The oral surgeon dentist difference is an important one. A regular Queen Creek or Gilbert AZ dentist is like your personal physician. Every physician needs to see their dentist regularly for care and maintenance. When you need something special, you go to oral and facial surgeons of Arizona. Not everyone will need a maxillofacial doctor in Queen Creek, but if you do, you’ll be thankful for the expertise.
Oral Surgeon Dentist vs Dentist
A regular dentist in Gilbert AZ oversees your routine checkups. Cavities are filled, and teeth are bonded in the hands of these highly skilled professionals. If you need something more, they may refer you to Arizona oral surgeons, such as our oral facial surgery center.
A general dentist must complete four years of dental school after their four-year bachelor’s degree. They must pass an exam to become certified to do dental work. You can count on their expertise for cavities and other dental issues that don’t impact the jaw bone.
Dentists send patients to an oral and maxillofacial doctor when they believe the patient needs more. An oral surgeon dentist has advanced training. They are prepared for life-threatening complications, and they have specialized equipment to do more than a traditional dentist.
With maxillofacial training, an oral surgeon dentist goes beyond teeth to include the jaw and delicate soft tissues. To do implants, an oral surgeon must know how to insert the implant into bone and to get the bone to grow around it. A maxillofacial doctor understands how to reconstruct a jaw that has been damaged or that needs a correction due to TMJ or other deterioration.
An oral surgeon dentist has had medical training in a hospital as well as the traditional dental training. After an oral surgeon candidate completes dental school, they go on to six years of residency that will prepare them for surgery. Whether it’s for an in-office tooth extraction or a hospital-based reconstructive surgery, they must have a full knowledge of anesthesia and are certified to use it for patients who need it. Before they can practice, they must be certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
Dr. Donavan Hansen received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Having earned the ABOMAS Dental Student Award, he went on to the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. He received oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty training before receiving his ABOMAS certification. Training focused on hospital-based and office-based care of the teeth and jaw. The Department of Anesthesiology oversaw his training in intravenous and general anesthesia.
What Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?
Dr. Hansen has all skills, training and certification that is needed do orthognathic surgery, TMJ surgery and jaw reconstruction. His certification includes office-based oral surgery, dental implants, dental extractions, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting, and oral biopsies.
At the first sign of any difficulty, the Desert Valley oral surgery center is ready. Dr. Hansen’s certifications include Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. Like any good oral surgeon, his emphasis is on being prepared just in case. If you want dental implants, if your child needs wisdom teeth removed, or if you have jaw problems, it’s only logical that you would come to our oral and maxillofacial surgery center.
Let us know how we can help you have a healthier mouth and a better smile. In the meantime, be sure to see your dentist for regular dental checkups. Our online referral form makes it easy for your dentist to refer you to our care.