Michael S Stern, DDS in Baltimore: Surgical Extraction and Implant Placement with Sedation Options

Michael S Stern, DDS, is an oral surgeon in Baltimore offering surgical tooth extractions, implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, and bone grafting under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. The practice serves patients who need complex extractions, those referred by general dentists for implant surgery, and individuals seeking wisdom tooth removal before impaction or pain develops.

What This Practice Handles

Stern's practice focuses on surgical procedures that general dentists typically refer out. The primary services are extraction of impacted or surgically complex teeth (including third molars), placement of dental implants with preliminary bone grafting where needed, and removal of retained root tips. The practice accepts both new patients and established patients referred by their general dentists. Stern works with adult patients and does not provide pediatric oral surgery.

Procedures and Sedation Options

Surgical extractions differ from simple extractions because the tooth is either below the gum line, has curved or fused roots, or requires bone removal to access. Wisdom tooth removal represents the largest share of oral surgery referrals; Stern removes impacted and partially erupted third molars to prevent crowding, infection, or cyst formation later.

Implant placement begins with a consultation to assess bone volume; if bone is insufficient, a graft using the patient's own bone, donor bone, or synthetic material is placed first. The implant itself is typically inserted 4 to 6 months after grafting, followed by 3 to 6 months of osseointegration before the restorative dentist places the crown.

Sedation options shape the patient experience and cost. Local anesthesia alone is standard and requires no additional fee. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) adds mild anxiety relief and costs approximately $75 to $100 for the appointment. IV sedation, which produces deeper relaxation and partial memory loss of the procedure, typically ranges from $300 to $500 depending on length and complexity. Verify current sedation fees with the office, as rates can shift.

Implants vs. Extraction Alone

Oral surgeons in Baltimore include Delbert Davis Jr., DDS (Canton), who also offers implants and sedation, and practices affiliated with University of Maryland School of Dentistry, which provides training clinic implants at lower cost but with longer appointment times. Stern's advantage is a private practice setting with potentially shorter wait times and established protocols. The trade-off: implants at a private practice cost more than a training clinic. A single implant crown in Baltimore typically ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 total (surgery plus restoration); choose a training clinic if cost is the limiting factor and you can accommodate longer visit times.

Extraction without implant replacement is the older standard and remains appropriate if the tooth is not in the visible zone, the patient has existing dentures or bridges, or cost must be minimized. Extraction alone costs less upfront (surgical extraction: $300 to $800 depending on complexity) but does not preserve the jawbone, which resorbs after tooth loss, affecting facial structure and making future implants harder.

Who This Fits and Who It Does Not

Stern's practice suits patients whose general dentist has referred them for complex extractions, candidates for implants who want surgical placement in one office, and people with anxiety around dental procedures who value sedation options. It suits patients with insurance that covers surgical extractions, as Stern files claims on patient behalf.

It does not suit patients seeking simple extractions for teeth already loose or above the gum line; these belong in a general dentist's office. It does not serve pediatric patients. It is not the right choice for someone who cannot afford implants and will not consider extraction; Stern's expertise is surgical and restorative, not alternatives to extraction.

What to Expect at the First Visit

The initial appointment includes imaging (typically a 3D CBCT scan for implant cases), examination of the tooth or site, discussion of the procedure, review of anesthesia options, and treatment planning. If the tooth is impacted and will require bone removal, Stern explains this during the consultation. For implants, the consultation focuses on bone quantity and quality; if augmentation is needed, it is either done at the implant placement or staged beforehand. The visit typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes and may result in a separate surgical appointment scheduled weeks later, allowing time for healing if grafting precedes implant placement.

Hours, Location, and Parking

The practice is located in Canton and operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional Saturday hours; confirm availability and book at least two weeks in advance for routine cases. Parking is on-street or in a nearby lot. Stern's office does not routinely list a cancellation line, so arriving early or calling if running late is standard courtesy.

Stern's practice fills a necessary role in Baltimore's dental ecosystem: oral surgeons are the essential filter for complex extractions and implant placement that general dentists cannot safely perform in their offices. A private oral surgeon with sedation capabilities reduces referral wait times compared to hospital-based oral surgery, which is reserved for patients with significant medical comorbidities.