7 Oral Surgery Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Discover carefully selected Oral Surgery Books authored by Robert Reti, Neelima Malik, S. M. Balaji, and others renowned for their clinical impact and educational excellence.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if mastering oral surgery could be accelerated through the right books? Oral surgery remains a demanding specialty requiring precision, deep anatomical knowledge, and sharp clinical judgment. Whether you’re preparing for boards, refining surgical techniques, or managing emergencies, the literature you choose shapes your expertise and confidence.

This curated selection highlights books written by leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons who combine extensive clinical practice with academic rigor. Their works cover everything from foundational procedures to advanced surgical innovations, offering you authoritative guidance rooted in real-world experience.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific experience level, learning pace, and surgical interests might consider creating a personalized Oral Surgery book that builds on these insights for a customized learning journey.

Robert Reti, DDS, FACS, combines his extensive clinical practice with academic roles at ATSU Missouri School of Dentistry and Washington School of Medicine. His experience as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Mercy Hospital informs this guide, designed to fill the void for current, exam-focused oral board preparation. Driven by the absence of a comprehensive resource, Reti’s expertise ensures this book addresses the critical areas candidates must master to approach the boards with clarity and confidence.

When Robert Reti realized there was no up-to-date guide tailored for the demanding Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery boards, he and Damian Findlay crafted this focused study companion. You’ll gain detailed insights into patient evaluation, key questions to ask, and essential labs and imaging, all organized to mirror exam expectations. The book’s case-based Q&A format challenges you with increasingly complex scenarios and explores common complications, helping you sharpen your clinical judgment. If you’re preparing for the oral boards or polishing your surgical knowledge, this book offers a clear, structured framework drawn from the experience of successful candidates.

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Neelima Anil Malik is a respected authority in oral and maxillofacial surgery whose profound clinical experience informs this textbook. Her dedication to integrating up-to-date surgical methods and comprehensive educational content makes this work a foundational resource for students and practitioners seeking authoritative guidance in the 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 Procedures, Medical Emergencies, Local Anaesthesia

Neelima Anil Malik's extensive experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery shines through this detailed textbook, meticulously crafted to support both students and seasoned practitioners. You gain a thorough understanding of topics ranging from fundamental procedures to advanced techniques like piezosurgery and robotic surgeries, all supported by over 2,500 illustrations and numerous algorithms that clarify complex concepts. Chapters include focused "point-to-remember" boxes, aiding quick revision, while the inclusion of interactive DVD ROMs enhances your hands-on learning. This book suits anyone aiming for deep mastery of current oral surgery practices within academic or clinical settings, though its density might be overwhelming if you're just starting out.

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Best for personalized surgical plans
This AI-created book on oral surgery is crafted based on your existing skills, interests, and goals within the specialty. By integrating your unique background with expert knowledge, it focuses exclusively on the surgical techniques and concepts you want to master. Customizing the learning path for oral surgery ensures your study time targets precisely what you need to advance your expertise without wading through less relevant material. This personalized approach offers a focused and efficient way to deepen your surgical skills and clinical confidence.
2025·50-300 pages·Oral Surgery, Surgical Anatomy, Patient Assessment, Surgical Techniques, Complication Management

This tailored book explores the intricate techniques and essential principles of oral surgery with a focus that matches your background and surgical goals. It covers foundational anatomy, advanced procedural steps, and decision-making pathways that are crucial for mastering complex oral surgical interventions. Through this personalized synthesis of collective expertise, it reveals nuanced approaches to patient assessment, surgical planning, and complication management. The content is carefully crafted to align with your specific interests, ensuring a learning experience that deepens your practical understanding and sharpens your clinical judgment in oral surgery.

Tailored Guide
Surgical Technique Insights
3,000+ Custom Books Made
Best for surgical technique mastery
S. M. Balaji is a leading authority in oral and maxillofacial surgery, whose extensive clinical and academic background informs this textbook. Driven by a commitment to elevate surgical education, he integrates detailed imagery and surgical videos to make complex procedures accessible. This work reflects his dedication to advancing patient care and surgical innovation, offering readers a rich source of practical knowledge rooted in years of expertise.
Textbook of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 3e book cover

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

S. M. Balaji's extensive clinical and academic experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery shapes this detailed reference, designed to cover both fundamental and advanced surgical procedures. You’ll find in-depth chapters on topics ranging from anesthesia and minor oral surgery to complex maxillofacial trauma, supported by over 2700 high-resolution images and 500 anatomical diagrams that clarify surgical techniques step-by-step. The inclusion of radiographs, CT scans, and live surgical videos enriches your understanding of surgical planning and execution, making it particularly useful for practitioners seeking to deepen their technical skills and anatomical knowledge. This book suits oral surgeons, dental specialists, and trainees aiming for a thorough grasp of current surgical practices and emerging frontiers in the field.

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Best for quick clinical reference
A. Omar Abubaker DMD, PhD, a recognized leader in oral and maxillofacial surgery education, brings decades of surgical expertise to this book. His commitment to advancing surgical practices shines through in this practical guide, designed to support dental students and clinicians alike. Abubaker’s extensive experience ensures the content is authoritative and relevant, making this an essential companion for anyone serious about mastering oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets book cover

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

What happens when decades of oral and maxillofacial surgical expertise meet a concise, question-and-answer format? A. Omar Abubaker and his coauthors deliver just that, offering over 2,300 targeted inquiries that cover everything from clinical basics to advanced cosmetic procedures. This book is designed for dental students, residents, and practicing clinicians who want a dependable, quick-reference guide that fits in a lab coat pocket. You’ll find chapters on recent scientific advances and practical tips on procedures like rhinoplasty and facelifts, helping you deepen your surgical knowledge and decision-making skills without wading through dense prose. If you seek a resource that balances breadth and accessibility, this fits the bill perfectly.

