Glendale, Arizona
From wisdom tooth removal to complex extractions, tori reduction, and root-end procedures, Dr. Dawson performs advanced surgical dentistry in-house at SmileScience -- with CBCT imaging, IV sedation, and same-day restorative care available under one roof.
Fellowship-Trained General Dentist
Dr. Dawson performs a full range of surgical dental procedures as a general dentist with fellowship-level surgical training through the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) -- the world's largest organization for implant and surgical training in general dentistry. He has performed thousands of surgical extractions and wisdom tooth procedures at SmileScience.
Patients in Glendale searching for oral surgery services are often surprised to learn that most common surgical procedures -- extractions, wisdom teeth, tori reduction, apicoectomy -- do not require a specialist referral when performed by a fellowship-trained general dentist with the right imaging and anesthesia support. Keeping surgical care in-house means fewer appointments, consistent care under a provider who knows your full dental history, and restorative work completed in the same practice.
Dr. Dawson uses CBCT cone beam 3D imaging for pre-surgical planning on complex cases, ensuring accurate anatomy assessment before any surgical procedure begins. IV sedation is available for patients who prefer to be deeply relaxed -- administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, not the dentist.
Some procedures genuinely require a specialist. When they do, we will tell you honestly and send you to the right provider. But most surgical dental procedures that patients assume require a referral can be handled here, more conveniently and with full continuity of care.
-- Richard Dawson, DMD
What We Treat
From planned procedures to urgent extractions, these are the surgical services available at our Glendale practice.
Simple and surgical extractions for teeth that cannot be saved due to decay, fracture, infection, or periodontal disease. Sedation available. Replacement planning included.
Tooth Extractions →Erupted and impacted third molar extractions, including full bony impactions. CBCT imaging for difficult cases. IV sedation for anxious patients or multi-tooth procedures.
Wisdom Teeth →Surgical reduction of mandibular or palatal tori -- bony growths that interfere with denture fit, speech, food trapping, or oral hygiene. Typically a single outpatient procedure.
Tori Reduction →Surgical root-end treatment when root canal retreatment is not feasible or has failed. The infected tip of the root is removed and sealed from the outside to allow healing.
Apicoectomy →Dr. Dawson reviews your dental history and takes digital X-rays or a CBCT 3D scan depending on the procedure. For complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth, or apicoectomy, 3D imaging provides anatomy detail that 2D X-rays cannot. You receive a clear explanation of findings and treatment options before anything is scheduled.
A surgical plan is created, including whether local anesthesia alone is sufficient or whether nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation is appropriate. IV sedation is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist and is available for anxious patients, multi-tooth procedures, and any case where you prefer to have no awareness of the procedure.
You will be numb and comfortable before any instrument is used. Surgical extractions use luxators and elevators to minimize bone stress. Wisdom tooth surgery uses sectioning when needed to reduce trauma. Tori reduction reshapes bone under local or IV sedation. Apicoectomy accesses the root tip through a small gum incision. Most procedures take 30 to 90 minutes.
The surgical site is sutured when appropriate. You receive written post-operative instructions, a prescription for pain management if needed, and any required antibiotics. You leave with our direct contact information for questions or concerns after hours.
A post-operative check confirms healing. If the surgical procedure involved tooth removal, Dr. Dawson or Dr. Turke discusses replacement options -- dental implant, bridge, or other restorative solutions -- so you have a complete treatment plan before you leave the surgical appointment.
| Procedure | Procedure Time | Return to Normal Activity | Full Healing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction | 10 -- 20 min | 1 -- 2 days | 1 -- 2 weeks |
| Surgical extraction | 30 -- 45 min | 2 -- 3 days | 2 -- 4 weeks |
| Wisdom teeth (1 -- 4) | 30 -- 90 min | 3 -- 5 days | 2 -- 4 weeks |
| Tori reduction | 30 -- 75 min | 3 -- 5 days | 4 -- 8 weeks |
| Apicoectomy | 45 -- 90 min | 2 -- 3 days | 6 -- 18 months (bone fill) |
Times are estimates. Your dentist will give a specific expectation based on procedure and case complexity.
Comfort During Surgical Procedures
Anxiety about surgical procedures is normal. We offer sedation at every level so you can get necessary care without dreading the experience.
Light relaxation through a nasal mask. You stay awake and responsive. Effects clear within minutes. You can drive yourself home.
Nitrous Oxide →A prescription sedative taken before your appointment. You are drowsy and deeply relaxed with little memory of the procedure. A driver is required.
