Oral surgery - Definition and Overview

Oral surgery is a specialty of dentistry.

To specialize in oral surgery in the United States, a graduate of dental school must attend either a four-year or a six-year residency program. The four-year programs grant a certification of specialty training in oral surgery. The six-year programs grant certification plus a doctorate degree in medicine (MD). Some hospitals require oral surgeons to have an MD degree to perform certain complex procedures.