At a glance
Oral surgery at Richmond Dental Care covers surgical tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal and placement of single dental implants. All procedures are done in our Richmond office with local anesthetic only, so you are awake but the area is numb.
Cost depends on the procedure and is given in a written estimate before treatment. If a case needs a specialist, we refer you. Oral surgery is part of our restorative dentistry.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Procedures | Surgical extractions, wisdom teeth, single implant placement |
| Visits | Usually 1 visit for an extraction; several for an implant |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic to numb the area; you stay awake and comfortable |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | Most PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need oral surgery?
Most people who need oral surgery come in with one of these:
- A wisdom tooth that is sore, swollen, keeps trapping food or is pushing on the tooth in front
- A tooth broken at or below the gum line
- A tooth with curved or fused roots that cannot be removed in one piece
- A root tip left behind from an earlier break
- A missing tooth you want replaced with a single implant
What oral surgery do we do in-office?
| Procedure | What it involves | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical extraction | Gum is opened and the tooth removed, sometimes in sections | Tooth extractions |
| Wisdom tooth removal | Partly or fully erupted wisdom teeth; some impacted teeth | Wisdom tooth pain guide |
| Single implant placement | Post placed in the jaw, later restored with a crown | Dental implants |
Dr. Harsh Patel’s training includes oral and maxillofacial pathology and a general practice residency; see his profile. If a tooth is deeply impacted, very close to a nerve, or you need care we do not provide, such as full-arch implants or treatment under general anesthesia, we refer you to an oral surgeon.
What happens at your surgery visit?
- Consultation: we examine the area, take X-rays and review your health history, allergies and medicines.
- Planning: we explain the procedure, recovery and cost, and give you a written estimate.
- Numbing: the area is numbed with local anesthetic and we check it before starting.
- Procedure: the tooth is removed or the implant placed, and stitches are used if needed.
- Before you leave: gauze, written aftercare instructions and a follow-up visit if one is needed.
Cost, insurance and financing
Surgical procedures are priced case by case, depending on the tooth, how it sits in the bone and whether stitches or several stages are needed. We give you a written estimate before treatment; see dental prices.
Most PPO plans and Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits help pay for this kind of treatment. We check your benefits before your visit and tell you what your plan is likely to cover, so the number you see is close to the number you pay. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Texas Medicaid/CHIP is accepted for children only. We treat children in our office from age 1 and refer to a pediatric dentist only if a child needs to be sedated for treatment. See our insurance page for details.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
Swelling is usually worst around the second or third day and then fades. Use a cold pack on the cheek in short sessions the first day, eat soft foods, and avoid straws, smoking and hard spitting so the clot stays in place. Take pain relievers as directed on the package or by your dentist.
Follow the instructions for your procedure: after a tooth extraction or after implant placement.
What are the alternatives?
| Option | When it fits | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery in our office | Most surgical extractions, many wisdom teeth, single implants | Local anesthetic; written estimate |
| Referral to an oral surgeon | Deeply impacted teeth, nerve concerns, complex cases | Separate office and fees |
| Monitoring | Wisdom teeth with no symptoms and healthy gums | Checked with X-rays at regular exams |
| Root canal | An infected tooth that can still be saved | Keeps the tooth; starting at $899 |
When to call us
Call us if a wisdom tooth area is swollen and painful (we offer same-day emergency visits during office hours), or after surgery if bleeding does not slow with firm pressure, pain worsens after the third day, or you develop a fever. For spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or a possible broken jaw, go to the ER or call 911. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday, so treatment does not have to mean a day off work (Saturday dentist in Richmond).
- Published self-pay prices for common treatment and a written estimate for everything else, with insurance benefits checked before your visit.
- Surgical extractions, wisdom teeth and single implants done in-office under local anesthetic, with a clear referral when a case needs a specialist.
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Related guides
- When to stop using gauze after wisdom tooth extraction
- Why does wisdom tooth pain come and go?
- How soon can you eat solid food after a tooth extraction?
- How smoking affects dental implants (and what you can do)
Frequently asked questions
No. All of our procedures use local anesthetic only. If you need to be asleep for a procedure, we refer you to an oral surgeon.
Most people feel much better within a few days, with swelling peaking around day two or three. The socket keeps healing for a few weeks after that.
Bone grafting is not one of our listed services. If an implant site needs more bone, we will explain your options, including a referral.
Because we use local anesthetic only, most patients can drive themselves home. If you have taken any medicine that makes you drowsy, bring a driver.
Many PPO and Medicare Advantage dental plans cover part of extractions and some surgical procedures. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment.