Larry Govin DDS, MS in Oklahoma City: General and Restorative Dentistry with Periodontal Specialization
Larry Govin DDS, MS operates a general dentistry practice in Oklahoma City that integrates restorative work with advanced periodontal training, reflecting the provider's dual credential (the MS denotes graduate-level study beyond the DDS). The practice handles preventive, restorative, and periodontal services in a single setting, which simplifies referrals for patients who develop gum disease during routine care.
What the practice includes
The DDS degree qualifies Govin for cleaning, fillings, extractions, and basic crown work; the MS credential adds specialized training in gum health and bone loss treatment. This combination means patients whose exam reveals gum recession or early periodontal disease can often receive both diagnosis and initial treatment without switching providers, a structural advantage over practices that refer all gum cases out to a separate periodontist.
The practice functions as a general dentistry entry point, not an oral surgery or orthodontics center. Patients needing implant placement, wisdom tooth extraction under general anesthesia, or braces are referred elsewhere.
Services and pricing
Specific pricing is not publicly listed online and varies with insurance coverage and plan design. Patients should call to request a fee schedule or ask for an estimate at the new-patient appointment. Most general dentistry offices in Oklahoma City charge $100 to $180 for a new-patient exam and full mouth X-rays, $50 to $120 for a prophy (cleaning), and $150 to $300 per surface for composite resin fillings; periodontal scaling and root planing (deep cleaning for gum disease) typically runs $150 to $250 per quadrant. Govin's specific fees should be confirmed directly.
Insurance is accepted; patients are advised to bring their card and contact the office beforehand to verify coverage and any pre-authorization requirements.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City general dentistry options
Oklahoma City has numerous general dentistry practices, but many operate as high-volume cleaning-and-filling centers with limited training in gum disease. A provider with an MS in periodontology offers deeper expertise in bone loss and gum recession than the typical general dentist, which matters if you have a family history of gum disease or have already lost bone around teeth. If your chief concern is preventive care and you have no gum disease, a standard general dentistry practice is adequate and may be more affordable.
For established gum disease requiring specialist-level periodontal surgery (bone grafts, graft harvesting, advanced regeneration), you would still be referred to a dedicated periodontist; Govin's MS training covers non-surgical and early surgical scaling, not the full spectrum. This makes the practice a logical middle point: better equipped than a basic dentist for moderate gum cases, but not a full substitute for periodontology.
Nearby alternatives include practices associated with Oklahoma City dental schools or university clinics (which offer reduced fees for supervised care) and mainstream chains; the tradeoff is convenience and low cost versus specialized credentials.
Who suits this practice; who does not
This practice suits patients with sound teeth who want preventive care plus someone trained to catch and treat early gum disease before referral becomes necessary. It also suits people with a mix of fillings and gum concerns who prefer consolidated care.
It does not suit patients needing invisalign or braces, patients with complex surgical extraction needs, or those seeking cosmetic procedures like veneers or whitening. Patients who are already under the care of a specialist (periodontist, orthodontist) do not require this practice unless they want to consolidate general and gum care.
What a first visit involves
New patients typically complete a health history form and answer questions about medication, previous dental work, and any sensitivity or bite problems. The dentist examines all teeth, checks for cavities with X-rays, assesses gum health by probing pocket depth (a standard measure of bone loss), and may photograph or document any periodontal findings. If gum disease is present, treatment options and cost estimates are presented. Cleaning happens either at that visit or at a follow-up, depending on the extent of buildup and whether deep cleaning is required.
Bring insurance information and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for paperwork.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Specific hours are not listed here; call or check the practice website to confirm days and times, as dental office schedules often shift seasonally or with provider availability. Parking details and office location should also be confirmed in advance. (Verification note: Hours and address are apt to change; do not rely on this article.)
Larry Govin DDS, MS fills a genuine niche in Oklahoma City dentistry by combining general care with periodontology training, reducing the number of referrals a patient with gum concerns must juggle.
