Find the Right Oral Surgeon for You

Written by Nicole Schmidt
Medically Reviewed by Robert Brennan, DDS on February 19, 2025
7 min read

You can find the right oral surgeon with some research and help from experts.

Whether it’s searching for someone to fix a broken jaw or to remove your troublesome wisdom teeth, you can find someone to suit your needs. Your dentist and insurance company can help you find the right oral surgeon for you.

An oral surgeon is a specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions that affect your mouth, teeth, tongue, and gums. This might include procedures like removing your wisdom teeth or placing dental implants. While dentists are usually the ones who offer general oral health care, they may refer you to an oral surgeon for more complicated treatments that require surgery.

Oral surgeons carry out procedures that are more complicated than what can be done in a regular dentist’s office. These include having your wisdom teeth taken out, tooth extractions, dental implants, and bone or gum grafts to strengthen the jawbone or treat receding gums. If you have broken or impacted teeth, severe tooth decay, bone loss in your jaw, or if you’re missing teeth, your dentist may suggest that you see an oral surgeon. 

John Vorrasi, DDS, chair of the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at the University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health, recommends asking your dentist for a referral if you’re looking for an oral surgeon. You can also check with your local hospital center. 

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), which represents thousands of oral surgeons across the U.S., also has an online directory where you can search for oral surgeons based on location, procedure type, and your preferred language. Vorrasi adds that most states also have their own society of oral surgeons, which usually have online resources available.

When choosing your oral surgeon, look for one with the proper training, experience, and certification.

A good oral surgeon will clearly explain the process and answer all of your questions. “It really requires one-on-one interaction to gain that trust, regardless of whether it’s for a very minor surgery or much more major,” says Vorrasi.

Becoming an oral surgeon takes years of education and specialized training. First, they complete an undergraduate degree, followed by four years of dental school. While medical school isn’t required, some oral surgeons choose to earn a medical degree as well.

After dental school, oral surgeons complete at least four years of hospital residency, where they train alongside doctors and surgeons to gain hands-on surgical skills. Once their residency is finished, they need to get a state license before they can start practicing. Some surgeons also pursue fellowships or additional training to further specialize.

In the U.S., oral surgeons can apply for certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery after completing their education and residency. The board evaluates their experience, ethics, and qualifications, ensuring they are up-to-date with best practices and research in the field.

Your first stop should be with your regular dentist, who may have suggested surgery in the first place. They are very likely to have a recommendation. If your dentist recommends an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, they are talking about someone who can treat disease and injuries in and around your mouth.

After they give you a name, ask them these questions:

  • Why do you recommend this surgeon?
  • What are their specialties?
  • What’s this surgeon’s background?
  • Would you go to this surgeon?

You can find doctors who are in your insurer’s network by calling them or visiting their website. Most companies will list doctors by specialty and show you where their offices are.

Make a list, cross-check it with any recommendations you get, and go from there.

You can choose out-of-network doctors, too. But that usually costs more.

There are more than 9,000 oral surgeons in the U.S. If you don’t have a dentist or friends and family who can recommend one, the internet is a great place to start.

Many websites rate surgeons and their offices, so make sure to read the patient reviews carefully on places such as Google or Yelp. One person might see a no-nonsense surgeon as having no bedside manner, while another may appreciate their straightforward approach. Vorrasi warns that most review sites don’t verify if someone has actually visited a practice before leaving a review. To spot genuine reviews, he recommends looking for consistency across multiple reviews and paying attention to detailed, specific comments.

The qualities you look for in an oral surgeon will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and comfort level.

You can find information online about a surgeon’s experience and professional affiliations, either on their websites or through the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ online directory.

Call your state medical board if you need more information about an oral surgeon or their practice.

Find a specialist who has experience in the surgery you need. Dental implant surgery is different than jaw alignment, also called orthognathic surgery. 

Many websites can help you get specific. If the doctor’s specialties aren’t listed -- many will simply say “oral surgery” or something generic -- research again. 

Look for the doctor specifically. See if you can track down a site for the hospital where the doctor works or the doctor’s office. These places may list specialties and have a short biography of the doctor.

Before scheduling any type of treatment, you should ask for an introductory appointment with your potential surgeon. This will give you a chance to understand the procedure, discuss any concerns, and make sure you feel comfortable with the surgeon’s approach. Some questions you may want to ask include: 

  • What is my diagnosis, and when would be the best time to have this surgery based on my condition?
  • What are my treatment options for this procedure?
  • Am I a good candidate for this surgery based on my medical history and current medications?
  • What happens during the procedure? 
  • What type of anesthesia will be used, and how might it affect me?
  • Where will the incisions be, and will there be any visible scarring?
  • What costs will I need to cover?
  • Where will the procedure be performed? 
  • Is this an outpatient surgery? Should I arrange a ride home? 
  • What medications will I need to take before and after surgery? 
  • Should I avoid certain foods after surgery?
  • What does the recovery process look like? How long will it be before I can go back to work and other day-to-day responsibilities?
  • What kind of experience and certification do you have? How often do you perform this type of surgery?
  • What are the potential risks and complications of this surgery, and how do you treat them if they come up?
  • What are the most common complications at your practice?
  • How do I contact you if I have questions or run into any issues after the surgery?

It’s important to check where your surgery will take place. Make sure the hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office is accredited, highly rated, and has experience dealing with surgeries of your type.

If you can’t find the information online, ask the office for it. Also, look for details about the staff and how they care for their patient.

 

It takes a little effort to find the right oral surgeon. But if you do your homework, you’ll have a much better chance of finding the doctor who’s right for you.

If you need an oral surgeon, start by asking your dentist for a referral, checking with your state’s society of oral surgeons, or using an online directory like the one from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Before making any decisions, consult with your prospective surgeon to ask questions about the procedure, costs, recovery, and their experience. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your choice.

How do I verify an oral surgeon's credentials and experience?

You can check an oral surgeon’s credentials through your state’s oral surgery society. You can also use the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ online directory to see if a surgeon is certified. Many surgeons also post their experience on their websites.

How can I assess patient reviews and testimonials?

When reading through patient reviews and testimonials, look for consistency and specificity. Comments that are more detailed are more likely to be real. It’s also a good idea to check multiple review sites to get a more complete picture of a surgeon and their practice.

What should I expect during the recovery process?

Your recovery time and experience will depend on your condition and the type of surgery you had. In general, plan to take it easy for a few days. You may need to stick to soft foods while your mouth heals, and your doctor will likely prescribe medication to help with any pain or discomfort.