Michael S. Sparks DDS, MS
Alfred L. Lopez, DDS
Meet Our Periodontists and Team
Michael S. Sparks, DDS, MS
Dr. Sparks was raised in Odessa, Texas, and attended Texas Tech University and Baylor College of Dentistry. After completing dental school and graduating with honors, he attended a three-year specialty residency in periodontics (gum surgery) and dental implants. He also completed anesthesia training at Baylor University Medical Center and obtained certification in intravenous (IV) conscious sedation. Prior to moving to New Mexico, he practiced periodontics and dental implantology in Dallas, Texas. He was also on the faculty at Baylor College of Dentistry, training dental students and residents, as well as an attending dentist at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, treating special needs children with complex periodontal problems in a hospital center.
Having a desire to pursue private practice in New Mexico, he moved to Albuquerque and joined Albuquerque Implant and Periodontal Consultants. Inspired by his mentors, he completed a rigorous examination process given by the American Board of Periodontology, becoming one of only a few dentists in New Mexico with the distinction of being board certified in periodontics. He is currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Albuquerque District Dental Society.
He and his wife, Dr. Garen Sparks, have enjoyed making Albuquerque their home, and are especially fond of the people and lifestyle in New Mexico.
Training and Education
- Graduate of Texas Tech University with Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude
- Graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Dean’s Honor Roll
- Graduate of Advanced Specialty Training at Baylor College of Dentistry in an ADA accredited 36-month residency in periodontics, oral medicine, and dental implantology
- Awarded a Specialty Certificate in Periodontics and as well as a Master of Science in Oral Biology
- Anesthesiology training at Baylor University Medical Center, training in advanced cardiac life support, and certification to provide IV conscious sedation by the Texas and New Mexico Boards of Dental Health Care
Professional Honors and Contributions
- Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology
- Awarded the Merritt-Parks award in recognition of the most outstanding work done by a senior dental student in the department of periodontics at Baylor College of Dentistry
- Former staff member of the dental department at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Texas
- Former Assistant Professor in the Department of Graduate Periodontics at Baylor College of Dentistry
- Published research on dental implants and regeneration in the Journal of Periodontology
- Presented numerous continuing education courses for study groups of dentists and dental professionals
- Served as delegate to the New Mexico Dental Association
- Served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Albuquerque District Dental Society
Alfred L. Lopez, DDS
Dr. Lopez was raised in Albuquerque, and attended Holy Cross College, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After completing dental school, he attended a specialty residency and began practicing periodontics in 1972. Prior to private practice, he was the Program Director for Periodontal Training at the VA Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, and a professor in Graduate Periodontics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Lopez has been in periodontal practice in Albuquerque for the past nineteen years at Albuquerque Implant and Periodontal Consultants, one of the oldest periodontal practices in the Southwest. He has served as President of the Albuquerque District Dental Society and Treasurer of the New Mexico Dental Association. He has also served on the Council on Membership for the American Dental Association.
He and his wife, Dianne Lopez, a dental hygienist, have been very active in the community in Albuquerque. Dr. Lopez’s father, brother, and other family members have also practiced dentistry in New Mexico.
Training and Education
- Graduate of the University of New Mexico with Bachelor of Science degree
- Graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree
- Graduate of Advanced Specialty Training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in a residency in periodontics and dental implantology
- Awarded a Specialty Certificate in Periodontics
Professional Honors and Contributions
- Former Program Director, Periodontics, VAC, Leavenworth, Kansas
- Former Staff Periodontist, La Jolla VA Hospital, La Jolla, California
- Former Graduate Faculty, University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry
- Published research in the Journal of Periodontology, the leading peer-reviewed journal in the field
- Conducted research on numerous areas of periodontics and implantology
- Presented numerous lectures for dental societies, dental students, and continuing education courses for dentists in both periodontics and implantology
- Served as President of the Albuquerque Dental Society
- Served as Treasurer of the New Mexico Dental Association
- Served at the American Dental Association on the Council on Membership
Meet Our Team
We are extraordinarily proud of our team, which is comprised of caring and dedicated professionals. A happy patient is the best endorsement that we can receive. We are proud that former patients of our practice refer many of our patients to us. We are always working toward providing our patients with the highest quality of periodontal care in a comfortable and caring environment. To stay abreast of the very latest in periodontal and implant care, our team attends numerous continuing education courses each year.
Our Doctors
Staff
Administrative Assistants
Surgical Assistants
Dental Hygienists
10425 Montgomery Parkway NE • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
(505) 291-9000 • Fax: (505) 294-3998