When you need your teeth cleaned, you go to a general dentist, and when you have alignment or bite problems, you go to an orthodontist. If you require surgery to the face or mouth, a diagnosis for an oral health condition, or anesthesia for oral surgery, an oral surgeon is the right specialist to see.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and manage simple to complex medical conditions in the head, neck, mouth, and face. A general dentist or doctor may refer you to an oral surgeon if you require any type of surgery to these areas or if you need anesthesia for a dental procedure. Oral surgeons can safely administer all forms of anesthesia, which allows them to ensure a safe and comfortable surgical experience for all ages and all oral surgery procedures.
Oral surgeons offer a range of services and can manage many conditions in both children and adults, including:
Oral surgeons like Dr. Robert B. Ioppolo are experts in managing these conditions while providing patients with a positive and beneficial surgical experience. If you would like to learn more about these services or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our office in Lubbock, TX, today.
In total, it takes between 12 and 14 years of schooling to become an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons must first earn a dental degree, which involves four years of dental study. After dental school, they complete a 4–6 year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program. Residency training teaches the surgeon how to manage many oral health conditions and provides hands-on experience in a hospital setting. Oral surgeons are the only dental professionals who are qualified to administer anesthesia, which they learn during this residency period.
All oral surgeons are dentists, but not all dentists are oral surgeons. These additional years of training sets oral surgeons apart, and general dentists will refer patients to a surgeon if the patient needs surgery or requires anesthesia for treatment. Some oral surgeons pursue additional training after their residency to specialize in a particular area of oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as oral pathology, cleft lip and palate repair, or many others.
When you are looking for an oral surgeon, it’s helpful to know what to look for to find the right fit for your needs. Look for a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which is a prestigious certification that demonstrates the surgeon’s skill, expertise, and dedication to patient care.
Feel free to ask a surgeon about their credentials, training, and education. You can also view the practice’s website to make sure they offer the service you’re looking for. Refer to online reviews to hear what other patients have to say and remember that you have the power to choose who you receive care from.
When you and your loved ones need oral surgery, you can depend on Dr. Ioppolo and his team to provide the highest standard of care. Dr. Ioppolo is board-certified and offers the full scope of oral surgery treatments for patients of all ages. Contact Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock to schedule your consultation at our office in Lubbock, TX.
