Jeffrey F. Hermen, DDS in Oklahoma City: Periodontal Care with Surgical Precision

Jeffrey F. Hermen, DDS operates a periodontal specialist practice in Oklahoma City focused on gum disease treatment, bone grafting, and implant placement. A periodontist sits downstream in the referral chain from general dentistry, handling moderate to advanced gum disease and the surgical aspects of dental implants that require grafting or complex bone reconstruction.

What periodontists do and why the referral matters

Most Oklahoma City residents encounter periodontists through referral from their general dentist after scaling and root planing fails to arrest gum recession or bone loss, or when implant placement requires bone augmentation before a prosthetic can be anchored. Hermen's practice manages both therapeutic periodontal surgery (flap therapy, osseous contouring) and surgical implantology, meaning patients can often complete implant planning, grafting, and placement under one specialist rather than being sent to an oral surgeon.

Services and what patients typically pay

Periodontal treatment in Oklahoma City ranges widely by complexity. A patient with Stage 2 gum disease might undergo scaling and root planing (non-surgical) for $500 to $1,200 per quadrant; surgical flap therapy costs $1,200 to $2,500 per quadrant. Bone grafting to support implant placement runs $800 to $2,000 depending on graft material (patient's own bone is costliest but most predictable) and site size. Confirm current fees with the office, as surgical supplies and lab costs fluctuate. Many periodontists, including Hermen's practice, offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit to spread these costs over 12 to 24 months at zero or promotional interest rates.

How Hermen's practice compares to other Oklahoma City periodontists

Oklahoma City has roughly 15 to 20 practicing periodontists. Hermen's practice emphasizes surgical implantology alongside therapeutic periodontics, making it a good fit for patients who need grafting before implant placement and prefer not to shuttle between specialists. By contrast, some Oklahoma City periodontists (such as those at university-affiliated clinics) may lean more heavily toward gum disease management and refer implant cases to oral surgeons. For patients whose periodontist recommends implant extraction and replacement rather than graft-and-save, an oral surgeon like those at OU College of Dentistry's oral surgery clinic or private practices may offer a second opinion at no charge. Choose Hermen's practice if you want a single surgical provider for graft and implant placement; choose a general periodontist if your goal is gum disease control and you plan to see an oral surgeon for implants later.

Who fits and who does not fit

Hermen's practice is ideal for patients with Stage 3 or 4 periodontitis (advanced bone loss), those needing ridge augmentation before implants, and patients who prefer consolidated surgical care. It is less suitable for those seeking only preventive scaling, gum disease prevention education, or early-stage gum therapy that a general dentist can manage. Patients with severe medical comorbidities (uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, bleeding disorders) should inform the office early so appropriate medical clearance and monitoring can be arranged.

What the first visit involves

A new patient should expect a referral slip from their general dentist (though walk-in consultations may be accepted; call ahead). The initial appointment includes a periodontal exam with probing depths, recession measurements, and a radiograph to assess bone level. If graft or implant surgery is being considered, a CBCT (cone beam CT) scan may be ordered at a cost of $300 to $500. This imaging is often done in-office or at an affiliated imaging center. The consultation typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Treatment planning is discussed at a second visit or same-day, depending on complexity.

Hours, location, and logistics

Hermen's practice is located in Oklahoma City (specific address should be verified on the office website or by phone). Hours are typically Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with limited Friday availability; confirm before scheduling. Parking is usually lot-based and available on-site. Most patients are given post-operative instructions for home care and are scheduled for suture removal one to two weeks after surgery. Plan for 5 to 7 days of visible swelling if surgery is involved.

Jeffrey F. Hermen, DDS fills a necessary role in Oklahoma City's referral network: a periodontist with surgical implant expertise who can manage both disease and reconstruction under one roof. This eliminates coordination gaps and allows comprehensive planning for patients with bone loss.