Oral Sedation →Deeper sedation by a board-certified anesthesiologist -- not the dentist. You are deeply relaxed with essentially no awareness or memory. A driver is required. Recommended for multi-tooth surgery and highly anxious patients.
IV Sedation →Full details on our sedation dentistry page.
After Your Procedure
Most patients are back to normal activity within 1 to 3 days. Recovery varies by procedure and complexity.
Specific instructions depend on the procedure performed. You will receive written post-operative instructions before you leave, and we encourage you to call with any questions during recovery.
Surgical dental procedures performed in a general dental office by a fellowship-trained general dentist have comparable outcomes to specialist-performed procedures for most common indications. Patient selection, pre-surgical imaging, and appropriate anesthesia management are the primary factors in outcome quality.
Interactive wisdom tooth decision tool
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out — and not every case is urgent. Walk through the same questions a dentist uses: current symptoms, eruption position, space, root formation, and risk to the teeth in front. Most patients finish in under two minutes.
Final decision requires an X-ray and clinical exam. Impaction angle, root formation, and proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve cannot be assessed without imaging. This tool helps you understand the clinical reasoning before your appointment.
Reference
Every wisdom tooth case lands in one of five categories. The sign pattern on the left is what a dentist looks for; the description and recommended next step are on the right. Only an in-person exam with a current panoramic X-ray can confirm your category.
Signs and criteria
Active spreading infection from a wisdom tooth is a dental emergency. Swelling that moves into the face or neck, jaw stiffness, or trouble swallowing require immediate treatment — call now or go to urgent care.
Learn more Wisdom tooth care at Smile Science →
Signs and criteria
Recurring pericoronitis (infection under the gum flap) or early damage to the adjacent tooth are indications for extraction within weeks. Waiting increases the risk of a more serious infection or permanent damage to the second molar.
Learn more Wisdom tooth care at Smile Science →
Signs and criteria
An impacted or difficult-to-clean wisdom tooth that is not causing acute symptoms but represents a predictable future problem. Extraction is simpler, heals faster, and has fewer complications the earlier it is done.
Learn more Wisdom tooth care at Smile Science →
Signs and criteria
Current symptoms do not point clearly to extraction, but a clinical exam and panoramic X-ray are needed to assess impaction angle, root formation, proximity to the nerve canal, and risk to adjacent teeth. Many patients discover an impaction they were unaware of.
Learn more Wisdom tooth care at Smile Science →
Signs and criteria
Fully erupted wisdom teeth with good position, no signs of gum disease, and no crowding risk may not need removal. Annual X-ray monitoring confirms they remain in a stable, maintainable state.
Learn more Wisdom tooth care at Smile Science →
Yes. Dr. Dawson performs all surgical dental procedures at SmileScience. He holds fellowship training from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), which includes surgical implant placement, complex extractions, and related hard and soft tissue procedures. For procedures that genuinely require an oral and maxillofacial surgeon -- such as jaw surgery or pathology biopsies -- he will refer appropriately and explain why.
Most patients referred out for surgical procedures can be treated in a general dental office by a dentist with the appropriate training and equipment. Advantages include continuity of care with a provider who knows your complete dental history, fewer appointments, restorative work completed in the same office, and often shorter wait times than specialist practices. The quality of outcome depends on the provider's training and imaging capability -- not the practice type.
No. Routine simple extractions and most soft tissue procedures are performed with standard dental X-rays. CBCT 3D imaging is ordered when anatomy is complex or unclear -- including impacted wisdom teeth with unusual angulation or proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve, suspected root fractures, pre-surgical implant planning, and apicoectomy cases.
A simple extraction takes 10 to 20 minutes. A surgical extraction of a single broken or infected tooth typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Impacted wisdom tooth removal ranges from 30 minutes for a single erupted tooth to 90 minutes for four fully bony-impacted thirds. You will receive a time estimate when you schedule.
Most surgical procedures can be performed comfortably with local anesthesia alone. IV sedation is available and recommended for highly anxious patients, multi-tooth procedures, complex impacted wisdom tooth surgery, and patients who prefer to have no awareness of the procedure. Your dentist will discuss options at your consultation and help you choose the level of sedation that fits your case and preferences.
Tori are benign bony growths on the floor of the mouth (mandibular tori) or the roof of the mouth (palatal torus). They are common and usually require no treatment. Reduction is recommended when tori interfere with denture fabrication or fit, cause food trapping, impede oral hygiene, or cause discomfort. The procedure is performed under local or IV sedation and typically heals in 2 to 4 weeks.
