
Oral Surgery
Dr. Dustin J. Hopkin is an expert oral surgeon who focuses on providing his patients with the highest quality care.
Whether you need a simple wisdom tooth extraction or more complex oral and maxillofacial surgery to repair oral trauma, he can help.
Learn more about how the team at Hopkin Oral Surgery in Salt Lake City, UT, can restore, repair, or improve the tissues of the mouth...
When Is an Oral Surgeon Needed?
There are a variety of different circumstances that may require oral surgery. In some cases, an oral surgeon is needed to reconstruct and repair damage to the tissues from trauma sustained in an accident. In other cases, a patient may need oral surgery to restore oral health or to prepare for other procedures. Using precise techniques and drawing upon his many years of experience, Dr. Hopkin can perform oral and maxillofacial surgery to help restore his patients' full oral function.
What is Maxillofacial Surgery?
Maxillofacial surgery is the practice of treating conditions in or around the face, jaw, and mouth. The term is often used interchangeably with “oral surgeon,” but maxillofacial surgeons can also treat the lower half of your face—including the jawbone and roof of your mouth—in addition to tooth and dental care.
How Tooth Loss Can Result in an Aged Appearance

"10/10 Recommend Dr. Hopkin and His Amazing Staff"
Read Our 5-star Google Reviews
I definitely made the right choice. Very respectful and down to earth, I was never rushed or made to feel anything but the most important person in the room. And it wasn't just Dr. Hopkin. The entire staff was this way, 100% of the time. I was having all of my remaining top teeth removed and getting a top denture. The procedure was so fast and comfortable, I chose to be put under anesthesia. Full instructions for after care, full attention to any questions or concerns I may have had. 10/10 recommend Dr. Hopkin and his amazing staff. Thank you all for making this so easy to get finally taken care of. ❤️
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A review from a different perspective. I am a general dentist and have had referred many cases to Dr. Hopkin. He is a gifted surgeon who has amazing interpersonal skills. He keeps my patients informed and comfortable throughout the whole process. And when dealing with larger/complex cases, having good communication between the specialist, dentist, and patient is essential to achieving the desired outcomes. After seeing his work for the past two years, if my family or I needed to see an oral surgeon, we would be going to Dr. Hopkin (and I don't say that about all the dentists and specialists I have worked with).
Contact Our Dental Practice
Dr. Dustin J. Hopkin is a dentist and board-certified oral surgeon in Utah with more than 10 years of experience. He has undergone extensive oral surgery training, performs a comprehensive range of procedures, and can provide you with treatment to restore or repair your full oral function. Whether you need oral and maxillofacial surgery to repair trauma, place dental implants, or extract wisdom teeth, you can rely on Dr. Hopkin to provide quality care.
If you are in need of an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, contact our dental practice online or call us in Salt Lake City at:
(801) 277-3942
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Oral Surgeon vs General Dentists
Oral Surgeons
- Are equipped with the knowledge and techniques to treat complicated cases
- Have more experience with surgical procedures to produce consistent results
- Have access to specialized tools and technology for minimally invasive procedures
General Dentists
- Have a solid understanding of dentistry as a whole, but no specialization
- Are great for cleanings and taking care of minor to moderate dental issues
- Have access to a wide variety of technologies but may not have specialized tools for surgeries
Types of Oral Surgery
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically embedded into the jawbone to replace missing roots of the teeth. The implants can then support high-quality restorations, such as a crown, bridge, or full dentures. Many general dentists refer their patients to Dr. Hopkin for implant placement because he has undergone extensive training with implants in addition to earning his DDS. He uses the latest surgical instruments and equipment, and he offers many types of dental implants, including Nobel, Straumann, and All-on-4®.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, can cause a variety of dental problems for patients. The teeth may not fully erupt, or may come in at an odd angle. They can cause a lot of pain and sensitivity in the surrounding teeth and gums, as well as pain near the jaw. If they are not removed, they can cause the other teeth to shift, resulting in misalignment. Extracting these molars can eliminate any discomfort and prevent further complications. At Hopkin Oral Surgery in Salt Lake City, we use gentle extraction techniques and sedation for a more comfortable patient experience.
Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts
Bone grafts and sinus lifts are most commonly performed prior to dental implant surgery. These procedures supplement the bone tissue in the jaw to properly support implants at a later time. Dr. Hopkin can also perform bone grafting and sinus lifts to repair tissues after a traumatic injury, to remove tumors, or to correct congenital defects.
Surgical Correction of TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a common affliction. Many patients find relief through conservative and non-surgical methods, such as the use of oral appliances. However, sometimes surgery is needed to correct the problem and provide the patient with long-term relief. If surgical intervention is necessary, Dr. Hopkin can provide steroid injections or perform open joint repair at our Salt Lake City practice to alleviate the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Treatment for Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma
When oral and facial trauma occur, typically in motor vehicle and sports accidents, surgery is often needed to repair and reconstruct the damaged tissues. This can include treatment of fractures in the upper and lower jaws, cheekbones, nose, eye sockets, and forehead. Treatment may also include procedures for missing or chipped teeth and soft tissue injuries.
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
Pre-prosthetic surgeries are performed to improve the fit of a prosthesis such as a partial or full denture. These procedures may include ridge augmentation or reduction, gum contouring, and exposure or removal of impacted teeth.
Tooth Extraction
When absolutely necessary, a tooth extraction can alleviate discomfort from a badly damaged, decayed, or infected tooth. Dr. Hopkin can also remove teeth prior to orthodontic treatment if you do not have enough room for movement of the teeth in your jaws. Saving a tooth with cavity treatment or a root canal infection is always ideal; but in some cases, tooth extraction, paired with dental implant placement or orthodontic treatment, is the best way to improve the patient's oral health.
Oral Biopsy
For more complicated cases and conditions, Dr. Hopkin can take a sample of tissue from the mouth and test it for a more accurate diagnosis. An oral biopsy can be particularly useful to diagnose oral cancers and pinpoint the source of symptoms that are associated with other oral health issues and general wellness conditions that affect the mouth.
We'd Love to Hear Your Questions
We understand that any type of surgery can sound intimidating, but sometimes a procedure is necessary for your oral health and well-being. We encourage you to ask any and all questions before moving forward with a surgical procedure. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dustin J. Hopkin, DDS is a great resource to learn more about these procedures.
While requesting a consultation gives you the most discussion time with Dr. Hopkin, you can also submit individual questions or call our office at:
(801) 277-3942

