Tooth Extraction for Cleveland, TN

We don't have a Cleveland office. Our closest location is in Ooltewah, about 25 minutes south via I-75.

Cleveland Patients: Our Closest Office Is About 25 Minutes South in Ooltewah

If you live in Cleveland and you're searching for a tooth extraction, the closest Peterson Family Dentistry office is in Ooltewah at 9325 Apison Pike #119. From Cleveland, that's about 17 miles south on I-75, roughly a 25-minute drive in normal traffic. Our Chattanooga office on Jenkins Rd is about 35 to 40 minutes away, so for almost any Cleveland patient, Ooltewah is the closer choice.

Cleveland has plenty of dentists. The question worth asking is whether what we offer (sedation for anxious patients, same-day appointments for emergencies, in-network coverage with most major PPOs, and 21 years of experience under one roof) is worth the drive. We've answered yes for many Cleveland patients; the next section explains why.

Drive Times from Around Cleveland

From the Lee University area: About 25 to 30 minutes to the Ooltewah office via I-75 south. Take Exit 11 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd), then Apison Pike east.
From the Bradley Square Mall area: About 25 to 30 minutes to the Ooltewah office via I-75 south to Exit 11.
From the Paul Huff Parkway corridor: About 25 minutes to the Ooltewah office via I-75 south.
From the south side of Cleveland: About 20 to 25 minutes to the Ooltewah office via I-75 south.

Drive times don't account for traffic, especially during morning and evening commutes through the I-75 corridor.

Ooltewah office: (423) 396-4222

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Why Cleveland Patients Drive to Us

Most Cleveland patients who book with us came after another local provider couldn't offer something they needed. The most common reasons:

Oral sedation: Many smaller dental offices don't offer sedation for routine extractions. We do. If dental anxiety has kept you from booking, sedation is often what changes that.
Same-day emergency appointments: We hold open chair time each day for emergency extractions. If you call us before noon, we'll usually see you that afternoon.
Wisdom teeth in a single visit: We can remove all four wisdom teeth at one appointment, with sedation, so you don't have to make multiple trips down I-75.
In-network with most major PPOs: Out-of-pocket cost is often lower than at out-of-network providers closer to home.

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

When a tooth can't be saved, picking the right provider matters. 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 extraction is the right call, we focus on speed, comfort, and clear communication.

Dr. Peterson has been in private practice for 21 years, has performed thousands of extractions, and 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, and the case where Cleveland patients most often make the drive: most local providers split wisdom tooth removals across multiple visits, while we can remove all four in a single appointment with sedation.

Yes! Schedule My Appointment

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, which is especially important for Cleveland patients given the I-75 drive.

Recovery and Aftercare (Plus Tips for the Drive Home)

If you've chosen oral sedation, you must have a driver. Plan for the driver to stay with you at the office during the appointment so we can give them post-procedure instructions directly. The drive back up I-75 to Cleveland is the kind of route where you want to be fully alert.

First 24 hours: Blood clot forms in the socket. No rinsing hard, no smoking, no straws. The drive home is a good time to keep gauze pressure on the site.
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.
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

Replacement options are the same regardless of where you live. We talk through them at the consult so you can decide before the extraction.

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 and has accumulated over 800 CE hours beyond dental school. 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 Cleveland Dental Services Include:

Questions Cleveland Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

Is the drive worth it from Cleveland?

Honestly: it depends on what you need. If a closer dentist can offer the same procedure, the same insurance acceptance, the same comfort options, and a same-day appointment, you don't need to drive 25 minutes. If they can't, the drive is usually worth it. Most Cleveland patients who come to us came specifically because their local provider couldn't accommodate sedation, same-day scheduling, or in-network coverage with their plan.

What if I have a complication after I get home?

Call us. We give you a direct number to reach us with concerns. Most post-extraction complications (a small amount of bleeding, a clot that came loose, swelling that won't go down) can be managed with phone instructions or a brief telehealth check before you make the drive back.

How soon can I get an emergency appointment from Cleveland?

Same day if you call before noon. Call (423) 396-4222 and we will tell you when to leave Cleveland to be at the office on time.

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 in Cleveland and you've been putting off a tooth that needs to come out, the next step is a consultation. Call our Ooltewah office at (423) 396-4222 to book.