How to Choose the Right Oral Surgeon

Choosing the right oral surgeon is one of the most important healthcare decisions you'll make. Whether you need wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, jaw surgery, or treatment for facial trauma, the skill and experience of your oral surgeon directly impacts your outcome, comfort, and recovery.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision—from understanding credentials and certifications to asking the right questions and recognizing red flags.

Understanding Oral Surgeon Credentials

Not all oral surgeons have the same training or qualifications. Understanding these credentials helps you identify truly qualified specialists.

What is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a dental specialist who has completed:

• 4 years of dental school (earning a DDS or DMD degree)
• 4-6 years of hospital-based surgical residency focused on oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Optional medical degree (MD or DO) completed during residency by some surgeons (dual-degree training)

This extensive training—8 to 10+ years beyond college—qualifies oral surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures involving the teeth, jaws, face, and neck.

Board Certification: The Gold Standard

Board certification is voluntary but represents the highest standard of excellence in oral surgery. A board-certified oral surgeon has:

• Completed an accredited oral surgery residency program
• Practiced oral surgery for at least 2 years post-residency
• Passed rigorous written and oral examinations administered by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and maintaining current knowledge

Hospital Privileges Matter

Hospital privileges indicate that a surgeon has been vetted by a hospital's credentialing committee and is authorized to perform surgeries there. This matters because:

• Hospitals thoroughly review credentials, training, and malpractice history
• Surgeons maintain hospital privileges by demonstrating ongoing competence
• If complications arise, the surgeon can treat you in a hospital setting
• It's a sign of professional standing in the medical community

Ask potential surgeons: "Do you have hospital privileges, and at which hospitals?"

Evaluating Experience and Expertise

Procedure-Specific Experience

Oral surgeons often develop subspecialty expertise. When choosing a surgeon, consider:

Your Procedure	Questions to Ask	What to Look For
Wisdom Teeth Removal	How many wisdom teeth extractions do you perform monthly?	50+ per month indicates high volume and experience
Dental Implants	How many implants have you placed? What's your success rate?	500+ implants placed, 95%+ success rate
Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic)	How many jaw surgeries do you perform annually?	At least 20-30 cases/year, fellowship training preferred
TMJ Treatment	What percentage of your practice focuses on TMJ?	TMJ fellowship or 25%+ of practice dedicated to TMJ
Bone Grafting	Which bone grafting techniques do you use?	Experience with multiple techniques (autograft, allograft, xenograft)
Facial Trauma	Do you take emergency calls at a trauma center?	Active trauma call, hospital-based experience

Years in Practice

While experience is valuable, it's not the only factor:

• Recent graduates: Have the most current training and knowledge of new techniques
• Mid-career (5-15 years): Balance experience with current knowledge
• Seasoned surgeons (15+ years): Extensive experience but verify they stay current with continuing education

What matters most is ongoing learning—ask about recent courses, conferences, or new technologies they've adopted.

Office Environment and Technology

Modern Equipment and Technology

Advanced technology improves accuracy, safety, and outcomes. Look for:

Safety and Sterilization

A clean, well-organized office reflects attention to detail and patient safety:

• Observe whether staff wash hands or use gloves between patients
• Look for instruments in sealed sterilization pouches
• Check that surfaces appear clean and are wiped between patients
• Ask about sterilization protocols—proper offices should be happy to explain

Office Atmosphere

First impressions matter. During your consultation, notice:

• Staff professionalism: Are they courteous, organized, and respectful?
• Wait times: Long waits may indicate overbooking or poor scheduling
• Communication: Do staff answer questions clearly and thoroughly?
• Patient comfort: Is the office clean, comfortable, and welcoming?

Questions to Ask During Your Consultation

About Credentials and Experience

1. "Are you board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?"
   Expected answer: Yes, plus year of certification
2. "Where did you complete your residency training?"
   Look for accredited programs—you can verify on AAOMS website
3. "Do you have hospital privileges? At which hospitals?"
   Should name specific local hospitals
4. "How many [specific procedure] have you performed?"
   Should give specific numbers, not vague answers like "many"
5. "What percentage of your practice is devoted to [your procedure]?"
   Higher percentage = more specialized expertise

