Graves Alan Craig, DDS in Baltimore: Oral Surgery with Sedation and Implant Options

Graves Alan Craig, DDS is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon operating in Baltimore, specializing in tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and reconstructive procedures with multiple sedation levels available. The practice accepts referrals from general dentists and works with patients who need surgical intervention beyond what a regular dental office can handle.

What Graves Alan Craig, DDS Actually Is

This is a surgical dental practice, not a general dentistry office. Oral surgeons perform procedures that require specialized training in anatomy and surgical technique. Graves' scope includes simple and complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth removal, implant placement and bone grafting, jaw reconstruction, and treatment of infections or cysts. The practice operates as a referral destination, meaning your general dentist typically initiates contact, though some patients can self-refer depending on insurance and the specific procedure needed.

Surgical Procedures and Sedation Options

Common procedures at an oral surgical practice include third-molar (wisdom tooth) extractions, which range from straightforward removals to impacted teeth requiring bone removal. Implant cases span initial placement through restoration phases. Bone grafting, often needed before implant placement, rebuilds jaw structure when years of tooth loss have left insufficient bone height or width. Socket preservation is performed after extraction to maintain the site for future implant.

Sedation options vary by procedure complexity and patient need. Local anesthesia with nitrous oxide suits patients managing mild to moderate anxiety. IV sedation, which requires a monitoring professional, offers deeper relaxation while keeping the patient conscious. General anesthesia, available for more extensive procedures, renders the patient fully unconscious. Verify specific sedation capabilities and any additional anesthesia-related fees by contacting the office directly, as these often vary by procedure and insurance.

Extraction costs depend on tooth position and impaction level; simple extractions typically cost $150 to $400, while impacted molars run $300 to $800 per tooth. Implant placement alone ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, not including the implant fixture itself or restorative crown. Bone grafting adds $400 to $2,000 depending on graft source and volume. Insurance coverage varies widely; some plans cover surgical extractions but exclude elective implants, while others cap annual benefits. Request a pre-treatment estimate with insurance verification before scheduling.

How to Choose Between Baltimore Oral Surgeons

Graves' primary distinction is local availability and surgical range; other Baltimore oral surgeons with significant local presence include those affiliated with University of Maryland School of Dentistry's graduate program, who may offer lower fees for complex cases handled by residents under supervision. Independent practices like Graves offer direct access to a single surgeon and potentially faster scheduling. Practices in hospital settings (Union Memorial and Johns Hopkins both employ oral surgeons) handle high-acuity surgical and medical complexity, including patients requiring hospital ICU monitoring or those with serious medical comorbidities; choose a hospital-based surgeon if your medical history is complicated or if your procedure is exceptionally complex.

For routine wisdom tooth removal or straightforward implant placement in an otherwise healthy patient, an independent office-based surgeon like Graves is typically adequate and often more efficient than hospital scheduling. If you are extremely anxious, medically fragile, or undergoing reconstruction after trauma or cancer, hospital-affiliated surgeons are better equipped.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

Graves works well for patients with teeth requiring surgical extraction (impacted molars, teeth fractured below the gum line, teeth in dense bone) and those who are candidates for implants but need bone grafting or complex anatomical reconstruction. The practice suits patients whose general dentists have identified a need for surgical intervention and initiated referral.

This practice does not suit patients seeking cosmetic dentistry, primary preventive care, or orthodontics; those patients need a general dentist. If you have significant medical complexity (uncontrolled diabetes, recent cardiac events, immunocompromising conditions), you may need evaluation at a hospital-affiliated oral surgery center instead.

What Your First Visit Involves

You will arrive with a referral from your dentist or as a self-referred patient, depending on your insurance. The first appointment includes a clinical examination, assessment of any existing radiographs, and often a new CBCT (cone-beam CT scan) to evaluate bone anatomy, nerve position, and sinus proximity. This imaging is critical for implant planning and complex extraction assessment. The surgeon discusses findings, reviews sedation and anesthesia options, and outlines the surgical plan with associated costs and recovery timeline. You will sign consent forms acknowledging risks (nerve injury, sinus communication, bleeding) and post-operative instructions. Most offices schedule the actual surgery for a separate appointment, though some practices perform routine cases during the same visit.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Confirm the exact address and hours by calling the office; oral surgical practices often limit hours to weekday schedules with limited Saturday availability. Parking depends on the office location; if you are receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia, you cannot drive yourself home, so arrange a companion to pick you up. Plan for 30 to 60 minutes of recovery time before discharge. Recovery from extraction or implant placement typically involves a few days of swelling and restricted diet; expect 7 to 14 days before returning to normal activity depending on procedure extent.

Graves Alan Craig, DDS fills a necessary role in Baltimore's dental landscape, providing surgical solutions for cases that exceed general dentistry scope. Selecting an oral surgeon depends on procedure type, your medical history, and insurance coverage; independent offices work well for routine surgical cases, while hospital systems are appropriate for medically complex patients.