Robert L. Shirley DDS in Oklahoma City: Oral Surgery and Implant Extraction

Robert L. Shirley DDS is a solo oral surgery practice in Oklahoma City specializing in tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and implant placement, serving patients referred from general dentists across the metro area and those seeking second opinions on surgical extraction cases.

What the practice handles

The practice focuses on surgical extractions and implant dentistry, the two most common reasons patients are referred to oral surgeons. Routine extractions and wisdom tooth removal form the bulk of the caseload. More complex cases—teeth fractured at the gum line, impacted wisdom teeth, extraction of teeth with severe bone loss—are where oral surgery becomes necessary rather than restorative dentistry. The practice also places dental implants, a procedure that requires precise bone assessment and surgical placement of a titanium post that later anchors a crown.

Oklahoma City patients typically see a general dentist first. That dentist decides whether a tooth can be extracted safely in the office or requires an oral surgeon. The referral pathway matters: if your general dentist lacks extraction equipment or encounters a complication, they will send you to an oral surgeon. Choosing an oral surgeon early can also speed outcomes if you know you have a surgical extraction ahead.

Procedures and sedation options

Extractions at the surgical level include impacted wisdom teeth, where teeth are trapped beneath bone or gum; surgical extractions of teeth with extensive root curvature; and cases where infection or trauma require careful bone removal. The practice offers local anesthesia and IV sedation. Local anesthesia (numbing without sedation) is the baseline for most procedures. IV sedation—twilight sedation where you're relaxed but not fully unconscious—adds cost but eliminates anxiety and awareness during longer procedures. Many patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal or multiple extractions choose IV sedation for comfort.

Pricing for surgical extraction runs higher than routine dentist extractions due to surgical complexity and sedation. Local-only extractions typically fall between 150 and 400 dollars per tooth, depending on impaction level. Sedation adds 300 to 500 dollars for IV administration and monitoring. Implant placement, a separate surgical visit, ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 dollars for the post alone, not including the crown that attaches later. Verify current fees directly; extraction pricing can shift based on case difficulty.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City oral surgeons

Oklahoma City has several oral surgery practices. University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry operates a teaching clinic where dental students perform extractions and implant surgery under faculty oversight, resulting in significantly lower fees (often half commercial rates), though appointments take longer and availability is limited to student schedule. This suits patients with time flexibility and limited budgets; it does not suit those needing a procedure within two weeks.

Private practices like Robert L. Shirley DDS and others clustered in midtown and northwest OKC typically offer faster scheduling and one-on-one surgeon attention. Comparison should focus on whether the practice offers IV sedation in-house (some refer patients to separate anesthesia centers, adding travel and cost), how far your referral dentist has referred before, and whether the surgeon will discuss implant timing and bone preservation during extraction—a choice that affects how much bone remains for later implant placement.

Who it suits and who it does not

This practice suits patients with wisdom teeth, severely impacted molars, or teeth broken below the gum who need predictable, single-visit resolution and are comfortable with surgical-level care. It also suits implant candidates who want extraction and implant planning from the same surgeon; that continuity prevents gaps in care planning.

It does not suit patients seeking routine extractions (go to your general dentist for speed and cost). It is not the right choice if you require full sedation (IV sedation is not the same as general anesthesia with an anesthesiologist present; if you have complex medical history, ask whether the surgeon refers out for deeper sedation).

First visit and referral requirements

You will typically need a referral from your general dentist, though some oral surgery practices accept self-referrals or second-opinion visits. At the first appointment, expect X-rays (often 3D CBCT scans to map bone anatomy), discussion of the procedure, sedation choice, and timeline. If you are a candidate for implant placement immediately after extraction, the surgeon may discuss bone grafting at extraction to preserve height for implant. This is a key decision point: removing the tooth alone costs less but may require bone grafting later, a second procedure. The surgeon will review risks and outcomes specific to your case.

Hours, location, and logistics

Confirm current hours directly. Most oral surgery practices in Oklahoma City operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no Saturday hours. Parking is typically office lot or street parking in the building area. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for your first visit.

Robert L. Shirley DDS holds a clinical position and serves as a referral destination for midtown-area dentists, making it a reliable choice for patients already working with OKC general practitioners.