Best Oral Surgeon in St. George, UT

Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery is a full-service oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in St. George offering wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, bone grafting, and corrective jaw surgery. The practice employs board-certified surgeons with specialized training in complex extractions and reconstructive procedures. Reviewed by Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery

What Defines an Oral Surgeon

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a dentist who has completed 4–6 years of additional surgical training beyond dental school, often including hospital residencies. Board certification through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons requires passing written and clinical examinations. Oral surgeons handle tooth extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, jaw reconstruction, and treatment of oral pathology. They are trained to manage complex cases, difficult anatomies, and surgical complications that general dentists cannot safely address.

Common Procedures and Outcomes

Wisdom tooth extraction is the most frequent procedure. Impacted third molars—those partially or fully trapped in bone or soft tissue—carry higher risk of infection, cyst formation, and nerve injury if removed by untrained providers. Board-certified surgeons reduce these complication rates through precise surgical technique and proper anesthesia management. Dental implants require bone volume and precise placement. When bone is insufficient, surgeons perform bone grafting using autogenous (patient’s own), allograft (cadaver), or synthetic materials. Success rates for implants placed by trained surgeons exceed 95% at 5 years in most patient populations. Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) realigns the upper and lower jaws to improve function and appearance. These procedures require careful surgical planning, often with 3D imaging and surgical guides.

Credentials and Training to Verify

When evaluating an oral surgeon, confirm:

Credential	What It Means
DDS or DMD	Doctor of Dental Surgery or Medicine (dental degree)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency	4–6 years of hospital-based surgical training after dental school
Board certification (ABOMS)	Passed written and clinical exams; maintains continuing education
Hospital privileges	Credentialed to perform surgery in accredited surgical facilities
Malpractice insurance	Active coverage for surgical liability

Board certification is voluntary but indicates rigorous training and commitment to standards. Surgeons without residency training or board certification may perform extractions, but lack the depth of training for complex cases.

What You Can Expect at Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery

Red Rock Oral and Facial Surgery provides pre-operative consultation to assess your anatomy, medical history, and surgical needs. Imaging—including panoramic X-rays and 3D cone-beam CT scans—guides surgical planning. The practice uses modern anesthesia protocols, from local anesthesia with sedation to general anesthesia, depending on procedure complexity and patient preference. Post-operative care includes detailed discharge instructions, pain management, and follow-up appointments to monitor healing. The practice manages complications if they arise and coordinates with your general dentist for ongoing care.