Porcelain veneers, professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, and smile makeovers at the Apison Pike office with Dr. David Peterson, DDS

Meet Dr. David Peterson, Your Cosmetic Dentist in Ooltewah

DR DAVID PETERSON DDS

Dr. David Peterson has practiced cosmetic and family dentistry on Apison Pike for 21 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California and has cared for approximately 25,000 patients across his career. Many of them have stayed with the practice for five or more years.

Cosmetic work makes up a steady part of his weekly schedule. He has placed thousands of porcelain and composite veneers, completed hundreds of professional teeth whitening treatments, and handled hundreds of smile makeover cases that combine several procedures into one plan. He commits to 25 hours of continuing education per year and has accumulated more than 800 CE hours since dental school.

In 2025 Dr. Peterson was named a Top Dentist in Chattanooga by BusinessRate, an independent local-business rating service. He also serves as a lead dentist on mission trips with HELPS International in Guatemala and volunteers with AMEN clinics and Life Hope Centers locally.

Cosmetic Services Available at Our Ooltewah Office

Cosmetic dentistry at the Apison Pike office covers the full range patients typically ask about. The right option depends on what bothers you, how visible the issue is, how long you want results to last, and your budget. Each consultation starts with a conversation about what you want, then matches that to options that fit your teeth and your life.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are the right option when you want to change the shape, length, color, or alignment of multiple teeth at once. Treatment usually takes two or three visits: an evaluation and design appointment, a preparation and impression appointment, and a final placement appointment two to three weeks later. Porcelain veneers commonly last 10 to 15 years with good home care. Dr. Peterson has placed thousands of veneers and will walk you through the trade-offs between porcelain and composite at the first visit.

Professional Teeth Whitening

In-office whitening lifts stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, and age. The active ingredient is a higher-concentration peroxide gel than over-the-counter strips can carry, which is why one in-office session produces results most people see in the mirror right after the appointment. We also offer take-home tray whitening for patients who prefer a slower change over two or three weeks. Results usually last 12 to 24 months before a touch-up is helpful.

Cosmetic Bonding

Bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin to repair chips, smooth uneven edges, close small gaps, or cover stains that whitening cannot reach. Most bonding cases are finished in a single appointment. It is the most conservative cosmetic option, less expensive than veneers, and a good fit when the issue is limited to one or two teeth. Composite bonding usually lasts 5 to 7 years before it needs polishing or replacement.

Smile Makeovers

A smile makeover combines two or more cosmetic procedures into one coordinated plan. A typical Ooltewah smile makeover might pair whitening with composite bonding on the front four teeth, or veneers on the upper six teeth with a periodontal contouring step. We start with photos, x-rays, and a wax-up so you can see the planned result before any work begins.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges live at the boundary between cosmetic and restorative dentistry. A porcelain crown placed on a cracked or heavily filled tooth is restorative on paper (which usually means insurance coverage) but produces a cosmetic result that blends with the surrounding teeth. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring to the teeth on either side. Both are custom-fabricated and color-matched.

How a Cosmetic Consultation Works

The first appointment is a conversation, not a sales pitch. You tell us what bothers you when you smile or look in photos. We take a few photos and an updated set of x-rays if you do not already have a recent set. Dr. Peterson examines your teeth and gums, talks through the options that match what you want, and gives you a written plan with cost ranges before you leave.

You take the plan home and decide. No one calls to pressure you. When you are ready to move forward, we schedule the preparation appointment and walk you through what to expect on the day.

Insurance, Financing, and New Patient Specials

We file in-network claims with most major PPO insurance plans. Purely cosmetic work like elective whitening and veneers is usually not covered, but restorative work that also produces a cosmetic result (such as a porcelain crown on a cracked tooth) often has restorative coverage. We verify your specific plan benefits before the consultation so you know what your out-of-pocket cost will be.

For patients without dental insurance, we offer two new patient specials at the Ooltewah office. The $125 new patient exam and x-rays gives Dr. Peterson the information he needs to plan cosmetic work. The $199 new patient exam, x-rays, and healthy mouth cleaning adds a cleaning when periodontal disease is not present. Both are first-visit-only and cannot be combined with insurance.

For larger cosmetic plans, we accept CareCredit financing. CareCredit offers six-month and 12-month no-interest options on qualifying balances.

