Dr. Tammy Craven in Baltimore: Oral Surgery with Sedation Options for Complex Extractions and Implants

Dr. Tammy Craven is an oral surgeon practicing in Baltimore who handles tooth extractions, implant placement, and other complex dental procedures that fall outside the scope of general dentistry. Her practice accepts referrals from general dentists and serves patients who need surgical intervention, often under sedation, for procedures that require bone work or extraction of impacted teeth.

What Craven's practice offers

Craven provides oral and maxillofacial surgery services, meaning she manages extractions (simple and surgical), prepares bone for implant placement, removes impacted wisdom teeth, and handles pre-implant grafting when jaw volume is insufficient. These procedures sit at the boundary between dental and surgical care. Unlike a general dentist's office, an oral surgeon's space includes equipment for imaging, sedation administration, and bone shaping. Extractions and implant work are her core focus, not full-mouth restorations or cosmetic dentistry.

Services and sedation options

Wisdom tooth removal, particularly when teeth are partially or fully embedded in bone, is the most common procedure oral surgeons perform. Depending on the tooth's position, general dentists refer patients out rather than attempt removal themselves. Implant placement typically happens months after extraction, once the bone has healed; Craven places the implant body and may perform sinus lifts or bone grafts if the patient lacks adequate volume.

Sedation options vary by complexity and patient need. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provides light anxiety relief and is often sufficient for straightforward extractions. IV sedation, administered by an anesthesiologist or trained staff member, induces deeper relaxation and is used for longer or more complex cases like multiple impactions or implant surgery. General anesthesia is less common in a surgical dental office unless the patient is medically complex.

Pricing for tooth extractions typically ranges from $75 to $300 per tooth depending on surgical difficulty; impacted wisdom teeth cost more than fully erupted ones. Implant placement runs $1,500 to $2,500 per implant, with additional costs for grafts ($300 to $1,200) or sinus lifts ($1,000 to $2,500). These figures vary and should be confirmed at consultation. Most practices quote a full implant cost including the crown, which adds another $1,000 to $2,000.

How Craven compares to other Baltimore oral surgeons

Baltimore has multiple board-certified oral surgeons. The University of Maryland School of Dentistry operates a surgical clinic where residents perform extractions and implants under faculty supervision at lower cost (often $200 to $500 less per procedure) but with longer wait times and less scheduling flexibility. Private practices like those in the Harbor East and Canton areas typically charge standard market rates but offer same-week or next-week appointments. Academic settings suit patients on tight budgets; private practices suit those prioritizing speed and continuity of care with the same surgeon.

Who suits this practice and who does not

Craven's practice is right for patients whose general dentist has recommended extraction or implant work and who want a dedicated surgeon rather than their regular dentist attempting a complex removal. It's necessary if you have impacted wisdom teeth, need pre-implant bone grafting, or have medical complexity (blood thinners, diabetes, immunosuppression) that requires a surgeon's training. It is not suited to patients seeking cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, or general cleaning and filling work; those belong in a general practice.

What the first visit involves

Most oral surgeons do not accept walk-ins for surgery. Your general dentist sends a referral with X-rays or CBCT scans; the surgeon's office schedules a consultation. At the initial appointment, Craven will review imaging, examine the tooth or implant site, discuss anesthesia options, and answer questions about pain management, recovery time, and cost. You will sign an informed consent form listing risks (dry socket, nerve irritation, infection) and receive post-operative instructions. If you are a candidate for surgery, a date is booked; for implants, a timeline of several months from extraction to crown placement is discussed.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Confirm hours and parking directly; these details shift seasonally and between locations. Oral surgery offices typically operate weekday mornings and early afternoons, with reduced or no weekend hours. If sedation is used, arrange a ride home; you cannot drive the same day. Plan 45 minutes to 2 hours for a surgical extraction depending on complexity. Implant placement takes longer and may span multiple appointments if bone grafting is needed first.

Dr. Craven fills a specific role in Baltimore's dental care network: she removes teeth that general dentists cannot, prepares sites for implants, and offers a choice of sedation for anxious patients. This surgical specialty is essential infrastructure in the city's dental ecosystem.