Whether you've been referred by your dentist or are searching on your own, choosing the right oral surgeon matters. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty requiring significant additional training beyond dental school - and not all surgeons have the same level of qualifications or experience.
Here's what to look for when evaluating oral surgeons in the Indianapolis area.
1. Board Certification
Board certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) is the gold standard credential in the specialty. To become board-certified, a surgeon must:
- Complete a 4- or 6-year hospital-based surgical residency after dental school
- Pass comprehensive written and oral examinations
- Demonstrate clinical competence across the full scope of the specialty
- Maintain certification through ongoing continuing education
Not all oral surgeons are board-certified. Look for "Board Certified" explicitly stated on the practice's website or ask directly.
All three surgeons at Oral Surgeons of Indiana are board-certified by the ABOMS.
2. Residency Training
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete either a 4-year (dental degree focus) or 6-year residency (includes medical degree and surgical internship) after graduating from dental school. Six-year programs provide additional medical and hospital surgical training.
Ask about your surgeon's residency training and where they trained.
3. Experience With Your Specific Procedure
Experience matters, particularly for complex procedures like implants in cases with significant bone loss, bone grafting, or facial trauma reconstruction. Ask how many times your surgeon has performed your specific procedure and what their outcomes look like.
A general oral surgeon may be excellent for routine extractions but may refer complex cases to a specialist - and that's actually a sign of a good doctor.
4. Hospital Privileges
Oral surgeons who have privileges at a local hospital have undergone additional credentialing review. This is particularly relevant if you have significant medical conditions that may require hospital-based surgery.
5. Anesthesia Capabilities
If you want or need IV sedation or general anesthesia for your procedure, make sure the practice is properly licensed to provide it. Ask who administers the anesthesia and what monitoring equipment is used - at our practice, sedation is administered directly by your board-certified oral surgeon.
6. Technology and Imaging
Modern oral surgery practices use cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging for 3D evaluation of your teeth, bone, and anatomy. This is particularly important for implant planning, impacted teeth, bone graft planning, and pathology evaluation.
7. Patient Reviews and Reputation
Online reviews on Google, Healthgrades, and other platforms can provide valuable insight into real patient experiences. Look for patterns in reviews - are patients consistently describing a caring, professional team? Are concerns addressed promptly?
Oral Surgeons of Indiana has been serving Central Indiana since 1998, with thousands of satisfied patients throughout the community.
8. Referring Dentist Network
Most patients are referred to oral surgeons by their dentist. Ask your dentist who they trust for complex cases - this is often the best endorsement you can get.
Why Patients Choose Oral Surgeons of Indiana
- Three board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Serving Indianapolis since 1998
- Advanced cone beam CT imaging on-site
- IV sedation available for all appropriate procedures
- Strong referring dentist relationships throughout Central Indiana
- Warm, patient-centered team
Match the Surgeon to Your Procedure
Different procedures call for different strengths, so it helps to think about what you actually need before you choose. If you are facing third molar surgery, look for a practice that performs wisdom teeth removal routinely and offers sedation options that fit your comfort level. If you are replacing missing teeth, ask specifically about the surgeon's experience with dental implants and, when bone volume is a concern, with bone grafting procedures such as socket preservation and sinus lifts.
Complex cases reward planning. A surgeon who relies on 3D cone beam CT imaging can map nerves, sinuses, and bone density before ever picking up an instrument, which lowers the risk of surprises during surgery. Ask whether imaging is performed on-site and how it factors into your treatment plan.
Logistics and Comfort Matter Too
Credentials are essential, but the day-to-day details shape your experience just as much. Consider how easy the office is to reach from where you live, whether that is downtown Indianapolis or a northern suburb like Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, or Zionsville. Think about how clearly the team communicates, how they handle financing and insurance questions, and how responsive they are when you call with a concern during recovery.
It is also worth paying attention to how a practice treats you before you ever commit to surgery. A consultation should leave you feeling informed rather than pressured, with clear answers about risks, alternatives, and what recovery will realistically look like. Trust your instincts about whether the team listens carefully and respects your questions. If you are weighing your options, you can contact us with questions or learn more about our surgeons on our team page before deciding whether we are the right fit for you.