Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Leavenworth, KS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Leavenworth, KS: Leavenworth Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
When you need an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Leavenworth, KS, you deserve a specialist with skills you won’t find in a general dental office.
At Leavenworth Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Sterling Card brings years of advanced surgical training to every procedure, from wisdom teeth removal and dental implants to complex jaw surgery. Our practice is located inside the St. John Medical Pavilion, and we proudly serve patients across Leavenworth, Lansing, Fort Leavenworth, and the surrounding Kansas City metro area.
What Is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist who has completed years of additional hospital-based surgical training beyond dental school. The specialist’s wide range of care includes removing impacted wisdom teeth and placing dental implants to correcting jaw misalignment, treating facial injuries, and diagnosing oral pathology.
While a general dentist can handle cleanings, fillings, and basic dental work, an oral surgeon focuses specifically on surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and face. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete a rigorous residency program that includes training alongside medical doctors in hospital settings. That extra training gives them the expertise to handle complex cases safely, including the use of sedation to keep patients comfortable during procedures.
If your dentist has referred you to an oral surgeon, it means your treatment requires a higher level of surgical skill. You are in good hands with a dental surgery specialist who has dedicated their career to this kind of care.
Meet Dr. Sterling Card, DMD, MD: Your Leavenworth Oral Surgeon
Dr. Sterling Card is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who holds both a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. He is a member of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association, and the Kansas Dental Association.
Establishing Leavenworth Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in 2014, Dr. Card has spent over a decade serving patients in the Leavenworth community. His approach combines specialist-level surgical precision with a genuine commitment to patient comfort. When your care requires a surgeon, you want a specialist: and Dr. Card is exactly that.
Ready to schedule? Call (913) 772-4334 to book your consultation with Dr. Card.
Oral Surgery Services We Offer in Leavenworth
Leavenworth Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides a full range of oral surgery services, all performed by a board-certified specialist. Our procedures include:
- Dental Implants: Permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Implants are placed directly into the jawbone for a secure, long-lasting result.
- Wisdom Teeth Removal: Safe extraction of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth, with sedation options available to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Snap-On Dentures: A full-arch tooth replacement solution that locks securely onto dental implants: no messy adhesives, no slipping.
- Sedation Options: We offer multiple levels of sedation so you can relax during your procedure. Our surgical training allows us to provide sedation safely in-office.
- Bone Grafting: Rebuilds jawbone density to support dental implants or restore facial structure after tooth loss.
- Tooth Extractions: Surgical removal of damaged, decayed, or problematic teeth that cannot be saved.
- Jaw Surgery: Corrective procedures to address jaw misalignment, bite problems, and related functional issues.
Each of these services is backed by Dr. Card’s specialist training and years of surgical experience. Visit the individual service pages linked above to learn more about what to expect.
Have questions about which procedure is right for you? Call (913) 772-4334 to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose a Board-Certified Oral Surgeon Over a General Dentist?
You may have noticed that some general dental offices in the Leavenworth area offer certain surgical procedures like extractions or even implant placement. So why does it matter whether your surgeon is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist?
The difference comes down to training. An oral surgeon completes four to six additional years of hospital-based surgical residency after dental school. That training includes:
- Advanced sedation capabilities: Oral surgeons are trained to administer and monitor sedation safely, something most general dental offices are not equipped to do at the same level.
- Surgical precision: Years of focused surgical training means higher confidence with complex cases, including impacted teeth, jawbone reconstruction, and facial trauma.
- Hospital-level safety standards: Oral surgeons train in hospital operating rooms alongside medical doctors, and they carry those safety protocols into their private practices.
When you need a surgical procedure, you deserve a specialist who has dedicated their career to performing it at the highest level. That is the difference a board-certified oral surgeon makes.
Call (913) 772-4334 to schedule a consultation. Contact Us
FAQs - Terms Explained
What is Oral pathology?
Oral pathology is the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the mouth, going beyond teeth and gums. Oral pathologists look at the "soft tissues" (like your tongue and cheeks) and the jawbones to find the cause of unusual bumps, sores, or discolorations. This specialist is needed to identify and assist with oral cancer, cysts, chronic canker sores or salivary gland issues.
What is an OMS, Dental Surgery Specialist?
An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is a dental specialist who completes an additional 4 to 6 years of surgical and anesthesia residency training after dental school. While a general dentist handles routine care like fillings and cleanings, an OMS is the expert for complex procedures involving the "hard" and "soft" tissues of the face, mouth, and jaws. This includes everything from dental implants and wisdom teeth removal to corrective jaw surgery and facial trauma.
Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed if they don't hurt?
Even if your wisdom teeth aren't causing pain yet, they can still cause underlying "silent" problems. Most mouths simply do not have room for a third set of molars, which leads to impaction. If left alone, impacted wisdom teeth can shift your bite, cause decay in neighboring healthy teeth, or lead to the development of painful cysts and infections. Removing them preventatively, typically in the late teens or early twenties, ensures a much faster recovery and avoids emergency surgery later in life.
Do I need a referral to see an oral surgeon?
While many patients are referred by their general dentist, a formal referral is not required to schedule a consultation with Dr. Card’s team. Typical reasons to contact us directly include missing teeth, excessive jaw pain, wisdom teeth removal, and concern about a lesion in your mouth. We will coordinate closely with your primary dentist to ensure your treatment plan is seamless. Call (913) 772-4334 to schedule a consultation.