Tooth Extraction in East Brainerd, TN

Our Jenkins Rd office sits right in East Brainerd, near Hamilton Place mall.

Our East Brainerd Office: Jenkins Rd, Near Hamilton Place

Peterson Family Dentistry's Chattanooga office at 3328 Jenkins Rd Ste 100 is located in the East Brainerd neighborhood, in the 37421 ZIP code. The office is a few blocks from Hamilton Place mall and easy to reach from the East Brainerd Rd corridor, the Standifer Gap area, and the Shallowford Rd interchange off I-75.

If you live in East Brainerd, this is the closer of our two offices. Most East Brainerd residents are within 10 minutes of our front door. Patients in the eastern parts of the neighborhood near East Brainerd Rd are usually 5 minutes or less from us.

Driving Directions from Around East Brainerd

From Hamilton Place mall: Head south on Hamilton Place Blvd, turn onto Shallowford Rd, then onto Jenkins Rd. About 5 minutes.
From the East Brainerd Rd commercial strip: Take East Brainerd Rd west, turn onto Jenkins Rd. Less than 5 minutes.
From the Standifer Gap area: Take Standifer Gap Rd to Jenkins Rd. About 7 to 10 minutes.
From the Shallowford Rd / I-75 interchange (Exit 5): Take Shallowford Rd south, turn onto Jenkins Rd. About 5 minutes.

Parking is in the lot directly in front of the building.

Chattanooga office (Jenkins Rd): (423) 206-9660

Directions

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

When a tooth can't be saved, expert care makes the difference between a stressful afternoon and a routine appointment. Dr. David Peterson and the team at our Jenkins Rd office handle extractions every week: simple, surgical, and wisdom teeth, with or without sedation.

Our first question is always whether the tooth can be saved. Dr. Peterson trained as a conservative dentist at Loma Linda University in California, and we look at every option before recommending an extraction. When extraction is the right call, we focus on three things: speed, comfort, and clear communication so you know what's happening at every step.

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. 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 the kind of episodic pain that always seems to flare up at the wrong time.

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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 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

If the tooth doesn't show when you smile, you might want to skip replacement. Most patients regret it later: teeth shift, the bite changes, and chewing on the other side puts uneven stress on those teeth. We talk through options at the consult.

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 in California. 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 East Brainerd Dental Services Include:

Questions East Brainerd Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

How is the East Brainerd page different from the Chattanooga page?

Same office, same providers, same procedures. The East Brainerd page focuses on the neighborhood specifically: how to get to the Jenkins Rd office from Hamilton Place, the East Brainerd Rd corridor, or the Standifer Gap area. The Chattanooga page covers the broader greater-Chattanooga area, including Lookout Mountain, North Chattanooga, and downtown.

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.

Can I walk in without an appointment for an emergency extraction?

Calling first is faster, even if it's a few minutes before you arrive. We hold open chair time each day for emergencies. Call (423) 206-9660 and we'll tell you exactly when to come in.

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.