Dao Thanh DDS in Oklahoma City: Surgical Extractions and Implant Placement with Same-Day Options
Dao Thanh DDS is an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Oklahoma City that handles complex tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and bone grafting for patients referred by general dentists or seeking care independently. The practice treats both routine and impacted wisdom teeth removal, places endosseous implants in single and full-arch cases, and performs associated surgical procedures. It sits in the middle tier of Oklahoma City's oral surgery market: more specialized than a general dentist's in-chair extractions, less hospital-focused than the university teaching programs, and accessible without a referral.
What Dao Thanh DDS actually does
Dao Thanh DDS operates as a surgical dental practice, meaning it extracts teeth that are impacted, fractured, or otherwise unsuitable for a general dentist, and it places implants and bone grafts in the same setting. The scope is strictly surgical and implant-related, not prosthodontic or orthodontic. Unlike a hospital-based oral surgery department, the practice is an independent clinic, so scheduling is direct and typically faster than a referral through a hospital system. Most patients arrive referred by their general dentist but can schedule a consultation without one.
Procedures, sedation options, and referral pathway
Extractions at Dao Thanh DDS include simple removals, impacted wisdom teeth, and teeth broken at the gum line or below bone level. Implant cases range from single-tooth replacement to full-mouth reconstruction and often include bone grafting when the jaw lacks sufficient height or width to anchor the implant. Sinus lift procedures are offered for upper-jaw implants in patients with low sinus floors.
Sedation options typically include local anesthesia with nitrous oxide and IV sedation (administered by a licensed anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on-site or on a referral basis). General anesthesia is not typical for an office-based practice but may be arranged at a hospital facility for complex cases. Confirm current sedation capabilities and availability when scheduling, as staffing for IV anesthesia varies.
Referral is not required to request a consultation, but most major insurers cover implants and extractions only when a dentist initiates the referral for medical necessity. Patients planning to use insurance should ask their general dentist to refer them; self-referred patients should clarify coverage with their plan before the appointment.
Comparison to other Oklahoma City oral surgeons
Oklahoma City oral surgeons generally cluster into three groups: private independent practices (Dao Thanh DDS, others), university-affiliated clinics under the OU College of Dentistry, and hospital-integrated oral surgery departments within larger health systems such as Mercy or OU Medical. University clinics and hospital programs are typical entry points for complex or medically compromised cases; wait times can run 4 to 8 weeks. Private practices like Dao Thanh DDS generally book faster (2 to 4 weeks for an initial exam) and allow direct scheduling without a referral, though insurance may still require one for coverage. Hospital settings offer on-site anesthesia depth and operating-room infrastructure, which matters for patients with severe medical comorbidities or extreme anxiety; private practices suit patients with routine complexity, faster scheduling needs, and stable health. Cost is often similar across settings once insurance processes the claim, but deductibles and out-of-pocket maxima are met independently at each facility, so using a single provider for multiple extractions or full-mouth implant work can reduce out-of-pocket exposure.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Dao Thanh DDS is a fit for:
- Patients needing wisdom tooth extraction or removal of impacted teeth and referred by their dentist.
- Candidates planning one or more implants, with adequate bone or willingness to undergo bone grafting.
- People who want faster scheduling than a university clinic or hospital referral pathway offers.
- Those with straightforward health histories who do not require general anesthesia or ICU-level post-operative monitoring.
Not a fit:
- Pediatric patients; Dao Thanh DDS is an adult surgery practice.
- Patients with severe medical fragility or requiring hospital-level anesthesia oversight; refer to OU Medical or Mercy oral surgery departments.
- Those without insurance or ability to pay out-of-pocket; confirm fee ranges and payment plans before scheduling.
First-visit process
A first visit typically begins with a surgical consultation, during which the surgeon reviews the case (extracted tooth or implant plan), takes radiographs or a CBCT scan if not already done, and evaluates bone anatomy. A discussion follows about the surgical plan, sedation choice, timeline, and costs. The surgeon explains risks and post-operative care and gives an estimate. If the patient is ready to proceed and insurance is verified, surgery can sometimes be scheduled within one to two weeks. If bone grafting is required, that procedure may occur in the same appointment or as a preliminary step, depending on the case.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Confirm hours and parking directly with the practice, as these details shift seasonally or with staffing. Standard office hours for surgical practices in Oklahoma City are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; some practices hold Saturday hours. Street or lot parking is typical for standalone clinical locations; ask about accessibility if you have mobility concerns.
Post-operative recovery involves swelling for 3 to 5 days after extraction and 7 to 10 days after implant placement. Plan for someone to drive you home if sedation is used. Implant osseointegration takes 3 to 6 months before a crown or bridge is fabricated.
Dao Thanh DDS fills a gap for Oklahoma City patients who need surgical extraction or implant placement without the delay of a referral system and without the cost of hospital facility fees, provided their case is straightforward and their general health stable.
