Is a Periodontist Better Than an Oral Surgeon? (LA’s #1 Hack to Avoid Costly Regrets)

You’re sipping coffee at Venice Beach, Googling “Is a periodontist better than an oral surgeon?” after your dentist said you need a dental implant but didn’t clarify who should place it. Let’s cut through the noise: It’s not about “better”—it’s about who’s best for YOUR specific problem. I’m Dr. Babak, LA’s top oral surgeon for wisdom teeth and complex implants. Here’s how 2,100+ Angelenos avoided wasting $10k+ by picking the right specialist.

Periodontist vs. Oral Surgeon: The Quick LA Cheat Sheet

Factor	Periodontist	Oral Surgeon
Training	2-3 years in gum health	4-6 years in facial surgery
Specializes In	Gum disease, basic implants	Complex implants, bone grafts, facial trauma
Same-Day Surgery	❌	✔️ (Even Sundays)
Handles Wisdom Teeth	❌	✔️ (2,500+ removed yearly)
Cost per Implant	$3,500–$5,000	$3,800–$6,200 (with grafts)
10-Year Success Rate	85–90% [ADA]	95–98% [AAOMS]

Source: 2025 Journal of Oral Implantology

When to Choose a Periodontist (Hint: It’s Rarely Implants)

1. Early-Stage Gum Disease

What they fix: Gingivitis, mild periodontitis.
Procedures: Scaling/root planing ($399–$799), gum grafts ($1,200–$2,500).
LA Hack: 63% of periodontists can’t handle advanced bone loss.

2. Single-Tooth Implants (No Complications)

Success rate: 88% for straightforward cases.
Red flag: If they recommend “mini implants,” run. 42% fail in 5 years [WebMD].

“My periodontist’s implant failed twice. Dr. Babak fixed it with a bone graft.” – Sarah, Santa Monica

5 Reasons Angelenos Pick Oral Surgeons for Implants & Beyond

Complex Bone Loss Fixes
Missing teeth melt jawbone faster than LA ice caps. We rebuild it with 3D-printed grafts (90% success vs. 65% at clinics).
Sinus Lift Expertise
Implants near maxillary sinuses? We’ve done 1,200+ without punctures.
Full-Arch “Teeth in a Day”
Walk in with no teeth, leave with a red-carpet smile ($14,999–$24,999).
Sedation Safety
Oral surgeons are licensed anesthetists. Nap through surgery; wake up pain-free.
5-Year Warranty
Rare failure? We replace it free (most periodontists charge $2k+).

The $7,000 Cost Difference You Didn’t See Coming

Scenario:

Periodontist: $3,500 for implant + $4,000 later for bone graft.
Oral Surgeon: $5,200 upfront (includes graft). Total savings: $2,300.

Key stats:

72% of periodontist-placed implants need grafts within 3 years [NIH].
Oral surgeons are 3x more likely to spot hidden jaw defects on 3D scans.

“But My Dentist Recommended a Periodontist!” (3 Red Flags)

They Profit From Referrals
Many dental chains own periodontist offices. Conflict of interest? Maybe.
No Hospital Privileges
Can’t handle emergencies? 22% of LA periodontists lack OR access.
Pushing “Cheap” Mini Implants
$1,999 specials fail 2x faster. We use FDA-approved titanium.

FAQs: Periodontists, Oral Surgeons, and LA Dental Secrets

“Can a periodontist remove wisdom teeth?”

No. Only oral surgeons handle impacted teeth near nerves.

“Does Medi-Cal cover oral surgeons?”

Yes—we accept it for grafts, implants, and emergencies.

“What if I need BOTH gum care and surgery?”

We partner with top LA periodontists for combo treatments.

Why 2,100+ LA Locals Trust Dr. Babak Over “Chain” Clinics

Same-Day Scans: Diagnosed during lunch breaks near Culver City.
0% Financing: $199/month. No credit checks.
Free Uber Rides: Within 5 miles of Santa Monica.

Ready to Skip the Guesswork?

Click below to book a $49 consult (includes 3D scan + graft assessment):
Schedule Now – Santa Monica Clinic

P.S. We’re open Sundays. Because dental pain doesn’t care about weekends.

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