An oral surgeon focuses on dental surgical procedures that extend beyond what general dentists are trained to perform. This specialized expertise includes complex tooth extractions, repairing broken bones of the face and jaw, removal of cysts or tumors, and even cancer treatment involving the mouth and jaw areas.
The training of an oral surgeon takes four additional years after earning a dental degree, and includes a hospital-based surgical residency. This is why you want to be sure your surgeon is board certified.
Training
Oral surgeons undergo four or six years of training to hone their surgical skills and become board-certified. Admittance into these programs is competitive, and you’ll need stellar undergraduate transcripts with high marks in calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry.
Basic sciences are integrated into the curriculum through a series of lectures, seminars, dissections, and cadaver labs with other dental students, Weill Cornell Medicine and Otorhinolaryngology residents. A core lecture series covers topics such as oral and maxillofacial pathology, pharmacology, experimental oral surgery, and head and neck anatomy.
Clinical rotations provide broad experience across the spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery, and a dedicated oral surgeon service provides the resident with a unique learning opportunity. In addition, residents actively participate in ongoing basic or clinical research (leading to publications and presentations) with division faculty and Weill Cornell Medicine. This research is a key component of the education of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Specializations
After completing dental school and earning their dental degree, oral surgeons spend another four to six years in hospital-based surgical residency programs. During this time, they train alongside medical residents in departments such as internal medicine, general surgery, anesthesiology, and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat).
Once they’ve completed their specialized training, only then are they considered board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Their certification indicates that they are highly experienced and qualified to perform a variety of specialized procedures including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, jaw surgery, and facial trauma reconstruction.
Some of these specialized procedures include frenectomy, which involves removing the tissue connecting the lips to the gums or tongue in children; and orthognathic surgery, which is used to correct abnormalities of the jaw bones that can cause difficulties in chewing, speaking, and the overall esthetic appearance of the face. In addition, OMFSs are also trained to use various types of anesthesia and can perform surgery in the office under general or IV sedation.
Experience
While dentists can treat certain injuries and diseases of the mouth, gums, jaws, and surrounding structures, they often rely on specialists like oral surgeons for more complex issues such as wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, and reconstructive surgery. Oral surgeons have 4-6 years of hospital-based surgical training beyond dental school to develop expertise in these areas and can treat them with confidence.
Surgeons who specialize in a specific field must have excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. They must also be able to collaborate with other professionals, including restorative dentists and orthodontists, to create comprehensive treatment plans.
Look for an oral surgeon who has a track record of success and who is comfortable working with patients to establish a trusting relationship. Consider their knowledge of a variety of procedures, and ask if they perform IV sedation. You may also want to check whether they prioritize continued education. This ensures they’re always using the most advanced surgical techniques available.
Certification
While all oral surgeons must obtain a license in order to practice dentistry, board certification shows that they have voluntarily chosen to meet and maintain additional standards above and beyond what standard licensing requires. You can find a certified oral surgeon by searching for “Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery” on your local dental association website, or by visiting the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery’s website and using their search tool.
When looking for a qualified and experienced oral surgeon, be sure to schedule consultations with several candidates. This will help you choose the one with the right training and experience to perform your procedure successfully and safely. You can also ask each candidate about their experience with the specific treatment you require and any complications they may have encountered in the past. This will help you feel comfortable and confident in your choice. You can even ask for references from previous patients to gain a better sense of their comfort level and surgical expertise.