A general dentist (DDS or DMD) provides preventive and restorative treatments like cleanings, fillings, and routine extractions. An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) is a specialist treating complex conditions of the mouth, jaw, and face. Oral surgeons charge higher fees due to the significantly greater investment in specialized education, training, and operational structure required for advanced surgical procedures.
The Foundational Difference in Fees
The higher base fee schedule is primarily due to extensive post-graduate education. After four years of dental school, an OMS completes an additional four to six years of hospital-based surgical residency training. This specialized path often includes obtaining a medical degree (MD), resulting in greater cumulative educational debt.
The inherent risk of complex surgery translates directly into a higher operational cost structure. Oral surgeons face substantially higher malpractice insurance premiums than general dentists. Due to the invasive nature of their procedures, OMS premiums can range from $30,000 to over $50,000 annually, compared to $2,000 to $15,000.
Specialized surgical equipment and facility maintenance contribute further to increased overhead. An oral surgeon’s office requires specialized instrumentation for bone cutting, fixation, and tissue manipulation, which is unnecessary for most general dental offices. This significant investment in advanced technology is built into the cost of every procedure.
Procedure Complexity and Facility Requirements
The type of procedure performed is the greatest factor influencing the cost disparity. A simple tooth extraction by a general dentist may cost $70 to $250, significantly less than a surgical extraction by an OMS. For example, the removal of a deeply impacted wisdom tooth, a procedure nearly exclusive to oral surgeons, can cost between $225 and $1,100 per tooth.
The need for deep sedation or general anesthesia adds a substantial, separate fee to the total bill. Oral surgeons are uniquely trained and licensed to administer these deep levels of anesthesia in an outpatient setting. This service requires specialized monitoring equipment and pharmaceutical agents, and general anesthesia costs range from $400 to $600 per hour, billed separately from the surgeon’s fee.
Administering anesthesia necessitates the presence of a dedicated professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist, whose fee is added to the cost. Major procedures like corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) or facial trauma repair are exclusively performed by an OMS. Total fees for these complex procedures can range from $20,000 to $40,000, reflecting the time and complexity involved.
Navigating Insurance Coverage and Payment
Understanding how insurance applies is important, as oral surgery costs often cross the boundary between dental and medical coverage. Dental insurance policies are designed for routine care, typically capping coverage at a low annual maximum benefit of $1,000 to $2,000 per year. For expensive surgical procedures, this maximum is quickly exhausted, leaving the patient responsible for the remainder.
Complex procedures deemed “medically necessary,” such as corrective jaw surgery for functional impairment, biopsies, or facial trauma repair, may be covered by medical insurance. Medical plans often have high deductibles, but once met, they cover a higher percentage of costs and lack the low annual maximum of dental plans. The surgeon’s office will often bill the medical insurance first to maximize patient benefits.
Patients should always request a pre-authorization from the surgeon’s office for any planned procedure to obtain a written estimate of coverage. This process clarifies which insurance plan is primary, the estimated out-of-pocket costs, and whether the surgeon is in-network with your medical or dental plan. Using an in-network provider will lower the final financial responsibility, as the fee is based on a negotiated contract rate.