TMJ Forum - Difference Between Md, Dds, And An Oral Surgeon?

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > Difference Between Md, Dds, And An Oral Surgeon?

Q: Difference Between Md, Dds, And An Oral Surgeon?

asked by: shavonne_smith on September 14th, 2006

New User

I recently moved to houston from san antonio. My old doctor had dds and md degrees, and he was qualified as an oral surgeon. I am having a difficult time finding someone with the same qualifications in houston. I wanted someone with both a dds and md, but the few people with those qualifications here don't treat tmj. But I have found several people with a dds that are qualified as oral surgeons and claim to specialize in tmj.

Is better or necesary for the person who treats me to have an md, with regard to their skill level? Also, how does this relate to getting treatment costs covered by my insurance?

Thanks,
shavonne smith

Replies(1)

catswolds

replied on September 15th, 2006

Experienced User

Hi shavonne,
i can only answer your question with my experience of having tmj for many years and seeing more dentists and doctors than I would have liked. I say the md degree is not necessary if the person is at least a dds. I have found that usually only oral surgeons have the md. There are lots of really good dds's who specialize in tmj problems. The only problem I can perceive of is if you are taking certain medications that your dds/md prescribed. Dds's do not normally prescribe all medications that might help a tmj patient (that is my experience anyway).

I pray that you will find the perfect tmj specialist to help you in houston. At least you have the advantage of living in a large city. :)

god bless...
Carol

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc