Frisch Lawrence DDS in Baltimore: Oral Surgery with Direct-Access Extractions and Implant Placement
Frisch Lawrence DDS is a solo oral surgery practice in Baltimore that handles tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, implant placement, and surgical extractions of impacted or complex teeth. The practice accepts self-referrals and referrals from general dentists and specialists, operates on a fee-for-service basis, and offers IV sedation and nitrous oxide for anxious patients. It sits between smaller general dentistry offices that extract simple teeth and larger hospital-affiliated oral surgery centers that serve primarily complex or medically compromised patients.
What Frisch Lawrence DDS Actually Does
Frisch Lawrence DDS performs surgical tooth removal, which differs from simple extractions done in many general dental offices. When a tooth requires surgical extraction (impacted wisdom teeth, deeply rooted teeth, or teeth with curved roots), the surgeon elevates gum tissue, removes bone if necessary, and often sections the tooth into pieces for safer removal. This work carries more complexity and risk of nerve involvement than routine pulling. The practice also places implants directly into the bone, including guided bone regeneration when the jaw ridge has lost height or width after tooth loss. Both extraction and implant placement benefit from the surgeon's training in managing the nerve structures, blood vessels, and bone anatomy specific to the jaw.
The practice accepts direct patient calls and does not require a referral, though many patients arrive through dentist referrals. This open-access model suits patients who know they need extraction or implant care and want to schedule without waiting for a general dentist appointment first.
Procedures, Sedation Options, and Referral Pathways
Frisch Lawrence DDS handles wisdom tooth removal, impacted tooth extraction, surgical extractions for broken or failing teeth, and implant placement with or without bone grafting. Surgical complexity and cost vary sharply. A straightforward wisdom tooth extraction runs lower than an impacted lower wisdom tooth requiring bone removal, and implant placement with bone grafting costs more than implant insertion alone.
Specific current pricing should be confirmed with the office, as surgical fees fluctuate with material and labor costs. The practice offers IV sedation (twilight anesthesia, administered by a trained monitor) and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anxious patients; local anesthesia alone is standard for low-anxiety patients. IV sedation allows deeper relaxation and results in memory loss during the procedure, while nitrous oxide reduces anxiety without full sedation. Patients with severe anxiety, dental phobia, or complex procedures benefit most from IV sedation, which requires a responsible adult to drive them home.
Referrals come through several pathways. General dentists send patients who need complex extractions or implants. Periodontists refer patients who have advanced gum disease and need tooth extraction followed by implant placement. Patients who have had failed orthodontic attempts may seek implant consultation. Direct self-referrals work for anyone who suspects they need surgical extraction or implant care.
How Frisch Lawrence Compares to Other Baltimore Oral Surgery Options
Baltimore holds a mix of oral surgery practices. University of Maryland School of Dentistry Oral Surgery Clinic, affiliated with the dental school, offers lower-cost extractions and implant placement performed by residents under faculty supervision; this option suits cost-conscious patients willing to accept longer appointment times and student-level procedures. Greater Baltimore Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital both operate oral surgery services, typically for complex medical cases or hospitalized patients rather than routine surgical extractions. Several larger multi-provider practices like Premier Dental operate dedicated oral surgery departments with multiple surgeons and expanded operating rooms; these practices often have shorter wait times for routine cases but charge higher overhead fees.
Frisch Lawrence's solo-practice model means shorter administrative wait times and personalized surgical planning, but less flexibility if the surgeon becomes unavailable. Choose Frisch Lawrence for a direct relationship with the operating surgeon and willingness to work within a single practitioner's schedule. Choose a larger group if you need same-day emergency care or cannot wait weeks for an appointment. Choose the dental school if cost is the primary driver. Choose hospital-based services if you have serious medical illness or need extraction and hospitalization on the same day.
Who Frisch Lawrence Suits and Who It Does Not
Frisch Lawrence suits adults with straightforward surgical extractions, failed implants, or implant placement needs who can navigate self-referral and tolerate a private practice environment. Patients with high anxiety or medical complexity benefit from its sedation options. Those seeking long-term implant investment and detailed surgical planning generally do well here.
Frisch Lawrence does not accept pediatric patients (children under 16 typically require referral to pediatric oral surgeons or dental schools). Patients requiring emergency hospitalization for life-threatening infection or anesthesia complications should go to an ER. Those without transportation cannot easily access the practice if IV sedation is planned, since they must arrange a driver. Uninsured patients on strict budgets may find the dental school clinic less expensive, though it offers less surgeon continuity.
What the First Visit Involves
Initial appointments typically include a detailed surgical history, imaging (often a panoramic X-ray or CBCT scan to visualize bone and tooth position), clinical examination, and surgical planning. The surgeon will assess tooth position, bone density, nerve proximity, and patient medical history to determine anesthesia and extraction complexity. Insurance verification occurs before the visit when possible; without insurance, the office provides a cost estimate. Patients scheduled for IV sedation receive instructions on fasting (usually 6 hours before), medications to avoid, and post-operative care. A follow-up extraction or implant placement appointment is then booked.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Verify current hours directly with the practice, as surgical schedules often include blocks for operating time separate from consultation hours. Most oral surgery practices in Baltimore operate weekday afternoons and mornings; weekend and evening emergency extraction is uncommon in private practices unless offered as an add-on. Parking depends on the specific location; most Baltimore neighborhood practices offer street parking or small lots. Patients undergoing IV sedation should arrange transportation in advance, as driving restrictions apply for several hours after sedation.
Frisch Lawrence DDS earns a place in Baltimore's surgical care landscape by offering direct-access surgical extraction and implant placement without bureaucratic delay, supported by in-office sedation options that make complex procedures manageable for anxious patients.


