Choosing an oral surgeon is a significant decision — one that affects your health, comfort, and long-term outcomes. In Indianapolis, you have several options, and not all practices offer the same level of training, credentials, or patient care. Here's how to evaluate your choices and ask the right questions.
## 1. Verify Board Certification
The most important credential an oral surgeon can hold is board certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). This certification requires:
- Completion of a 4–6 year hospital-based oral and maxillofacial surgery residency after dental school
- Documented patient care experience across the full scope of OMS
- A rigorous written and oral examination
- Ongoing continuing education and periodic re-certification
Board certification is voluntary — not all practicing oral surgeons have passed the ABOMS examination. Choosing a board-certified surgeon ensures a higher standard of training and accountability.
At Oral Surgeons of Indiana, all of our surgeons are board-certified or board-eligible through ABOMS.
## 2. Look for AAOMS Membership
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization for oral surgeons in the United States. Membership requires completion of an accredited OMS residency and adherence to ethical standards and continuing education requirements.
AAOMS membership signals that your surgeon is engaged with the broader OMS professional community and is current on evidence-based practice guidelines.
## 3. Confirm Full Anesthesia and Sedation Credentials
One distinguishing advantage of oral surgeons over general dentists is the ability to administer IV sedation and general anesthesia in the office setting. However, to do this legally and safely, surgeons must hold:
- An **Office Anesthesia Permit** from the Indiana State Department of Health
- Current certification in **Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)**
- Regular office anesthesia evaluations by the state dental board
Before any procedure involving sedation, ask your surgeon directly: *Are you licensed to administer IV sedation in this office? When was your last state anesthesia evaluation?*
At our practice, all surgeons maintain active anesthesia permits and ACLS certification, and we undergo scheduled state inspections of our anesthesia equipment and protocols.
## 4. Ask About the Surgeon's Experience With Your Specific Procedure
Oral surgery covers a broad scope — from wisdom teeth removal and dental implants to facial trauma and oral pathology. Not every oral surgeon has equal experience across all procedures. When consulting about a specific treatment, it's appropriate to ask:
- How many of these procedures do you perform each year?
- Do you use cone beam CT (3D imaging) for planning?
- What is your complication rate for this procedure?
- What happens if I experience a complication?
A confident, experienced surgeon will welcome these questions. Evasiveness is a red flag.
## 5. Evaluate the Consultation Experience
Your consultation tells you a great deal about how a practice operates. Consider:
- **Did the surgeon explain your diagnosis clearly and in plain language?**
- **Were your questions welcomed, or did you feel rushed?**
- **Was a full set of X-rays taken before any treatment recommendation?**
- **Were costs explained transparently upfront?**
- **Was the office clean, organized, and professional?**
A practice that prioritizes communication and takes time to understand your goals is one that will be a true partner in your care — not just a transactional provider.
## 6. Check Reviews and Ask for Referrals
Online reviews (Google, Healthgrades) can give you a sense of other patients' experiences. Pay particular attention to:
- Consistency across many reviews
- How the practice responds to negative feedback
- Specific mentions of comfort, communication, and outcomes
Personal referrals from your general dentist, orthodontist, or a trusted friend or family member are also among the most reliable indicators of quality.
## Why Patients Choose Oral Surgeons of Indiana
Our practice was founded to deliver board-certified surgical expertise with the same warmth and communication patients expect from their family dentist. We offer:
- **Board-certified oral surgeons** with AAOMS membership
- **Full IV sedation capabilities** with active state anesthesia permits
- **Cone beam CT imaging** for precise surgical planning
- **Transparent, upfront cost estimates** before every procedure
- **Convenient Indianapolis location** serving the greater Central Indiana region
Call (317) 876-1095 to schedule a consultation and experience the difference that specialized, credentialed oral surgery care makes. We serve patients from Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Westfield, and throughout Central Indiana.
Explore our services: wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, bone grafting, and IV sedation.