Prosthodontist Vs. Oral Surgeon: Understanding The Difference

If you need extensive dental work to replace damaged or missing teeth, you may be wondering whether a prosthodontist or an oral surgeon is the right specialist to get your smile back to optimal health. At Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant, we want you to know what to expect from an expert prosthodontist and be fully informed about the care we offer at our office.

What Is A Prosthodontist? Specialists In Restoring & Replacing Your Teeth

Prosthodontists are dental specialists who focus primarily on restoring damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth. From dental crowns to dental bridges, dentures, veneers, dental and implants, a prosthodontist will focus on restoring your smile and your bite with restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

To earn this specialization, prosthodontists must go through additional schooling and education. Prosthodontists have a DDS or DMD and are qualified dentists, and they also go through three years of additional residency and training through an ADA-accredited graduate program.

What Is An Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon? Specialists In Oral Surgeries Of All Types

An oral surgeon, also known as an “oral and maxillofacial surgeon” (OMS) specializes in treating all kinds of health problems related to the hard and soft tissues of your mouth, face, and jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform a huge variety of specialized oral surgeries, including orthognathic (jaw) surgery, cleft palate surgery, surgical tooth extractions, and more.

Due to the complexity and specialization of this field, oral and maxillofacial surgeons require quite a bit of schooling. After dental school, an oral surgeon must undertake either four or six years of residency training. In some cases, they will also earn a medical degree during this time. The average length of training for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is 12-14 years.

Which Specialist Is Right for Me?

This depends on your oral health and the specifics of your case. If you have multiple missing or damaged teeth and you want to restore your smile, a prosthodontist is the best choice. This is their area of expertise, so a prosthodontist will deliver fantastic results, and restore your smile quickly.

However, if you have an issue like a broken or fractured jaw, require corrective jaw surgery, or require facial reconstructive surgery after a serious accident or injury, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be better.

Contact Our Prosthodontist Today

Call Advanced Dentistry Of Mount Pleasant Today!

At Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant, Dr. Candice Vinson is always here to help you restore your damaged or missing teeth. As an experienced prosthodontist, Dr. Vinson specializes in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. To get started, just contact us at (843) 936-1690, or stop by our office at 1149 Oakland Market Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466. We hope to see you soon.

Learn More about Advanced Dentistry

When Do I Replace My Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are made from a variety of materials, including composite resin, porcelain, gold, or an amalgam (a mix of metals).

What’s The Difference Between A Prosthodontist And An Implantologist?

If you’re considering dental implants in Mount Pleasant, you may be wondering whether you should see a prosthodontist or an implantologist. What do these specialists do? What makes them different? The team at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant wants to make sure you have all the facts when it comes to your implant treatment and your dental healthcare provider.

Do I Need A Referral To See A Prosthodontist? What You Need To Know

If you need restorative dentistry in Mount Pleasant and you’re thinking about seeing a prosthodontist like Dr. Candice Vinson, you may not know how to get started. Do you need a referral from a general dentist, or can you simply schedule an appointment? How can you make sure you pick a highly-qualified prosthodontist? Get answers to these questions and more in this blog from Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant.