8 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Books That Define the Field

Explore 8 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery books authored by leading experts like Robert Reti and Neelima Malik, offering authoritative insights and practical guidance.

Updated on June 26, 2025
We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page

What if you could unlock the core knowledge that shapes oral and maxillofacial surgery today? This specialty demands precision and deep understanding—from diagnosing facial deformities to mastering complex surgical techniques. As the field evolves rapidly, having the right books can be the difference between uncertainty and confidence.

The books highlighted here are authored by practitioners who blend clinical expertise with academic rigor. Robert Reti’s focused oral board review and Neelima Malik’s surgical textbook represent the kind of authoritative resources that have influenced countless surgeons. These texts offer not just facts but frameworks that sharpen your decision-making and technical skills.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific experience level, focus areas, or learning goals might consider creating a personalized Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book that builds on these insights with a custom approach.

Robert Reti, DDS, FACS, combines private practice expertise with roles as adjunct assistant professor and clinical instructor in surgery to author this targeted guide. His deep involvement in both clinical care and academic teaching informs the book’s practical approach, aiming to fill a gap in oral board exam preparation by offering a concise yet thorough review of key topics and clinical cases relevant to oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Robert Reti, DDS, FACS, brings his extensive clinical and teaching experience to this study guide aimed at oral and maxillofacial surgery candidates facing the oral board exam. You gain focused insights into the exam's broad content through concise outlines, patient workups, and case-based Q&A that sharpen your diagnostic and management skills. The book emphasizes practical knowledge such as key questions to ask, relevant signs, labs, and imaging, along with high-yield tables and keywords that reflect what successful candidates have found essential. This resource suits surgeons preparing for board certification and residents wanting to reinforce their training, though it assumes some foundational knowledge and does not promise insider exam secrets.

View on Amazon
Best for detailed surgical techniques
Neelima Anil Malik is a recognized authority in oral and maxillofacial surgery, whose extensive clinical and educational experience forms the backbone of this textbook. Her dedication to integrating current surgical innovations and comprehensive clinical information into one volume makes this book a vital tool for those pursuing expertise in this demanding field.
Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book cover

by Neelima Anil Malik, Suresh Bhosale··You?

2021·1254 pages·Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Clinical Procedures, Anesthesia

Drawing from her extensive experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Neelima Anil Malik offers a meticulously organized guide that covers everything from foundational concepts to intricate surgical procedures. This textbook breaks down complex topics into clear, point-wise sections, making challenging material accessible, with chapters on local anesthesia, piezosurgery, and robotic surgeries that reflect modern advancements. You’ll find detailed illustrations, flowcharts, and algorithms that aid your understanding and recall, especially useful for exam preparation or clinical reference. While the book demands commitment given its depth, it’s particularly suited for students and practitioners seeking a thorough and up-to-date resource in this surgical specialty.

View on Amazon
Best for personal surgical plans
This AI-created book on oral surgery is crafted specifically for you based on your background, skill level, and surgical interests. By focusing on your specific learning goals and preferred topics, it guides you through complex procedures and principles in a way that fits your needs. Personalizing this resource means you won't wade through irrelevant content—just the surgical knowledge and techniques that matter most to your practice and growth.
2025·50-300 pages·Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Anatomy, Operative Procedures

This tailored book delves deeply into the principles and techniques of oral and maxillofacial surgery, crafted to fit your unique background and learning goals. It explores surgical anatomy, operative procedures, and postoperative care with a focus that matches your specific interests. By personalizing content to your experience level and objectives, it offers a clear pathway through complex surgical concepts, allowing you to grasp critical details without extraneous information. It covers essential techniques, patient evaluation, and complication management, providing a precise, tailored resource that complements foundational expert texts. This personalized approach enhances your understanding and confidence in applying surgical knowledge to real-world cases.

Tailored Guide
Surgical Precision
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for surgical imaging and videos
S. M. Balaji is a renowned expert in oral and maxillofacial surgery, known for his extensive contributions in both clinical and academic settings. His broad experience inspired a textbook that captures the full scope of the specialty, blending detailed surgical principles with a wealth of images and instructional videos. This depth makes the book a cornerstone reference for those seeking to deepen their surgical expertise and clinical skills in this challenging field.
Textbook of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 3e book cover

by S. M. Balaji, Padma Preetha Balaji··You?

What started as a deep commitment to refining surgical techniques turned into this extensive textbook by S. M. Balaji and Padma Preetha Balaji, designed to cover the full spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery. You gain a clear grasp of everything from routine oral surgical procedures to complex interventions, supported by over 2700 high-resolution images and detailed anatomical diagrams that clarify each step. The book's structure, spanning 50 chapters and 12 sections, addresses essential areas like anesthesia, trauma, dentofacial deformities, and radiodiagnosis, making it a valuable reference for both general practitioners and specialists. Its inclusion of 15 instructional videos further enriches your learning, helping bridge theory with practical surgical application.

View on Amazon
A. Omar Abubaker DMD, PhD, a distinguished figure in oral and maxillofacial surgery education, brings his deep expertise to this book. His commitment to advancing surgical practice and educating future surgeons shapes a resource that is both authoritative and practical. This guide reflects his leadership in the field, providing readers with concise, expert-driven content that supports both learning and clinical application.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets book cover

by A. Omar Abubaker DMD PhD, Din Lam DMD MD, Kenneth J. Benson DDS··You?

Drawing from his extensive experience as a leader in oral and maxillofacial surgery education, A. Omar Abubaker crafted this book to serve as a practical companion for dental students, residents, and practicing clinicians. You’ll find over 2,300 focused questions and answers that cut through complex topics like cosmetic surgery techniques, clinical rotations, and board exam preparation. Chapters penned by globally recognized experts bring insights on the latest advances, including new cosmetic procedures and facial evaluations. This concise, pocket-sized guide is designed to support your daily practice and deepen your understanding without overwhelming you.

View on Amazon
Best for patient management skills
James R. Hupp is a distinguished educator and author in oral and maxillofacial surgery, holding advanced degrees including DMD, MD, JD, and MBA. His extensive expertise and leadership in dentistry underpin this book, which serves as a thorough resource for developing skills in surgical techniques and patient management. Hupp’s authoritative background drives the book’s detailed approach to both foundational and advanced oral surgery practices, making it a key reference for students and professionals alike.
Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book cover

by James R. Hupp DMD MD JD MBA, Myron R. Tucker DDS, Edward Ellis DDS MS··You?

The breakthrough moment came when James R. Hupp, drawing from his extensive background as a DMD, MD, JD, and MBA, crafted this detailed guide to enhance your skills in evaluation, diagnosis, and patient management within oral and maxillofacial surgery. You’ll find a wealth of full-color photographs and clear step demonstrations covering both fundamental surgical techniques and advanced procedures, including the latest in dental implants and anesthesia. The book’s new chapters on anesthesia depth and complex implant cases offer insights that bridge basic learning with cutting-edge practice, making it particularly useful for dental students and practitioners aiming to deepen their surgical proficiency. If you seek practical knowledge on patient evaluation or want to understand when referrals are necessary, this text lays it out plainly without overcomplicating the material.

Selected for Doody’s Core Titles® 2024 with Essential Purchase designation
View on Amazon
Best for rapid skill advancement
This AI-created book on oral and maxillofacial surgery is crafted specifically based on your background and skill level. You share your current experience, focus areas, and goals, and the book is created to match exactly what you want to learn. This customized approach makes sense because surgical proficiency grows through targeted practice and knowledge tailored to your unique needs. Rather than sifting through broad texts, this book provides a clear, focused path designed just for you.
2025·50-300 pages·Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Clinical Decision-Making

This tailored book explores a personalized pathway designed to accelerate your proficiency in oral and maxillofacial surgery within 90 days. It focuses on your unique background, current skill level, and specific goals to craft a learning experience that bridges expert knowledge with your individual needs. By examining core surgical principles alongside targeted techniques, the content matches your interests and addresses challenges you face in clinical practice. This personalized approach encourages efficient skill advancement, integrating essential surgical concepts with practical application focused on rapid improvement. Readers gain a clear, focused roadmap that reveals how to advance their surgical capabilities effectively, making complex topics accessible and actionable.

Tailored Guide
Surgical Skill Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for minor procedure mastery
Geoffrey L. Howe is a distinguished authority in oral surgery with extensive experience in dental education and practice. His expertise culminates in this book, which emphasizes practical techniques and the latest advancements in minor oral surgical procedures. Howe’s background uniquely positions him to guide you through essential surgical methods, making this text a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their surgical proficiency.
Minor Oral Surgery book cover

by Geoffrey L. Howe··You?

448 pages·Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Dental Education, Minor Procedures

Drawing from decades of clinical experience and contributions to dental education, Geoffrey L. Howe developed Minor Oral Surgery to address the practical needs of dental professionals. You’ll gain detailed insights into surgical techniques that span from basic extractions to managing minor complications, with clear explanations grounded in real-world practice. The book’s chapters carefully outline procedural steps and considerations, making it especially useful for dental students and practitioners aiming to refine their surgical skills. If your goal is to strengthen your technical foundation in oral surgical procedures without extraneous theory, this text delivers focused, accessible guidance.

View on Amazon
Best for junior trainee emergencies
Nabeela Ahmed, a registrar training at King's College Hospital in London, brings frontline clinical experience to this book. Working closely with clinical fellows and consultants dedicated to oral and maxillofacial surgery, Ahmed channels their collective expertise into a practical guide tailored for junior trainees. This background ensures the book delivers relevant, hands-on advice that prepares you for the demands of emergency and ward settings.
On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (On-Call Series) book cover

by Nabeela Ahmed, Kathleen Fan, Alexander M. C. Goodson, Karl B. Payne, Karl F. B. Payne, Arpan S. Tahim··You?

2016·208 pages·Oral Surgery, Maxillo-facial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Procedures, Emergency Care

This book emerges from the frontline experience of Nabeela Ahmed, a London-based registrar at King's College Hospital, who contributes alongside clinical fellows and consultants to advance oral and maxillofacial surgery. You’ll find it structured as a survival guide, designed specifically for junior trainees facing emergency, ward, and clinic situations. It offers detailed walkthroughs of common surgical presentations and procedures, supported by full-color images and stepwise storyboards that emphasize hands-on skills. The focus on practical, accessible advice means it’s especially suited for those early in their surgical careers seeking to build confidence and competence in managing typical cases encountered on call.

View on Amazon
Best for facial surgery exam prep
Carrie Newlands, a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons, authored this handbook drawing on her clinical and educational expertise. Her role as National Clinical Lead for the Department of Health e-Learning project in OMFS underscores the book's authoritative approach to teaching complex surgical topics. This work reflects her commitment to medical education and offers you concise, updated guidance on managing conditions like skin cancer and facial deformity, bridging academic rigor with practical surgical knowledge.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Oxford Specialist Handbooks in Surgery) book cover

by Carrie Newlands, Cyrus Kerawala··You?

2020·576 pages·Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Facial Reconstruction, Disease Diagnosis

Carrie Newlands, a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive clinical and educational experience, brings a focused perspective to this third edition handbook. You gain a clear, structured overview of diagnosing and surgically treating diseases of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck, supported by clinical photos and line drawings that enhance understanding. The book is particularly suited for those preparing for the FRCS OMFS exit exam or the MFDS assessment, yet remains a useful quick reference for practicing consultants. Specific chapters balance updated evidence with practical guidance on facial deformity, salivary gland disorders, and skin cancer reconstruction, offering precise insights without overwhelming detail.

View on Amazon

Get Your Personal Oral Surgery Guide Fast

Stop following generic advice. Get strategies tailored to your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery needs in 10 minutes.

Targeted surgical knowledge
Efficient learning plan
Customized skill focus

Trusted by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery professionals worldwide

Oral Surgery Mastery Code
90-Day Surgery Boost
Oral Surgery Trends Now
Surgery Secrets Unlocked

Conclusion

Across these eight books, three themes emerge clearly: focused exam preparation, mastery of surgical techniques, and practical patient management. If you’re preparing for oral board exams, Robert Reti’s study guide offers targeted practice. For hands-on surgical skills, the richly illustrated textbooks by Neelima Malik and S. M. Balaji provide a detailed roadmap. Meanwhile, books like "On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" prepare you for the real-world demands of emergency cases.

For rapid skill application, combining "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets" with "Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" can accelerate your clinical confidence. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

These books can help you accelerate your learning journey, equip you with proven approaches, and deepen your surgical expertise in this demanding specialty.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Oral Board Review for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" by Robert Reti if you're preparing for exams. If you want a broader surgical foundation, "Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" by Neelima Malik offers a structured approach.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Some texts, like "Minor Oral Surgery" by Geoffrey Howe, cater well to beginners with practical guidance, while others, like Balaji's textbook, suit those with some clinical background ready to deepen their skills.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets" emphasizes practical Q&A and clinical tips, whereas Malik’s and Balaji’s textbooks blend theory with detailed surgical techniques and imaging for comprehensive understanding.

Can I skip around or do I need to read them cover to cover?

You can definitely skip around. For example, "On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" is designed for quick reference during emergencies, while others like board review guides can be studied chapter by chapter.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery changes?

Most are recent editions reflecting current practice, such as the 2021 publication by Malik. However, always complement readings with latest journals and clinical guidelines for cutting-edge updates.

How can I get content tailored to my specific Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery goals?

These expert books provide solid foundations, but personalized guides can target your unique needs, whether exam prep or procedure focus. You can create a personalized Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book to bridge expert knowledge with your goals.

📚 Love this book list?

Help fellow book lovers discover great books, share this curated list with others!