About Your Specific Procedure

1. "What does my procedure involve, step by step?"
   A good surgeon explains clearly in terms you understand
2. "What are the potential risks and complications?"
   Transparency about risks shows honesty and informed consent
3. "What's your complication rate for this procedure?"
   Should be willing to discuss outcomes honestly
4. "What type of anesthesia will I receive?"
   Options: local, IV sedation, general anesthesia
5. "Who administers the anesthesia?"
   The surgeon, a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist
6. "How long is the expected recovery time?"
   Should provide realistic timeline with activity restrictions
7. "What happens if there are complications?"
   Should explain follow-up care and emergency protocols

About Costs and Insurance

1. "What is the total cost of my procedure?"
   Should provide itemized estimate including surgery, anesthesia, facility fees
2. "Do you accept my insurance? Are you in-network?"
   In-network saves significant money
3. "What portion will my insurance cover?"
   Office should help determine coverage before procedure
4. "Do you offer payment plans or financing?"
   Many offices work with CareCredit or offer in-house financing
5. "What costs are included in the quoted price?"
   Clarify whether follow-ups, imaging, or medications cost extra

About Post-Operative Care

1. "What post-operative care is included?"
   Should include follow-up visits for healing checks
2. "How can I reach you if I have problems after hours?"
   Should provide emergency contact number
3. "Do you personally handle post-op complications, or does another surgeon cover?"
   Continuity of care is ideal

Evaluating Patient Reviews and Reputation

Where to Look for Reviews

• Google Reviews: Most comprehensive and difficult to fake
• Healthgrades: Physician ratings and background information
• Vitals: Verified patient reviews with detailed ratings
• RateMDs: Anonymous reviews (take with a grain of salt)
• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS): Find a surgeon tool

How to Interpret Reviews

Green Flags in Reviews

• "Took time to explain everything thoroughly"
• "Gentle technique, minimal pain"
• "Office called to check on me after surgery"
• "Transparent about costs upfront"
• "Handled my complication professionally"
• "Modern, clean office with friendly staff"
• "Easy to get appointments, minimal wait times"

Red Flags to Avoid

Insurance Considerations

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network

Understanding network status can save you thousands:

Factor	In-Network Surgeon	Out-of-Network Surgeon
Cost	Lower out-of-pocket costs; negotiated rates	Higher costs; balance billing possible
Coverage	Typically 50-80% covered after deductible	Often 0-50% covered or not covered at all
Deductible	Counts toward in-network deductible	May have separate, higher out-of-network deductible
Surprise Bills	Rare; pre-negotiated rates	Possible; surgeon can bill above insurance allowance
Pre-Authorization	Usually easier and faster	May be more difficult or denied

Important: Always verify network status directly with your insurance company and the surgeon's office. Provider directories are sometimes outdated.

Getting Pre-Authorization

For major procedures (dental implants, jaw surgery), get pre-authorization from your insurance:

1. Ask the surgeon's office to submit a pre-authorization request with diagnostic records
2. Insurance reviews and determines coverage amount
3. You receive written confirmation of what's covered before surgery
4. This prevents surprise denials after your procedure

Second Opinions: When and Why

Getting a second opinion is standard practice for:

• Complex or expensive procedures (jaw surgery, full mouth implants)
• When you're unsure about the recommended treatment plan
• If the first surgeon recommends aggressive treatment for a mild problem
• When your insurance requires it for major procedures
• If you simply don't feel comfortable with the first surgeon

Compare second opinions looking for:

• Agreement on diagnosis (both surgeons should identify the same problem)
• Different treatment approaches (conservative vs. aggressive)
• Significantly different cost estimates (investigate why)
• Who explains things more clearly and makes you feel comfortable

Making Your Final Decision

Trust Your Instincts

After researching credentials and asking questions, consider:

• Communication: Did the surgeon explain things clearly? Did you feel heard?
• Comfort: Do you feel confident in this person operating on you?
• Transparency: Were costs, risks, and alternatives discussed openly?
• Professionalism: Did the surgeon and staff treat you respectfully?

Weighing the Factors

Prioritize factors in this order:

1. Board certification and credentials (non-negotiable minimum standard)
2. Specific experience with your procedure (volume matters)
3. Patient reviews and reputation (patterns over isolated complaints)
4. Communication and comfort (you need to trust this person)
5. Insurance coverage (in-network saves money)
6. Location and convenience (important but not the top factor)

Cost should not be your primary deciding factor. The cheapest surgeon may cost you more in the long run through complications, poor results, or the need for revision surgery.