To become board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral surgeons must complete a number of requirements, including:
Dental school: Oral surgeons must first graduate from an accredited dental school and obtain a DDS or DMD degree.
Residency program: Oral surgeons must then complete a four- to six-year residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which includes both didactic and clinical training.
Written and oral exams: After completing their residency, oral surgeons must pass written and oral exams administered by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
To give you an idea of what JUST the written exams comprise, read on. The written exam for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) certification program is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a range of topics, including:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
- Pathology
- Diagnostic methods
- Anesthesia
- Pain management
- Surgical principles and techniques
- Reconstructive surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Orthognathic surgery
- Tumor surgery
Not what you’d call a cake walk.
The written exam is typically administered over a two-day period, with approximately 400 questions in total. It is graded on a pass/fail basis, and candidates must pass the written exam in order to progress to the oral exam. The oral exam is a more intensive evaluation of a candidate’s knowledge and skills, and includes both a clinical and a written component.
Maintenance of certification: To maintain their board certification, oral surgeons must participate in continuing education and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the highest standards of patient care.
The process of becoming board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery is rigorous and requires a significant investment of time and resources. However, this specialized training enables oral surgeons to provide the highest level of care to their patients.
Therefore, an experienced, board-certified oral surgeon can provide some distinct advantages over other options when it comes to having dental implant surgery done.
Expertise: Oral surgeons are specialists in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, which includes the placement of dental implants. They undergo additional training beyond dental school and are skilled in the most advanced techniques for implant placement.
Safety: Oral surgeons operate in accredited surgical facilities and follow strict protocols to ensure patient safety.
Comfort: Oral surgeons are trained in the administration of conscious sedation and can provide a more comfortable experience for patients who are anxious about the procedure.
Success rate: Oral surgeons have a high success rate for dental implant surgery due to their specialized training and experience.
Comprehensive care: Oral surgeons can provide comprehensive care for patients, including the placement of dental implants as well as any necessary extractions, bone grafting, or sinus lifts.
Maybe it’s a bit more clear now why It is important to choose a qualified and experienced oral surgeon for dental implant surgery to ensure the best possible outcomes.