillings, and other common treatments. Often, a patient\u2019s general dentist is the first to diagnose issues such as impacted wisdom teeth<\/a>, missing teeth, bone loss, or teeth that cannot be safely removed in a traditional dental setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some general dentists can perform straightforward extractions or place simple implants<\/a>, more complex procedures often require the expertise of an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons are specially trained to handle advanced surgical cases, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n