Tooth Extraction in Collegedale, TN

Our Apison Pike office is in the 37363 ZIP, near Southern Adventist University and McKee Foods.

Our Collegedale Office: Apison Pike at the 37363 ZIP

Peterson Family Dentistry's Apison Pike office is at 9325 Apison Pike #119, in the 37363 Collegedale ZIP code. Our address shows up under "Ooltewah" in some directories and under "Collegedale" in others, because the office sits right at the boundary between the two communities. For practical purposes: if you live in Collegedale, this is your local dental office.

The office is a short drive from the Southern Adventist University campus, the McKee Foods headquarters, and most of the residential streets that run east from Apison Pike toward the SAU campus zone.

Driving Directions from Around Collegedale

From the SAU campus: Head west on University Drive, turn onto Apison Pike north. About 5 minutes.
From McKee Foods (Little Debbie): Head south on King Street, turn onto Apison Pike. About 5 to 7 minutes.
From the Bauxite Pond Rd / residential corridor: Head west, turn onto Apison Pike. About 5 to 8 minutes.
From the I-75 interchange at Ooltewah-Ringgold (Exit 11): Take Apison Pike east toward Collegedale. About 5 minutes.
Office: (423) 396-4222

Directions

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For Southern Adventist University Students and Faculty

If you're an SAU student and you've been putting off a tooth that needs to come out because you don't have a regular dentist in town, we can take you in. We schedule appointments around class schedules whenever possible, accept most major dental insurance (including most plans students get through their parents), and offer a $125 new patient exam with X-rays for students without coverage.

Faculty and staff: same options. The office is close enough that an extraction appointment can fit into a lunch break for simple cases, and we hold open chair time each day for same-day visits.

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

Most patients arrive at our office having already decided extraction is likely. The pain has been there too long, the wisdom tooth is pressing on the second molar, the broken tooth keeps catching on the cheek. Even so, our first question is always whether the tooth can be saved. Dr. David Peterson trained as a conservative dentist at Loma Linda University, and we look at every option before recommending an extraction.

When extraction is the right call, we focus on three things: making it as quick as possible, making it as comfortable as possible (including with sedation if you want it), and making sure you understand what's going to happen and what to expect afterward. 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 they tend to flare up at the worst times: midterms, finals, the night before a job interview. 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.

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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, which means students should plan to have a friend or family member available for the trip back to campus or 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, including exercise.
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

If the extracted tooth doesn't show when you smile, leaving the gap can still cause problems later. Teeth shift, the bite changes, and chewing on the other side puts uneven stress on those teeth.

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, a school SAU students may know by reputation. 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 Collegedale Dental Services Include:

Questions Collegedale Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

How is the Collegedale page different from the Ooltewah page?

Same office, same providers, same procedures. The Collegedale page focuses on the SAU and McKee Foods community along the eastern Apison Pike corridor. The Ooltewah page focuses on the Cambridge Square commercial area and patients coming from I-75 Exit 11. We chose to write two pages because Collegedale and Ooltewah patients tend to ask different questions, but both come to the same office at 9325 Apison Pike.

Can I get an appointment between classes?

Simple extractions can fit into a 60- to 90-minute window. Surgical extractions need more time, especially if you're choosing sedation. Call (423) 396-4222 with your class schedule and we'll find a time that works.

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