Dr. Craig Wooten's Oral & Facial Surgery Practice in Oklahoma City: Surgical Extractions, Implants, and Sedation Options

Dr. Craig Wooten operates an oral surgery practice serving Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, specializing in tooth extractions, dental implants, and bone grafting. Oral surgery is a dental specialty requiring additional training beyond dental school and is typically accessed through referral from a general dentist when routine extraction or implant placement is not feasible in the general practice setting.

What This Practice Handles

Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma provides surgical tooth extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth, and dental implant placement. Bone grafting and sinus lift procedures are available for patients lacking adequate bone volume for implant support. The practice handles both simple and complex extractions and serves as a referral destination for cases requiring surgical expertise beyond general dentistry scope.

Sedation Options and How Extraction Differs by Complexity

Simple extractions (where teeth are fully erupted and can be removed with standard instruments) are often performed in a general dentist's office with local anesthesia alone. Surgical extractions, such as impacted wisdom teeth or teeth with curved roots requiring bone removal, are performed by an oral surgeon and typically involve stronger sedation options: nitrous oxide, oral sedation (moderate sedation), or IV sedation.

IV sedation ranges from conscious sedation (patient drowsy but responsive) to general anesthesia (full unconsciousness). Conscious sedation costs approximately $200 to $400 additional to the surgical fee; general anesthesia runs higher and requires an anesthesiologist present. Many patients choose IV sedation for wisdom tooth surgery to minimize awareness and anxiety. This is not available in typical general dental offices and is a primary reason for surgical referral.

Local anesthesia alone is offered for straightforward cases. Patients tolerating oral sedation in other medical settings may prefer it here to avoid IV placement.

How This Practice Compares to Other Oklahoma City Oral Surgery Options

Oklahoma City has multiple oral surgery practices. Wooten's practice is one established option; others include practices affiliated with the OU College of Dentistry's oral surgery clinic (which serves as both training and patient care site, typically at lower cost but with extended scheduling and student involvement under faculty supervision) and independent private practices. Practices differ in appointment availability, sedation capabilities, implant technology, and whether they handle bone grafting and complex reconstruction in-house.

Private practices typically have shorter wait times for routine extractions and implants. Dental school clinics offer lower fees but longer treatment timelines. Choose a private practice for faster scheduling and full surgeon autonomy; choose a teaching clinic if cost is the primary concern and you accept student involvement under supervision.

Services and Typical Cost Structure

Surgical extraction fees for a single tooth range from $300 to $800 depending on complexity; impacted wisdom teeth are higher. Single implant placement alone (not including the crown) runs $1,500 to $2,500. Bone grafting adds $500 to $1,500 per site. Sinus lifts typically cost $1,500 to $3,000. Verify current fees with the office; these ranges reflect typical Oklahoma City private practice pricing and will vary by case.

Many oral surgery practices offer payment plans or financing through third-party lenders (CareCredit, Alphaeon). Insurance may cover a portion of surgical extraction if medically necessary; implants are rarely covered by dental insurance.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

This practice suits patients needing surgical tooth removal, implant placement, or bone reconstruction with minimal wait time and consistent surgeon involvement. It suits patients who prefer stronger sedation and want to avoid multiple referrals.

It does not suit patients seeking only preventive care or basic fillings (general dentistry is more appropriate). Patients unable to pay for surgical services out-of-pocket or through financing and lacking dental insurance coverage may find the cost prohibitive compared to dental school clinics.

What to Expect on the First Visit

New patients typically begin with a consultation visit during which the surgeon evaluates the tooth or implant site, orders imaging (intraoral X-rays or CBCT), discusses sedation options, and explains the surgical plan and timeline. Patients receive written pre-operative instructions (fasting, medication adjustments, transportation arrangements for sedated cases). A treatment plan with costs and insurance estimates is provided. The actual surgery is scheduled separately after informed consent and payment arrangement.

For implant cases, osseointegration (bone attachment to the implant) takes 3 to 6 months before crown placement can proceed. Patients are advised not to drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after sedation.

Hours, Location, and Parking

Contact the office directly to confirm current hours and to verify whether parking is on-site or street parking. Surgical scheduling often accommodates working adults with early morning or afternoon time slots.

Dr. Wooten's practice fills a surgical need in Oklahoma City that general dentists cannot meet, making it a necessary referral resource for complex extractions and implant patients unwilling to accept longer wait times at teaching clinics.