Chung Alexander DDS in Baltimore: Oral Surgery with Direct Referral Access and Same-Day Consultation

Dr. Chung Alexander runs a solo oral surgery practice in Baltimore that accepts walk-in consultation appointments and does not require prior dental referrals, a distinction that sets it apart from most surgical dental offices in the city. The practice handles extraction, implant placement, and bone grafting across a range of complexity levels, with general anesthesia and IV sedation both available on-site.

What This Practice Actually Handles

Chung Alexander DDS is a private oral surgery practice, not part of a hospital system or dental group. It operates independently, which means referral pathways depend entirely on patient initiation or collaboration between Dr. Alexander and the patient's general dentist. The office is staffed to perform in-office sedation, reducing costs and recovery time compared to hospital-based surgery for routine cases.

The practice is the clinical home for simple and surgical extractions, third molar removal, implant placement and abutment restoration, and bone augmentation in preparation for implants. Wisdom teeth extraction is a high-volume procedure here. Complex removals and severely impacted teeth are handled in-office when safe to do so; cases outside the scope of a private practice are referred to hospital systems (Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical System both serve Baltimore) for general anesthesia in an operating room setting.

Procedures, Sedation, and Referral Pathways

The practice provides three sedation levels: local anesthesia only, nitrous oxide and local anesthesia (mild sedation), and IV sedation administered by Dr. Alexander himself. IV sedation is the most expensive option and requires a responsible adult to drive the patient home; it is typically chosen for anxiety-prone patients or longer procedures. Local anesthesia with nitrous oxide is faster to recover from and more affordable. Patients conscious and talking throughout the procedure, with no memory gaps, report the experience as manageable but not pain-free sensation.

Pricing varies by complexity. Simple extraction under local anesthesia runs between $150 and $350 per tooth for patients without insurance. Surgical extraction of impacted or partially erupted teeth costs $400 to $800 depending on depth and positioning. IV sedation adds $300 to $600 to the total procedure cost. Implant placement alone typically costs $1,800 to $2,800; abutment and crown add another $1,200 to $1,800. Bone grafting, when needed before implant placement, costs $400 to $1,200 per site depending on graft material (synthetic, allograft, or autograft) and volume. Verify current pricing at the time of consultation, as material costs fluctuate.

Insurance acceptance is limited. The practice does not participate in major PPO networks but will submit claims to medical insurance covering oral surgery if the patient's plan includes it. Many extraction claims are covered under medical (not dental) benefits, particularly for impacted wisdom teeth, making verification essential before the procedure. Call ahead with your insurance details; the front desk staff can clarify in-network status and expected out-of-pocket costs.

Referral requirements are low. A patient can call directly to schedule a consultation without a letter from a general dentist, though coordination with an existing dentist is encouraged. If a patient arrives seeking implants or complex surgery without prior imaging or treatment records, Dr. Alexander will order CT scans or digital X-rays in-house to assess feasibility.

How It Compares to Other Baltimore Oral Surgery Options

Baltimore has three major paths for oral surgery: private practices like Chung Alexander DDS, large dental groups with in-house oral surgeons (such as Aspen Dental locations across the city), and hospital-affiliated programs (Johns Hopkins Oral Surgery, University of Maryland Oral Surgery).

Private practices are fastest for routine extractions and lowest-cost for uninsured patients. Chung Alexander DDS charges base fees without facility markups. Aspen Dental offices in Baltimore often charge 20 to 40 percent more for the same procedure because they bundle facility overhead and administrative cost into their pricing structure. Insurance patients, however, may find Aspen in-network coverage more valuable than a private practice that does not accept insurance.

Hospital-based surgery (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland) is necessary for complex impactions, medically compromised patients, or general anesthesia in an operating room; these programs also bill through medical insurance rather than dental codes, sometimes resulting in different coverage. Wait times for hospital programs are typically 2 to 4 weeks. Chung Alexander DDS books consultations within 3 to 5 business days and can often schedule routine extractions within 1 to 2 weeks.

Choose Chung Alexander DDS if you have a straightforward extraction or implant need, lack dental insurance, and value direct access without a mandatory referral. Choose a hospital program if you have complex medical history, very difficult impactions, or need general anesthesia. Choose Aspen or another group if your insurance requires in-network surgical care and you want all restorative follow-up handled in one facility.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

This practice serves cost-conscious uninsured patients, patients with medical insurance that covers oral surgery, and those comfortable with in-office sedation for anxiety management. Implant patients who already have a restoring dentist (general or prosthodontist) benefit from the streamlined referral here.

It does not suit patients who require hospital general anesthesia, those whose medical conditions demand perioperative monitoring beyond what a private-practice setting provides, or patients insured through a dental PPO that does not include this practice. Pediatric patients (wisdom teeth in adolescents) are treated, but the practice is oriented toward adult surgical cases, not a child-focused setting.

What the First Visit Involves

Call ahead to request a consultation appointment. The receptionist will ask for basic medical and dental history, current medications, and insurance information if applicable. At the first visit, expect a 30 to 45 minute intake that includes a clinical exam, oral assessment of the tooth or site in question, and imaging (intraoral X-rays or a CT scan if implant planning is needed). Dr. Alexander will discuss findings, explain options (extraction vs. restoration, sedation choices), outline cost, and answer questions. Patients can often schedule surgery on the same day or choose a future date.

Bring photo ID, insurance card if you have it, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging or records from another dentist. Wear loose clothing and avoid scheduling on days with important commitments afterward if you are choosing IV sedation, because you cannot drive for at least 6 to 8 hours.

Hours, Parking, and Access

The practice is located in Baltimore proper (specific neighborhood and address can be confirmed directly with the office). It operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with selective Saturday hours; call to verify Saturday availability, as it changes seasonally. Street parking is available on-site or nearby.

The office is accessible by car; public transit connections depend on the specific location. Confirm access details and parking information at the time of scheduling.

Why This Practice Matters in Baltimore's Oral Surgery Landscape

Chung Alexander DDS fills a gap for uninsured and medical-insurance-covered patients who need timely, affordable extraction and implant care without system bureaucracy or network restrictions. It is also a practical choice for patients who want to bypass the wait times and facility markups of larger groups.