William J. Skaggs DDS operates as a dedicated oral surgery practice in Oklahoma City, handling tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and bone grafting procedures for patients referred by general dentists or seeking secondary surgical opinions.
Skaggs is an oral surgery specialist practice, not a general dental office. This means the practice handles procedures general dentists typically refer out: surgical extractions of impacted or complex teeth, implant placement and bone augmentation, and corrective jaw surgery consultation. Patients do not arrive without a referral from their primary dentist; the practice functions as a surgical hub within Oklahoma City's referral network.
Skaggs performs surgical extractions when teeth are impacted, fractured below the gum line, or surrounded by bone that requires removal for safe tooth retrieval. Implant placement, including assessment for bone grafting when the jaw lacks adequate density, represents a second major service line. A third is orthognathic (jaw correction) surgery evaluation.
Sedation at the practice typically includes local anesthesia with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety management. IV sedation availability should be confirmed with the office, as depth of sedation varies by oral surgeon and state licensing. General anesthesia in an operating room is not performed in-office; patients needing that level are referred to a surgical facility.
Initial consultation focuses on radiographs (X-rays or 3D scans), a surgical assessment, and a treatment plan with cost. Extraction consultations are usually brief and may happen on the same day as the procedure if the referral dentist has sent imaging ahead. Implant consultations are longer and may require a CBCT (cone-beam CT) scan, which costs $200 to $400 depending on the area scanned; ask your referring dentist whether imaging is already available before scheduling.
Oklahoma City is served by several oral surgery practices. OU College of Dentistry's affiliated clinics provide extractions and basic implant care at lower cost (often $50 to $150 for simple extractions) but with longer wait times and supervision by faculty rather than established practitioners. Private practices like those affiliated with major dental groups (Aspen Dental, dentistry chains) handle extractions but often refer complex implant and bone work to specialists. Skaggs operates independently, meaning referral dentists choose to send work here based on reputation and availability rather than corporate network ties.
Choose Skaggs if your referring dentist recommends him or if you need a second opinion on a complex extraction or implant plan. Choose a dental school clinic if cost is the primary driver and timeline flexibility is acceptable. Choose a chain-affiliated surgeon if you want continuity with your current general dentist and that dentist is part of a network.
Skaggs suits patients with impacted wisdom teeth, failed tooth restorations requiring extraction, and implant needs identified by their general dentist. It also suits patients seeking a second opinion on surgical recommendations.
It does not suit patients without a referral or those seeking general preventive dental care, cleanings, or basic fillings. It is not a pediatric practice; young patients with baby tooth extractions should go through their general dentist.
Arrive with any referral paperwork and radiographs your dentist has sent. Bring insurance cards and photo ID. Complete a surgical history form addressing medications, bleeding disorders, anesthesia reactions, and smoking status. The surgeon reviews your scans, examines the site, answers questions, and quotes a fee. Procedures often happen at a second appointment, though same-day extraction is possible if imaging and clearance are confirmed.
Confirm hours with the office directly, as they vary by day and may shift seasonally. Verify the specific street address with a phone call before your visit; oral surgery practices may relocate or operate satellite locations. Parking is typically available on-site or in adjacent lots typical of medical office complexes in Oklahoma City.
William J. Skaggs DDS fills a specific referral niche for surgically complex tooth removal and implant placement, functioning as the secondary stop in the dental care pathway for many OKC patients. The practice's role in the referral network makes it worth naming for patients weighing implant options or extraction recommendations from their primary dentist.
