Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

If you have a cavity or pain somewhere in your mouth, you'll want to visit your dentist. If you've had an injury in or near your mouth that has damaged your jaw or your teeth, you may need to visit a prosthodontist, otherwise known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. You may wonder what the difference is between a dentist and a prosthodontist. They both work with your mouth and teeth, but the scope of the problem will determine which one you need to visit. Keep reading to find out more about the differences between these two types of dentists and how a prosthodontist like those at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics can help restore your smile.

Dentist vs. Prosthodontist

Both a dentist and a prosthodontist have attended dental school after finishing college. Dental school students study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and oral surgery over a four-year course of study. These students also go through clinical practicum to get hands-on experience working with patients and diagnosing dental issues. Once they receive their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), a budding dentist must pass a licensure test before they can practice dentistry.

A budding prosthodontist must do more. Before they can become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, they must go through a four-to-six-year surgical residency. During this time, they will study oral pathology, oral surgery, and anesthesia. Along with medical residents, they also study otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, and emergency medicine. They learn everything required to be able to practice competently. When their complete their residence, they take a board certification exam.

Care at the Dentist's Office vs. Care at the Prosthodontist's Office

There are many services provided by your dentist. This is where you go for teeth cleaning, x-rays, and dental exams meant to check for any problems with your teeth, gums, and jaw. Your dentist fills cavities, sorts out gum issues, performs root canals, and places veneers, bridges, and crowns. Dentists also offer suggestions for the best way to take care of your teeth and gums so they will stay healthy for many years to come. If any of your dental problems are more complicated, your dentist may refer you to a prosthodontist.

Just as we do at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, a prosthodontist not only provides some of the same services as a general dentist—bridges, crowns, and fillings—but also provides more involved procedures. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon supports the treatment and rehabilitation of a variety of dental conditions. These include, but are not limited to, TMJ/TMD, injuries of the face and mouth, congenital differences of the mouth or teeth, sleep disorders, and reconstruction and care after oral cancer. A prosthodontist also extracts teeth and installs implants to replace missing teeth.

A Closer Look at Procedures

There are many procedures that a prosthodontist can perform. Let's take a closer look at just a few of these specialty services, all provided here at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics.

Tooth Extractions/Implants

If you are having trouble with a tooth that cannot be resolved with treatment by a general dentist, you may need to have that tooth (or teeth, if multiples are involved) extracted. This goes for issues with impacted or infected wisdom teeth.

Whether you have had a tooth or teeth extracted or lost a tooth or teeth in an accident, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is qualified to install implants to replace those missing teeth. This procedure may take some time, but when completed, no one will ever know the replacement teeth aren't your own.

Dentures

Sometimes, dentures are needed to replace a group of missing teeth. A prosthodontist is trained in restorative dentistry and in crafting dentures which will feel just like real teeth. A general dentist may not be able to do the oral surgery necessary to make dentures fit perfectly.

Your prosthodontist will use the latest dental technology to take impressions for your dentures. In fact, here at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, we offer All-on-Four implants. All-on-Four involves just four dental implants to attach a full dental restoration. There's no wait time to get your dentures placed on these implants. The entire process is done in one day; your smile will be restored without a wait beyond a wait for the day of your appointment.

TMJ/TMD Treatment

If you have TMJ or TMD, your temporomandibular joint may be causing you great pain. It may hurt to eat or speak. To relieve your TMJ/TMD symptoms, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon might employ one of several solutions. First, they may fit you for a stabilization/occlusal splint, or a bite guard. This custom-made device goes over either your lower or upper teeth and helps control the interaction between your upper and lower teeth. The splint puts your temporomandibular joint in the correct place and offers the tissues in the area time to repair themselves.

In addition to or in place of a splint, a prosthodontist may recommend physical therapy for your jaw or treatment with medication. Whichever treatment is prescribed, the goal is to regain pain-free movement of your jaw so you can dine and chat to your heart's content.

Facial Surgery

If your jaw is misaligned, this can cause difficulty chewing, speaking, and breathing. A prosthodontist can surgically realign your upper jaw, your lower jaw, or both to alleviate these issues. If a child is born with a cleft lip or a cleft palate—when parts of the mouth and the nasal cavity don't grow properly during fetal development—the result may be major problems with feeding, hearing, or speech. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is trained to perform surgery and offer treatment to correct this condition.

Sometimes, bones in the face can become fractured in an accident. A prosthodontist is uniquely qualified to team with other doctors, such as plastic surgeons or otolaryngologists to help repair that damage. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon may also assist in repairing facial areas damaged after oral cancer surgery.

Prosthodontic Help Today

If your general dentist has referred you to a prosthodontist, rest assured that these surgeons have been trained to help people with issues that deeply affect their day-to-day lives. Be sure to research your local providers to find one that is qualified to help with your specific problem.

If you live in the Spokane area and need an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, contact us at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics. We're here to help you get your smile back.