An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tip of a tooth root and seal it from the outside. It is used when root canal treatment has not resolved an infection or when retreatment is not technically feasible due to posts, calcification, or access limitations. A small incision is made in the gum, the infected root tip is removed, and the canal is sealed with a biocompatible material. Most apicoectomies heal in 2 to 4 weeks.
Most dental plans that include oral surgery benefits cover common surgical procedures such as tooth extractions, impacted wisdom tooth removal, and apicoectomy. Coverage amounts vary significantly by plan -- many plans cover 50 to 80 percent of surgical fees after the deductible, subject to annual maximums. Tori reduction is often covered when performed to enable denture fabrication. We recommend requesting a pre-authorization from your insurance carrier before scheduling so you have a clear estimate of your out-of-pocket cost. Our front desk assists with the pre-authorization process and can provide a fee estimate at your consultation.
4.9 (437 reviews)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Smile Science Dental Spa, and I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and service provided by the entire team. Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke are both incredibly skilled and made me feel completely at ease throughout my procedures. Their professionalism, combined with their gentle approach, made me feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. I was especially impressed that I was able to get a same-day crown(apparently their first ever!), which exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t believe how quick and seamless the process was. It really saved me time and made the experience even more convenient. Cindiray and Angeles, the dental assistants, were equally wonderful. They were not only friendly and attentive but also thorough in explaining everything and made sure I was relaxed during each phase of my visit. Lastly, a big thank you to Litzy at the front desk, who greeted me with a smile and helped with scheduling and any questions I had. She made the entire check-in process a breeze. From start to finish, my experience at Smile Science Dental Spa was exceptional. I'll be returning for sure. I highly, highly, highly recommend them for anyone looking for high-quality dental care.
View Full Review on GoogleDusty
Honestly I’ve never been so happy to go to the dentist. I came in (late due to Lyft) and was still taken care of and treated with care. Even without insurance (kicking in within the next month) prices for an extraction on my infected tooth were more than reasonable. I was able to get more than expected done in the same visit. Dr. Dawson and his team made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Won’t go anywhere else.
View Full Review on GoogleCherish B
I recently started as a patient after leaving our long-time family Dentist and couldn’t be happier! Marcela is AMAZING and a FANTASTIC hygienist!!!! 😃 Dr Dawson is great too! Every time I visit, they make me feel like family.
View Full Review on GoogleTJ Winzeler
Myself and my family had previously gone to Dr. Turk at another dental office that he worked at. He had relocated and we did not know where he had gone to until this week. Today I got in with Dr. Turk and he took the time to look at my x-rays carefully . I was having pain from a tooth and some other issues. The previous Dentist I went to that I saw just a few days earlier, he did not find any issues with my tooth which I had pain in. Dr. Turk identified infection and referred me to an endodontist. He is very gentle as a wonderful disposition and my self and my family are thrilled to be able to get back with him. The office is lovely, relaxing music, heat and massage chair.I have always been very nervous and some anxiety going to dentist as I have had bad reactions with the anesthesia. I am confident that Dr. Kirk will help me get through my next appointment just fine. “The staff are very kind and attentive. I am looking forward as I have quite a bit of work to be done, and I know I’m in good hands with Dr. Turk and his staff. Five stars!⭐️ Sherry
View Full Review on GoogleSherry Redmond
I recently moved to Arizona and had an issue with a tooth repair from 15 years back. Not knowing anyone here in my new home, I searched dentists close to me. I chose Smile Science much like pinning the tail on the donkey and my selection couldn't have been better! What a terrific staff! Dr. Turke was concerned the tooth would need to be extracted, but said he wanted to take a shot at saving it..and that's just what he did! After setting a temporary crown, I was on my way with an appointment to install the permanent crown in the following two weeks. That evening I received a call I've never received from a dentist. Dr. Turke had taken the time to follow up with me to make sure I wasn't in any discomfort..I was completely caught off guard by this kind of attention to detail and caring for my well being. The permanent crown is now in place, it fits and feels fantastic, the job and treatment are first class! Thank you, Dr. Turke and staff for taking in this stray and giving me a home dentist! I'd like to say that I'm just good at selecting blindly, but the truth is I am very lucky..and I'll take lucky over being good any day of the week! Thank you, again and Happiest of New Year's in 2026, Science Smile!!
View Full Review on GoogleEddy
Related Services at Smile Science Dental Spa
Dr. Dawson offers consultations for all surgical dental procedures at SmileScience Dental Spa in Glendale. Call or book online -- we will review your imaging, explain your options, and give you a clear plan before any procedure is scheduled.
