With his work A Treatise on the Diseases and Surgery of the Mouth, Jaws and Associate Parts, first published in 1869, he helped to establish oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty in the United States.

He began studying dentistry during his early years and he first practiced in Woodbury, New Jersey.

After obtaining his degree, he joined Dr. Hayes Agnew at the Philadelphia School of Anatomy.

He served as the Dean of the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery.

[5] He was initially critical of J. Leon Williams histological theories on the development of teeth.