Tooth Extraction in Chattanooga, TN

Same-day extractions at our Jenkins Rd office, serving the greater Chattanooga area.

Our Chattanooga Office: Jenkins Rd in East Brainerd

Peterson Family Dentistry's Chattanooga office is at 3328 Jenkins Rd Ste 100, technically in the East Brainerd neighborhood near Hamilton Place mall. The location is easy to reach from anywhere in greater Chattanooga: I-75 (Exit 5, Shallowford Rd) is a few minutes north, the Brainerd Rd / East Brainerd Rd corridor connects to most of the east side of the city, and downtown Chattanooga is about a 15- to 20-minute drive depending on traffic.

If you live downtown, on Lookout Mountain, in North Chattanooga, in Hixson, or anywhere else in greater Chattanooga, this office is your local Peterson Family Dentistry location.

Driving Directions from Around Greater Chattanooga

From downtown Chattanooga: Take I-24 east to I-75 north, then Exit 5 to Shallowford Rd. About 15 to 20 minutes.
From Lookout Mountain: Take I-24 east, then I-75 north to Exit 5. About 20 minutes.
From North Chattanooga / Riverview: Take Highway 153 south to I-75, then south to Exit 5. About 15 to 20 minutes.
From Hixson: Take Highway 153 south to I-75, then south to Exit 5. About 20 to 25 minutes.
From Brainerd: Take Brainerd Rd east, turn onto Jenkins Rd. About 5 to 10 minutes.
Office: (423) 206-9660

Directions

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Looking for a Specific Neighborhood?

Chattanooga is large enough that some neighborhoods have their own dedicated page on this site. If your neighborhood is one of them, the more specific page will have driving directions and details that are tailored to where you live.

East Brainerd: The Jenkins Rd office sits in East Brainerd. The East Brainerd page (https://petersonfamilydentistry.com/dentist-near-me/tooth-extraction-east-brainerd/) covers the Hamilton Place / East Brainerd Rd corridor specifically.
East Ridge: The East Ridge page (https://petersonfamilydentistry.com/dentist-near-me/tooth-extraction-east-ridge/) covers patients south of the city near Ringgold Rd and Camp Jordan.

Otherwise, this page covers everyone else in greater Chattanooga.

When a Tooth Has to Come Out: How We Approach Extractions

Our first question is always whether a tooth can be saved. Dr. David Peterson trained as a conservative dentist at Loma Linda University, and we look at every option (root canal, crown, deep filling, periodontal therapy) before recommending an extraction. When a tooth genuinely needs to come out, our job is to make the process quick, comfortable, and well-explained.

Dr. Peterson has been in private practice for 21 years and has performed thousands of extractions, both simple and surgical. He was named a Top Dentist in Chattanooga by BusinessRate in 2025.

Types of Extractions We Perform

Simple Extractions

A simple extraction is for a tooth fully visible above the gum, with roots that aren't tangled around any nerves or sinuses. Local anesthesia is enough. The tooth is loosened with an instrument called an elevator, then removed with forceps. Most simple extractions take 15 to 30 minutes.

Surgical Extractions

A surgical extraction is needed for a tooth broken at the gum line, an impacted tooth still under the gum, or a tooth with curved roots that need to be removed in pieces. The procedure includes a small incision in the gum and, sometimes, a small amount of bone removal. Stronger anesthesia options are usually appropriate.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the most common surgical extraction we perform. Limited space at the back of the jaw means most wisdom teeth come in at an angle, push against the second molars, or stay impacted under the gum. Removing them prevents infections, cysts, and recurring pain. We can remove all four wisdom teeth in a single visit, with sedation, if you'd rather get it done in one trip.

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What Happens During the Procedure

Check-in and review of medical history.
Imaging if not already on file.
Numbing or sedation. If you've chosen oral sedation, you'll take the prescription about an hour before the appointment.
The extraction itself. The shortest part of the visit for a simple extraction.
Initial healing setup. Sterile gauze, bite-down instructions, aftercare review.
Aftercare instructions and follow-up scheduling if the case warrants one.

Sedation Options for Anxious Patients

Oral sedation is a prescription medication taken about an hour before your appointment. You stay awake and responsive but feel deeply relaxed. Most patients describe the experience as drowsy and detached, with little memory of the procedure afterward. You'll need someone to drive you home.

Recovery and Aftercare

First 24 hours: Blood clot forms in the socket. No rinsing hard, no smoking, no straws.
Days 2 to 3: Discomfort and swelling typically peak. Over-the-counter ibuprofen handles most of the pain for simple cases.
Days 4 to 7: Soft tissue closes over the socket. Most patients are back to normal eating by the end of the week.
Weeks 2 to 4: The socket continues to fill in. Resume normal activity.
Months 1 to 3: Bone fills in. If you're planning a dental implant, this is when implant placement is usually scheduled.

After the Extraction: Replacing the Tooth

Dental implants: Best long-term option for most patients.
Bridges: A fixed appliance anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Partial dentures: Removable, lower upfront cost, reasonable for replacing several teeth at once.

Insurance, Payment, and New Patient Specials

We are in-network with most major PPO insurance plans. For patients without insurance: $125 comprehensive new patient exam with X-rays, or $199 exam with X-rays and a healthy mouth cleaning (when no periodontal disease is present). CareCredit is available.

About Dr. David Peterson

Dr. Peterson earned his DDS at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Over 21 years in private practice, he has treated approximately 25,000 patients and completed thousands of extractions. He commits to 25 hours of continuing education each year, has accumulated over 800 CE hours beyond dental school, and was named a Top Dentist in Chattanooga by BusinessRate in 2025. He has served on dental missions with HELPS International in Guatemala and volunteers locally with AMEN clinics and Life Hope Centers. The practice is privately owned and not part of a corporate dental chain.

Our Chattanooga Dental Services Include:

Questions Chattanooga Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

How soon can I get an emergency appointment in Chattanooga?

Same day if you call before noon. We hold open chair time each day for emergency extractions. Call (423) 206-9660 and we will tell you when to come in.

Where do I park at the Jenkins Rd office?

Parking is in the lot directly in front of the building. The office is on the ground floor.

Do you take my insurance?

We are in-network with most major PPO insurance plans. Call before your appointment with your insurance information and we will verify your benefits before you sit in the chair.

Schedule Your Extraction Consultation

If you live anywhere in greater Chattanooga and you've been putting off a tooth that needs to come out, the next step is a consultation. Call our Chattanooga office at (423) 206-9660 to book.