Dr. Marcia M. Tarter, DDS, in Oklahoma City: Oral Surgery for Extractions, Implants, and Wisdom Teeth

Marcia M. Tarter, DDS, is an oral surgeon in Oklahoma City who focuses on tooth extractions, dental implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, and other procedures requiring surgical intervention. Her practice treats patients referred from general dentists across the metro as well as those seeking extraction or implant services directly, and operates on a referral and direct-access model typical of surgical dental specialists.

What Tarter's Practice Handles

Oral surgeons perform procedures beyond the scope of general dentistry, and Tarter's scope includes simple and complex extractions, wisdom tooth removal (impacted or otherwise), implant placement, bone grafting for implant preparation, and related surgical care. Patients arrive either referred by their general dentist or self-referred when they know they need surgical extraction. Unlike a general dentist who handles fillings, cleanings, and some simple extractions, an oral surgeon manages cases involving bone work, impaction, or implant hardware, as well as patients with medical complexity (bleeding disorders, medicated conditions) that require surgical expertise.

Procedures, Sedation, and Cost

Tarter's practice offers surgical extractions, wisdom tooth removal, and implant placement. Most oral surgeons in Oklahoma City offer tiered sedation: local anesthesia alone, local with nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. The choice depends on anxiety level, procedure complexity, and patient preference. Extraction costs vary by tooth type and complexity; a simple extraction runs lower than a surgical removal of an impacted third molar, which may cost several hundred dollars. Implant placement (the surgical step only, not the restoration) typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on bone work needed. Verify current fees by calling the office; surgical pricing changes less frequently than general dentistry but can shift with supply costs and sedation protocols.

Sedation choice is a real consideration. Local-only extraction suits patients who are calm and have simple tooth position. Nitrous with local works well for mild anxiety. IV sedation, offered by oral surgeons but not general dentists, allows deeper relaxation and is necessary for highly anxious patients or lengthy procedures such as multiple impacted wisdom teeth extraction or extensive bone grafting. The cost difference between sedation levels is material: expect an additional $200 to $600 for IV sedation depending on duration. Ask whether the practice bundles this into the surgical fee or charges separately.

How Tarter Compares to Other Oklahoma City Oral Surgeons

Oklahoma City has several practicing oral surgeons. Tarter operates independently, meaning she is not part of a larger surgical group or hospital-affiliated practice. This model often allows for flexible scheduling and direct communication with the surgeon but may have fewer backup coverage options for emergencies compared to larger groups. Independent practices also typically have shorter new-patient wait times; call to check current appointment windows. For comparison, hospital-affiliated oral surgeons (such as those in OU College of Dentistry clinics or at major medical centers) offer more complex cases and same-day facility access but longer waits and higher overhead costs passed to the patient. Choose Tarter if you want a straightforward extraction or implant placement from an independent surgeon with likely faster access. Choose a hospital-affiliated oral surgeon if your case involves significant medical complexity or emergency airway concerns.

Who Suits This Practice and Who Does Not

Tarter's practice suits patients with straightforward surgical extraction or implant needs, moderate anxiety managed by IV sedation, and no acute medical emergency. It also suits those referred by their general dentist and those seeking implant placement at the surgical stage. The practice does not suit patients with severe medical comorbidity requiring hospital-level care, active infection with systemic spread, or those needing emergency airway management on the day of surgery (these belong in a hospital ER or surgical center with full anesthesia support). If you have bleeding disorders, take blood thinners, or have complex cardiac history, mention this at the initial consultation so Tarter can determine whether her office setting is appropriate or whether referral to a hospital-based program is safer.

First-Visit Expectations and Referral

If you arrive referred by your general dentist, bring the referral note and any imaging your dentist has taken. If self-referred, call to describe your chief complaint (wisdom tooth pain, failed root canal extraction, implant interest). Tarter will likely request a panoramic X-ray or CBCT (cone-beam CT) if one is not recent; the office may have this on site or send you to an imaging center. The consultation visit includes examination, imaging review, discussion of options (extraction vs. other treatment), sedation preferences, and fee estimate. This step is essential for implant cases: the surgeon assesses bone volume and density to determine whether grafting is needed before or during implant placement. Budget one to two weeks between consultation and procedure date.

Hours, Location, and Parking

Tarter's office operates standard professional hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited or no Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm current days and arrange surgery appointments, as many oral surgeons block time by procedure type. Parking is typically at-grade or in a small lot attached to the office suite; ask when you call if wheelchair or accessible parking is needed. Post-operative instructions will include pain management, swelling expectations, and activity restrictions; arrange a responsible adult to drive you home after IV sedation.

Dr. Marcia M. Tarter's independent oral surgery practice fills the gap between general dentistry and hospital-based care for routine and moderately complex extractions and implant placement in Oklahoma City.