Michael P. Fauks DDS in Oklahoma City: Oral Surgery for Extractions and Implants

Michael P. Fauks DDS operates as an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Oklahoma City, handling tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and related surgical procedures that fall outside the scope of general dentistry. The practice functions as a referral-based specialist office; most patients arrive through their general dentist or periodontist rather than self-referring directly.

What This Practice Actually Does

Oral surgeons extract teeth (including wisdom teeth and those with complications), place implant posts, remove impacted teeth, and perform bone grafting and sinus lift procedures when implant or extraction anatomy requires it. Fauks manages the full surgical spectrum from simple extractions to complex reconstructive work. This is not cosmetic dentistry or routine cleaning; it is procedural surgery performed under sedation or anesthesia. Patients typically see an oral surgeon after a general dentist identifies a tooth that cannot be saved or when an implant placement requires surgical expertise.

Procedures and Sedation Options

Extraction costs in Oklahoma City oral surgery range from approximately $200 to $800 per tooth depending on complexity; impacted wisdom teeth often fall toward the upper end. Implant posts (the surgical placement portion only, not the crown) typically cost $1,500 to $3,000 per implant in Oklahoma City practices, though bone grafting and sinus lifts add $500 to $2,000 each if needed. Fauks accepts most major dental insurance plans; verify your plan's oral surgery benefits and referral requirements before scheduling, as coverage varies widely and some plans require prior authorization.

Sedation options usually include local anesthesia with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for simpler cases and IV sedation for more involved procedures. Confirm which sedation types Fauks offers during your consultation, as this affects both comfort and recovery planning.

How Fauks Compares to Other Oklahoma City Oral Surgeons

Oklahoma City has several oral surgery practices. Fauks operates as a solo practitioner, which means you see the same surgeon for consultation and treatment, rather than a group practice where you might be assigned to whichever surgeon is available. Larger group practices such as some in the Norman or Edmond corridors offer extended hours and multiple locations, which can be convenient for scheduling; Fauks offers focus and continuity if those traits matter to you. Insurance and referral requirements are similar across practices; the meaningful difference is provider continuity and your general dentist's familiarity with and confidence in the surgeon you're referred to.

Who This Suits and Who It Doesn't

Fauks suits patients referred by their general dentist for tooth extraction or implant surgery, people comfortable with a solo-practitioner setting, and those covered by insurance plans that accept his participation. It does not suit patients seeking cosmetic smile design, gum grafting, or other periodontal work outside surgical extraction and implant scope. Pediatric patients typically do not present to oral surgeons; that is handled by pediatric dentists or general practitioners experienced with children.

What the First Visit Involves

You typically arrive with a referral from your dentist and any recent X-rays. Fauks will review your medical history, medications, allergies, and previous sedation experiences, as these directly affect how he can safely sedate you. He will examine the tooth or implant site, discuss the procedure, outline costs and anesthesia options, and answer questions about recovery. That same visit often includes a treatment discussion around timing; some patients schedule surgery within days, others over weeks depending on infection, healing needs, or personal scheduling.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Verify current hours and address directly with the practice, as these do change occasionally and are best confirmed by phone. Most oral surgery offices schedule appointments rather than walk-in care, so planning ahead is necessary. Parking is typically available at the practice location; confirm when you call. Recovery from extraction or implant surgery involves swelling, bruising, and activity restriction for the first few days; plan to take time off work if your job is physical or public-facing.

Why This Practice Matters in Oklahoma City

Fauks provides the specialist skills needed when a tooth cannot be saved or when an implant requires surgical placement, work that general dentists refer out rather than perform in-house. A solo oral surgeon with deep community dentist relationships becomes a reliable hand-off point for complicated cases, which is what sustains referral-based specialists in Oklahoma City's dental market.