"Worth every penny and virtually painless!" Helping Patients All Over Utah
Dr. Hopkin and his staff were very professional. The office was immaculate as well. They clearly explained my options with the procedure and what the process would entail. They also gave me proper expectations regarding insurance coverage. I’m very happy with the entire visit and would definitely recommend Dr. Hopkin to anyone.
View On GoogleExcellent staff and doctor! Got in and out fast, Dr. Hopkin does excellent work. Worth every penny and virtually painless! As fun as it is to need work done, Hopkin Oral made my experience exceptional. For a specialty doctor office i was surprisingly in and out fairly quickly, and excellent work done. Thank you again!
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Why Wisdom Tooth Removal Is So Important

Why Choose Our Practice For Your Oral Surgery Needs in Utah?
State-of-the-art Facility
Dr. Hopkin uses state-of-the-art dental equipment, including 3D imaging, which allows him to create the most comprehensive and individualized treatment plan to best suit his patientsʼ needs.
Financing Options
To help patients afford treatment, our office in Salt Lake City accepts CareCredit® financing and in-house payment plans. These plans break up the cost of treatment into monthly payments.
Same-Day Appointments
Dr. Hopkin and the rest of our friendly team understand that dental emergencies happen. We are proud to offer same-day appointments so we can address dental problems immediately.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
For those who suffer from dental anxiety, we offer several forms of sedation dentistry that can help you relax during a procedure at our Salt Lake City office. We can combine some sedation techniques with local anesthesia to provide a comfortable experience.
Patients can choose one of three major sedation options:
Nitrous Oxide

The mildest form of conscious sedation is nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.” It helps you relax while staying aware of your surroundings. The effects wear off almost immediately so you can still drive yourself home after the procedure.
Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is taken in the form of a pill before surgery, and its strength varies depending on the type and dosage. You will still be conscious during the procedure, but oral sedation usually causes drowsiness which may take some time to wear off.
IV Sedation

We also offer IV sedation, which delivers the medication through a needle in the back of your hand attached to an IV drip. For this type of sedation, patients stay awake but enter a dream-like state where they don’t remember much about the procedure afterward.
"So Quick and Painless!" More 5-Star Reviews From Salt Lake City Patients
We had a great experience at Dr. Hopkin’s office. He came highly recommended to us and we weren’t disappointed. The office staff is friendly. Dr. Hopkin is such a nice guy and he explained the procedure clearly. We will definitely go back if we are in need of an oral surgeon.
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I just had surgery. It was so quick and painless! The whole procedure started before I could get anxious. All of, the staff are helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. But, most importantly, Dr. Hopkin is extremely skilled, like I said quick and painless. 10 out of 10 recommend!