Another dentist type question

[RPMDAD]

The dentists office my wife goes to has an oral surgeon on staff at his office. She just got back from a cleaning and checkup and they have referred her to a Maxillofacial surgeon to have a tooth extracted, it is not a wisdom tooth, son just went to the same dentists office and had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted by the resident oral surgeon.
I am curious what is the difference between an oral surgeon and a Maxillofacial surgeon for a tooth extraction. I could not see to many differences googling it. Pardon me, i am sure oral surgeons and Maxillofacial surgeons, probably don't liked to get lumped under the term dentists, and i mean no disrespect, i just don't have the slightest clue what the difference between them is.

 

[getbent]

I believe even if there is a difference they both can extract teeth. Unless for some reason the on staff oral surgeon felt the ext was beyond his capabilities. Seems odd.

 

[hotmomma]

Did you ask the office the reason they were referring out? I think they may have a personal reason for referring out, not a medical one.

 

[Katt]

It could mean there is a maxilla factor in the extraction. the maxilla is the upper arch and involves sinuses and other boney structures. If there is something more involved, I'd go to the Maxilla facial surgeon, just to be sure. they both pull teeth, but sometimes you need a more exact procedure. JMHO

 

[Roman]

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

I am working part-time for an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon. As far as I know, they are one & the same. I think I know what Practice your Wife goes too, and the Surgeon there can't give Sedation other than maybe Nitrus Oxide (Laughing Gas). If your Wife is a nervous Dental Patient, and believe me..she is NOT alone, the Dental Practice probably refered her out to a Surgeon that can give her IV Sedation. If she does go to the Practice I'm thinking about, they are working on getting the licensure to be able to give IV Sedation. Either way..she is in GOOD hands.