Dr. Frederick K. Lutz, DDS in Oklahoma City: Oral Surgeon for Implants, Extractions, and Surgical Referrals
Dr. Frederick K. Lutz is an oral surgeon in Oklahoma City who performs tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and surgical procedures requiring specialized training beyond general dentistry. Lutz operates as a referral-based specialist, meaning most new patients come through their general dentist or another provider; walk-ins seeking immediate surgical care are not the typical pathway.
What Dr. Lutz's practice actually does
Oral surgery encompasses tooth removal (simple and surgical extractions), implant placement and bone grafting, wisdom tooth extraction, jaw surgery, and treatment of oral pathology. Lutz's scope is typical of a general oral surgeon, with no indication of subspecialization in fields like maxillofacial trauma or orthognathic surgery. The practice operates as a surgical referral center, meaning a patient's existing dentist or physician sends records and a consultation request. This structure means patients cannot simply call Lutz and schedule an extraction the same day; the general dentist initiates the process. For patients without a referring dentist, scheduling a consultation with a general practitioner first is the necessary step.
Procedures, sedation options, and pricing
Tooth extraction fees vary by complexity. Simple extractions (loose teeth or those fully erupted and easily removed) typically range from $100 to $300 per tooth in Oklahoma City. Surgical extractions, which involve bone removal or tooth sectioning, run $300 to $800 or more depending on impaction severity. Wisdom tooth extraction costs $200 to $600 per tooth for straightforward cases; impacted wisdom teeth cost $400 to $1,200. Dental implant placement (the surgical portion only, not the crown) ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 in the Oklahoma City market, with bone grafting adding $400 to $1,500. These are typical ranges; ask Lutz's office directly for exact fees before committing.
Sedation options affect both cost and suitability. Local anesthesia with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is standard and adds minimal cost. IV sedation, which allows deeper relaxation and creates amnesia around the procedure, typically adds $300 to $600 to the bill and requires a driver. General anesthesia is less common in private oral surgery offices and usually requires hospital referral. Most Oklahoma City oral surgeons offer local and IV sedation in-office; confirm which options Lutz provides when calling.
How Dr. Lutz compares to other Oklahoma City oral surgeons
Oklahoma City has multiple oral surgeons. Dr. Larry Wolford, known for orthognathic (jaw) surgery, is a subspecialist and not the right fit for routine extraction or implant cases. Dr. Craig Slaba and Dr. David Whitaker handle general oral surgery similar to Lutz's scope. The key distinction is not reputation but rather proximity and insurance acceptance. If Lutz is in-network with a patient's dental or medical plan, the out-of-pocket cost may be half that of an out-of-network surgeon. If a patient's general dentist has a strong working relationship with Lutz, communication between offices is faster and records transfer smoothly. If Lutz cannot accommodate a patient's preferred sedation or timeline, requesting a referral to another surgeon is appropriate and does not offend most practices.
For patients already referred to Lutz, comparison shopping with another surgeon is possible but requires repeating the consultation fee ($100 to $250 typically). For those without a referral yet, asking the general dentist which surgeons they work with regularly and which have shorter wait times is more practical than cold-calling multiple offices.
Who should see Dr. Lutz, and who should not
Lutz is the right choice for patients with a standing referral, those covered by his accepted insurance plans, and those willing to wait for an appointment (surgical centers typically schedule 1 to 4 weeks out, depending on urgency). Patients needing extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, or wisdom tooth removal who have a general dentist are well-suited to this pathway.
Lutz is not suitable for patients without an existing dentist or referral (call a general practice first), those requiring emergency same-day extraction (an emergency dental clinic or hospital ER is the option), or those seeking a subspecialty like jaw reconstruction (orthognathic surgery). Patients with severe dental anxiety should ask about sedation options and past-patient reviews on anxiety-focused care before the consultation.
What a first visit involves
The first appointment is a consultation, not surgery. Lutz's office reviews the referral, takes radiographs (X-rays) if not already done, examines the tooth or planned implant site, discusses sedation preferences, and explains the procedure and recovery. Expect to sign a consent form and receive a cost estimate. This visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and is not painful. Bring insurance cards and photo ID. The surgical appointment is scheduled separately, usually within 1 to 4 weeks, and requires a companion if IV sedation is used.
Hours, location, parking, and logistics
Contact Lutz's office directly for current hours and parking information; oral surgery practices often adjust schedules by surgical volume and may not operate a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Confirm whether the office is wheelchair accessible if needed. Patients using IV sedation must arrange a driver and cannot drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after. No eating or drinking after midnight before surgery is standard. Ask whether pre-operative lab work or clearance from a primary care doctor is required.
Dr. Frederick K. Lutz fills a necessary role in Oklahoma City's dental network by handling cases requiring surgical skill and training. Success depends on a clear referral pathway, insurance alignment, and realistic expectations about timeline and cost.