Visiting the Apison Pike Office From Ooltewah

The office is at 9325 Apison Pike #119, in the commercial corridor between Cambridge Square and the I-75 exit 11 area. The space is ground-floor with dedicated parking out front. Most Ooltewah patients drive less than 10 minutes from home. Patients commuting from the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant or other east-Hamilton-County employers often book a morning or end-of-day slot to fit dental appointments around the workday.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Friday morning slot is the most-requested time of the week, so book it early. To schedule, call (423) 396-4222 or use the online booking form.

Most Ooltewah patients reach the Apison Pike office in well under 10 minutes. The office is in the commercial section of Apison Pike between Cambridge Square and the I-75 corridor.

From central Ooltewah (Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd area)

Take Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd south to Apison Pike. Turn east on Apison Pike and continue past Cambridge Square. The office is on the right at 9325 Apison Pike #119, about a 5 to 7 minute drive.

From the I-75 exit 11 area

Take Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd north from the exit, then turn west on Apison Pike. The office is on the left after Cambridge Square, about 4 to 6 minutes from the interstate.

From the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant or Enterprise South

Take Bonny Oaks Dr east to East Brainerd Rd, then continue east to Apison Pike. The Apison Pike office is about a 12 to 15 minute drive depending on time of day. If you work day shift at the plant, the 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM slots are usually available.

Parking: dedicated lot directly in front of the office, no street parking required.

Accessibility: ground-floor entry, no stairs. The space is wheelchair accessible.

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FAQ Section

How does cosmetic dentistry differ from general dentistry?

General dentistry focuses on the health and function of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on how your smile looks. There is overlap. A porcelain crown, for example, restores a damaged tooth and improves how it looks at the same time. The conversation usually starts with what you want to change and then matches that to options that protect the tooth long term.

What cosmetic services does Peterson Family Dentistry offer at the Ooltewah office?

Porcelain and composite veneers, professional in-office teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, dental bridges, porcelain crowns, and full smile makeovers. Dr. David Peterson has placed thousands of veneers over 21 years in private practice and completed hundreds of professional whitening treatments. Smile makeovers may combine two or more of these in a planned sequence.

How much do veneers cost in Ooltewah?

Veneer pricing varies based on the material (porcelain versus composite), how many teeth are involved, and whether any preparatory work is needed first. Composite bonding veneers are less expensive per tooth than porcelain. A consultation gives you an itemized treatment plan and exact pricing before any work begins. We file with most major PPO insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing for treatments insurance does not cover.

How long does professional teeth whitening last?

Most patients see results that last 12 to 24 months. The actual range depends on what you eat and drink, whether you smoke, and how consistent you are with brushing and flossing. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco are the main causes of repeat staining. A touch-up tray every 12 to 18 months is the usual maintenance.

Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?

Most dental insurance plans treat purely cosmetic work as non-covered, which means whitening and elective veneers usually come out of pocket. The picture changes when the same procedure also restores damaged or decayed tooth structure. A porcelain crown placed to protect a cracked tooth, for example, often has restorative coverage. We verify your specific plan benefits before the consultation so you know what is covered and what is not.

Do I have to be in pain to schedule a cosmetic consultation?

No. A cosmetic consultation is for anyone who wants to talk about changes to how their smile looks. There is no pressure to commit to treatment on the first visit. The consultation gives you a written plan, options at different price points, and a timeline. You take it home and decide.

Does Dr. Peterson see patients from Collegedale, East Brainerd, and other nearby communities at the Ooltewah office?

Yes. The Apison Pike office is the primary location for patients from Ooltewah, Collegedale, Apison, and surrounding Hamilton County areas on the east side of the metro. Patients from East Brainerd and the Hamilton Place corridor are typically routed to the Jenkins Rd Chattanooga office, which is closer to that side of town. The receptionist will help you pick the better location when you book.

New Patient Specials

New Patient Exams
$125
No insurance? We offer a $125 Comprehensive New Patient Exam and X-Rays.

New patients only. Cannot be combined with insurance.

New Patient Exam & Healthy Mouth Cleaning
$199

No insurance? We offer a $199 Comprehensive New Patient Exam, X-Rays, and a Healthy Mouth Cleaning.

New patients only. Cannot be combined with insurance. Includes a Healthy Mouth Cleaning in the absence of periodontal disease.

Two Convenient Locations to Serve You

Peterson Family Dentistry
Ooltewah - Collegedale

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Peterson Family Dentistry
Chattanooga

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM