Wisdom tooth removal is one of the first times many people meet an oral surgeon. Behind that visit is one of the longest training paths in dentistry. Oral surgeons care for problems of the mouth, jaws and face, often in both offices and hospitals.
If you are curious about how to become an oral surgeon, this guide walks you through the full path. You will learn what oral and maxillofacial surgeons do, how their residency works, and what official data shows about oral surgeon salary. You will also see how the role compares with general dentistry. Finally, you will find practical ways to test your interest in surgery long before you apply to residency.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is one of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the ADA's National Commission. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons describes OMS specialists as experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery. AAOMS also notes that dentoalveolar surgery, meaning surgery on the teeth and the bone around them, is the mainstay of most OMS practices.
In practice, oral surgeons may remove impacted teeth, place dental implants, treat facial injuries and correct jaw problems. Their training includes a strong hospital component, so many also care for patients in hospital settings.
A general dentist handles a wide range of routine care, including some extractions. An oral surgeon takes on more complex surgical cases. Dentists often refer patients to oral surgeons when a procedure needs advanced surgical skill, specialized anesthesia support or hospital care. For more on how specialties fit together, read our guide to dental specialties.
The early steps match any dental career:
AAOMS explains that residency programs follow two main formats:
AAOMS notes that some programs extend to six to eight years depending on the extra training they include. All programs have a strong hospital component, and some are based mainly in hospitals.
OMS residency programs are competitive. Students who are interested often focus on strong grades in dental school, research or clinical experience in surgery, and relationships with faculty mentors. Before dental school, shadowing an oral surgeon is one of the best ways to see whether the pace and the operating room suit you.
Oral surgery is among the highest-paid careers in dentistry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for oral and maxillofacial surgeons was $352,220 in May 2025. In the same data, the median for general dentists was $170,950.
Keep that number in context. Oral surgeons train for many more years, which often means more educational debt and a later start to full earnings. Pay also varies by location, practice type and experience.
BLS projects overall employment of dentists to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. That projection covers dentists as a group, so it does not describe oral surgery on its own.
Surgery is demanding work. It calls for steady hands, calm decisions and long hours. Shadowing, research and clinical experience help you learn whether that work energizes you. Our guide to the best extracurriculars for dental school shares ideas for building that experience.
A dental service learning trip is another way to observe dental teams at work. On Smiles Movement trips, students shadow local dental professionals at mobile clinics and help with oral health education for children in partner communities. Students observe, and licensed professionals provide all patient care.
Every oral surgeon starts with curiosity about how dental care works. If you want to learn alongside dental professionals and partner communities, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.
Most oral surgeons complete a bachelor's degree, about four years of dental school and an OMS residency of four to six years. Some programs run longer.
Some do. AAOMS describes six-year MD-integrated programs that include a medical degree. Four-year certificate programs do not include an MD.
BLS reports a median annual wage of $352,220 for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in May 2025. Pay varies by location, practice type and experience.