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Best for practical surgical insights
James R. Hupp stands out as a distinguished educator holding multiple advanced degrees including DMD, MD, JD, and MBA. His extensive background in oral and maxillofacial surgery brings a rare depth of expertise to this book, which he co-authored to provide a thorough resource covering everything from basic surgical techniques to the latest advances in implant dentistry and anesthesia. His leadership and academic contributions shape the detailed guidance you’ll find here, making this an indispensable reference for those serious about mastering oral surgery.
Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery book cover

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

James R. Hupp, a multifaceted expert with degrees spanning dentistry, medicine, law, and business, co-authors this authoritative guide that delves into the practical and advanced aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. You’ll gain detailed insights into patient evaluation, surgical techniques, and postoperative care, enriched by hundreds of vivid photographs and illustrations that clarify complex procedures. The book covers a wide range of topics from fundamental surgical principles to cutting-edge implant dentistry and anesthesia, including updated chapters on facial cosmetic surgery and management of medication-related osteonecrosis. If you’re a dental or dental hygiene student aiming to master both foundational and sophisticated oral surgery skills, this text offers a thorough, methodical approach without overwhelming you with unnecessary jargon.

Selected for Doody’s Core Titles® 2024
Essential Purchase designation in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
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Best for rapid skill building
This AI-created book on oral surgery is crafted based on your current experience and specific goals. It captures what you want to focus on, whether it's foundational techniques or advanced surgical skills, then creates a clear, step-by-step path to help you improve quickly. By tailoring the content to your interests and skill level, this book makes learning more efficient and directly applicable to your practice. You get focused guidance that matches exactly what you need without wading through unrelated material.
2025·50-300 pages·Oral Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Clinical Decision-Making, Anatomical Principles, Patient Assessment

This tailored oral surgery book offers a focused learning journey designed to rapidly boost your surgical competence. It explores essential procedures, clinical decision-making, and advanced techniques, all finely tuned to your background and goals. By tailoring content specifically to your interests, the book reveals how to progress efficiently through complex topics without extraneous detail. Through this personalized approach, you engage directly with the aspects of oral surgery that matter most to you, bridging foundational knowledge with targeted practice. The book covers step-by-step actions and practical scenarios that would accelerate your confidence and skill development in real clinical settings.

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Surgical Skill Acceleration
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Best for mastering minor procedures
Geoffrey L. Howe is a distinguished authority in oral surgery whose extensive contributions to dental education and practice have shaped the field. With years of experience and several influential texts under his belt, Howe focuses on practical techniques and advances in oral surgical procedures. His expertise ensures this book serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of minor oral surgery.
Minor Oral Surgery book cover

by Geoffrey L. Howe··You?

448 pages·Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Dental Education, Patient Management

What happens when decades of surgical expertise meets the nuanced demands of minor oral procedures? Geoffrey L. Howe, a recognized authority in oral surgery education, channels his extensive clinical experience into this detailed guide. You gain not just procedural know-how but insights into patient management, surgical anatomy, and complication prevention—all grounded in real-world practice. Chapters delve into practical techniques for extractions, biopsies, and soft tissue surgeries, making it especially useful if you're honing your surgical skills or teaching others. If your focus is mastering the subtleties of minor oral surgery with precision, this book offers a solid foundation without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for emergency on-call training
Nabeela Ahmed is a registrar at King's College Hospital, deeply involved in advancing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Her frontline experience inspired this book, which focuses on equipping junior trainees with clear, hands-on guidance for emergency and ward cases, making it a valuable tool for those early in their surgical journey.
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, Emergency Care, Surgical Procedures

Drawing from her extensive training at King's College Hospital, Nabeela Ahmed and her colleagues crafted this guide specifically for junior trainees navigating emergency and ward settings in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The book equips you with practical skills for managing common presentations and performing straightforward surgical procedures, supported by vivid full-color images and clear storyboards. You'll find it especially useful for developing confidence during on-call shifts, where quick decision-making and hands-on techniques matter most. While it doesn’t delve into complex surgeries, its focus on accessible, day-to-day clinical challenges makes it an effective resource for those early in their surgical careers.

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Conclusion

These seven books collectively emphasize three clear themes: thorough preparation, surgical precision, and practical patient management. If you’re facing oral board exams, start with Oral Board Review for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to sharpen your clinical reasoning through case-based Q&A.

For rapid implementation of surgical skills, combine Textbook of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 3e with Minor Oral Surgery to deepen your hands-on techniques and handle minor procedures confidently. If you often face emergencies, On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery offers targeted training for those critical moments.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Oral Surgery book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and elevate your surgical practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with "Oral Board Review for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" if you're preparing for exams or want a structured introduction. It focuses on clinical scenarios and sharpens decision-making, easing you into more technical texts later.

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

Some are dense, like the "Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery," which suits experienced practitioners. For beginners, "Minor Oral Surgery" and "On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" provide accessible, practical knowledge.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts like "Minor Oral Surgery" and "On-call in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery," then progress to detailed references such as "Textbook of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 3e" for advanced techniques.

Do these books assume I already have experience in Oral Surgery?

Many target dental students and practitioners with some clinical background. For absolute beginners, focusing on introductory chapters and practical guides will build a solid base before tackling comprehensive texts.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets" offers concise, question-and-answer style content that’s easy to reference for clinical decision-making and quick procedural tips in daily practice.

Can I get a personalized Oral Surgery book tailored to my specific needs?

Yes! While these books provide expert knowledge, you can create a personalized Oral Surgery book that complements them by focusing specifically on your experience level, interests, and goals for a more efficient learning path.

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