What is an Oral Surgeon?
An oral surgeon (also known as OMS, OMFS or oral and maxillofacial surgeon), is a surgical specialist of the dental profession. Oral surgeons have extensive training and education that qualifies them to treat conditions, defects, and injuries of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face.
The first time many people meet with an OMS is often to develop a plan for wisdom teeth management, but this is just one aspect of what we do.
Oral surgeon vs. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
You’ve probably heard of an “oral surgeon” before, but the full name our specialty is actually oral and maxillofacial surgery. While dentists and periodontists can and often do perform minor oral surgery, they are not oral surgeons.
Following dental school, an OMS completes a minimum of four to six additional years of surgical training in a hospital-based residency program. This intense training sets oral surgeons apart from their dental colleagues and makes them the most highly trained surgical specialists of the dental field.
What do oral surgeons do during 4-6 years of training?
During their residency program, OMSs gain experience working as medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery and anesthesiology. They also spend time in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), plastic surgery, emergency medicine and other specialty areas. Some oral surgeons even earn their medical degree by completing medical school during their training. Learn more about the excellent training that Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman went through.
Why can oral surgeons perform IV sedation and dental anesthesia?
Oral surgeons train extensively with anesthesiologists for your safety and comfort. No other medical or dental specialty requires this training, which makes an OMS uniquely qualified to administer IV sedation and general anesthesia in a safe and effective way.
Is an oral surgeon the same as an oral dental surgeon?
We are most commonly known as oral and maxillofacial surgeons, but people call us all different things! A few other less common names that we are referred to by are oral dental surgeon, dental surgeon, dentist oral surgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, oral maxillofacial surgeon, and emergency oral surgeon. No matter what you want to call us, we hope after your oral surgery you’ll confidently tell your friends “I found the best oral surgeon near me!”
Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman offer oral surgery services to the Five Towns in Long Island, New York and surrounding towns on the South Shore of Nassau County including Woodmere NY • Hewlett NY • Cedarhurst NY • Valley Stream NY • Woodsburgh NY • Lawrence NY • Inwood NY • Far Rockaway NY • Lynbrook NY • Oceanside NY • Rockville Centre NY