Rodney E. Shivers, DDS in Oklahoma City: Oral Surgery and Extractions

Rodney E. Shivers, DDS operates a general oral surgery practice in Oklahoma City focused on tooth extractions, impacted wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement for both referred patients and direct walk-ins. The practice serves patients across central Oklahoma who need surgical interventions beyond the scope of routine restorative dentistry, working with referring general dentists while also accepting self-referred patients who arrive without a dental professional's recommendation.

What Rodney E. Shivers, DDS actually is

An oral surgery practice is distinct from general dentistry: while a general dentist manages fillings, cleanings, and root canals, an oral surgeon handles surgical extraction of damaged or impacted teeth, bone grafting for implant sites, and removal of cysts or other pathological structures in the jaw. Shivers' practice operates as an independent oral surgery office rather than as part of a larger dental group or hospital-based surgical center. This structure means patients can schedule extraction or implant planning appointments directly without an intermediary referral process, though many arrive through referrals from their regular dentists.

The practice accepts both established and new patients and typically schedules consultations before extraction or implant work begins. Oklahoma City patients undergoing oral surgery often travel to one of several dedicated practices rather than having the work done in their general dentist's office, since the equipment and training required for surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth or complex extractions are specialized.

Services and sedation options

Rodney E. Shivers, DDS handles routine and impacted tooth extractions, which form the bulk of oral surgery work in any general practice. Wisdom tooth removal (whether partially erupted, fully impacted, or at risk of decay) is a common procedure; impacted teeth require bone removal and soft tissue management, making them surgical cases. The practice also performs simple extractions for teeth that are severely decayed, fractured, or loose.

Dental implant planning and placement are offered as an alternative to extraction-only treatment. Implant cases begin with a consultation to assess bone quality and height at the proposed implant site; if bone is insufficient, the surgeon may recommend bone grafting before implant placement. Pricing for implants varies by case but typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 per implant depending on the amount of bone work required (confirm current fees with the office, as implant costs vary based on materials and complexity).

Sedation options available at oral surgery practices in Oklahoma City typically include local anesthesia alone, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to reduce anxiety, intravenous (IV) sedation for deeper sedation during longer procedures, and general anesthesia in hospital or surgical center settings. Confirm which sedation types Shivers' practice offers directly; some simple extractions are done under local anesthesia only, while impacted wisdom teeth often benefit from IV sedation.

How Shivers compares to other Oklahoma City oral surgeons

Oklahoma City has several oral surgery practices serving the metro area. Practitioners such as those at larger dental groups or hospital-affiliated surgical centers often handle more complex cases (like jaw reconstruction or orthognathic surgery), while independent practices like Shivers focus primarily on extractions and implants. Hospital-based oral surgery is typically reserved for medically complex patients or those requiring general anesthesia in an OR setting. Independent practices generally have shorter wait times for routine extraction consultations and may offer more flexible same-day or next-day appointment slots for emergency extractions.

The key difference is scope and setting: choose Shivers or a similar independent practice for routine impacted wisdom teeth removal or implant placement; choose a hospital oral surgery department if you have significant medical comorbidities, require general anesthesia, or need management of trauma or pathology beyond the scope of office-based surgery.

Who Shivers suits and who it does not

This practice is well-suited to patients who need wisdom tooth removal or implant evaluation and prefer a dedicated oral surgery office with direct appointment access, patients who are medically stable and can be treated under local or IV sedation in an office setting, and patients whose general dentist has referred them for surgical extraction or implant planning.

Patients requiring general anesthesia due to anxiety or medical status may be better served by a hospital or surgical center where an anesthesiologist is present. Patients with complex medical histories, significant jaw pathology, or who need hospital admission should be evaluated at an oral surgery department within a major Oklahoma City health system.

What the first visit involves

Initial appointments at oral surgery practices typically begin with a consultation rather than immediate extraction. The surgeon reviews the patient's medical history (medications, allergies, bleeding disorders, previous anesthesia reactions), performs a clinical exam, and often takes X-rays or a cone-beam CT scan to assess the tooth's position and the surrounding bone. For implant cases, imaging is especially important to determine if bone grafting is necessary.

The consultation ends with an explanation of the recommended procedure, description of sedation options, and a fee estimate. Extraction appointments can sometimes be scheduled the same day for emergency cases, but most are booked a few days to a week out to allow time for pre-operative clearance and patient preparation.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Confirm current hours with the office directly, as oral surgery practices often adjust scheduling around surgical cases. Most operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or similar) with limited or no Saturday availability. Street or lot parking is typical for Oklahoma City dental offices; verify lot availability when you call to schedule.

Pre-operative instructions typically include fasting (nothing to eat or drink) for 6 to 8 hours before sedated procedures, arranging a driver since patients cannot drive after IV sedation or anesthesia, and avoiding blood thinners for a set period before surgery. Post-operative pain and swelling are normal; ice packs and prescribed pain medication manage discomfort during the first 48 to 72 hours.

Rodney E. Shivers, DDS fills a practical niche in Oklahoma City's dental landscape: a dedicated practice for surgical extractions and implant work that serves both referred and self-directed patients without the delays or higher costs of hospital-based oral surgery for routine cases.