Woodward William H Jr DDS and Joan MDD in Baltimore: Oral Surgery for Extractions and Implants

Woodward William H Jr DDS and Joan MDD is a Baltimore-based oral surgery practice offering tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and surgical extractions under sedation. The practice serves adults who require surgical-level dental intervention and accept most major insurance plans.

What this practice actually is

The practice functions as a dedicated oral surgery office, not a general dentistry clinic with surgical services attached. William H Woodward Jr (DDS) and Joan (MDD) operate as co-providers, meaning patients may see either clinician depending on scheduling and case complexity. The office handles surgical tooth removal (including impacted wisdom teeth), implant placement for tooth replacement, and complex extractions that general dentists refer out. This is a referral-based practice, meaning you typically arrive with a case recommendation from your general dentist or periodontist rather than seeking treatment independently.

Procedures, sedation options, and referral pathway

Oral surgeons handle extractions beyond simple removal: impacted teeth, surgical extractions in cases of bone loss or anatomical complexity, and extractions involving multiple teeth. Woodward and MDD offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and IV sedation for patient comfort during these procedures. IV sedation is particularly common for wisdom tooth extraction or extensive surgical cases; patients cannot drive themselves home afterward and must arrange transportation.

Implant placement involves inserting a titanium post into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. This is done during a scheduled appointment, often under sedation. Implants require a healing period (typically 3 to 6 months) before a crown is attached by your general dentist. The oral surgeon handles only the surgical placement; the general dentist or prosthodontist manages the crown.

Access to the practice occurs through referral. Your general dentist identifies a case requiring surgical expertise and submits records. You call the office to schedule, and the surgeon reviews your radiographs and medical history before your appointment.

Comparison to other Baltimore oral surgeons

Baltimore has several other oral surgery options. University of Maryland School of Dentistry Oral Surgery Clinic operates as a teaching clinic with lower costs (often 20 to 40 percent below private practice) but longer appointment times and scheduling delays because residents perform procedures under faculty supervision. Wait times can extend 6 to 8 weeks. Woodward and MDD, as a private practice, typically offers faster scheduling, often within 1 to 3 weeks of referral.

Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and Johns Hopkins Bayview operate hospital-based oral surgery services, useful if you have significant medical complexity or anxiety requiring general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Costs are higher, but medical support staff are immediately available. For straightforward wisdom tooth removal or implant placement in a healthy patient, a private practice like Woodward and MDD is more cost-effective and efficient.

Who this suits and who it does not

This practice suits adults with one or more surgical dental cases: impacted wisdom teeth, teeth broken below the gumline, tooth loss requiring implant evaluation, or significant bone loss. Patients who prefer faster scheduling and private-practice comfort over hospital settings benefit here. Patients with strong anxiety or extensive medical conditions may be better served by hospital-based surgery.

The practice does not manage pediatric cases; wisdom tooth extraction in teenagers occurs only when medically necessary, and the practice focuses on adult patients. It does not handle orthodontics, general cleaning, or cosmetic dentistry.

What the first visit involves

Your first appointment is a consultation. The surgeon reviews your imaging (X-rays or CT scans from your referring dentist), examines the surgical site, discusses the procedure and sedation options, and addresses cost and insurance. You will be asked about medical history, medications, and allergies. If you opt for IV sedation, you complete additional screening. Most consultations last 30 to 45 minutes. The actual surgery is scheduled at a separate appointment; you do not undergo extraction or implant placement on the first visit.

Before surgery, you receive written preoperative instructions (fasting, medication adjustments, transportation arrangements). After surgery, you receive postoperative care instructions and pain management guidance.

Hours, location, and logistics

The practice location and exact hours require confirmation with the office directly, as surgical practices often limit hours to accommodate operating room scheduling. Most oral surgery practices operate Monday through Thursday or Friday, with reduced hours or closures on weekends.

Parking depends on the office location within Baltimore; street parking, lot parking, or validated parking availability varies by neighborhood. Confirm parking options when scheduling your appointment.

Since IV sedation restricts your ability to drive, you must arrange a ride home. Plan for a companion to be available and wait during your procedure (typically 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity).

Woodward William H Jr DDS and Joan MDD fills a necessary role for Baltimore patients needing surgical tooth removal or implant placement outside the hospital system. Private-practice oral surgery is faster and more direct than academic clinics for routine cases, making this practice a practical choice for adults with straightforward surgical dental needs.