Tooth Extraction for East Ridge, TN

Our Jenkins Rd office is about 12 minutes from East Ridge, with same-day extractions and sedation available.

East Ridge Patients: The Chattanooga Office Is About 12 Minutes Away

East Ridge sits just south of the Chattanooga city line, with Ringgold Road as its main east-west corridor and the Georgia state line marking its southern edge. Our Chattanooga office is at 3328 Jenkins Rd Ste 100, about 12 minutes north via Brainerd Road. It is the closer of our two offices for any patient living in East Ridge.

We also have an Ooltewah office at 9325 Apison Pike #119, but that's about 15 to 20 minutes east via I-75. For most East Ridge patients, the Jenkins Rd office is the more practical choice.

Drive Times from Around East Ridge

From the Ringgold Road / Camp Jordan area: About 12 to 15 minutes to the Jenkins Rd office via Brainerd Rd north.
From the south end of East Ridge near the Georgia line: About 15 to 18 minutes to Jenkins Rd via I-75 north or Brainerd Rd.
From the I-24 / East Ridge exit: Take I-24 east, then I-75 north to Shallowford Rd; about 12 minutes.

Drive times don't account for traffic, especially during morning and evening commutes through the I-75 / I-24 split.

Chattanooga office: (423) 206-9660

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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 that's fully visible above the gum, with roots that aren't tangled around any nerves or sinuses. Local anesthesia (numbing the area) is enough. The tooth is loosened with an instrument called an elevator, then removed with forceps. Most simple extractions take 15 to 30 minutes from numbing to standing back up.

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 either 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. We can remove all four 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. We confirm your medical history, your medications, and any updates since your last visit.
Imaging if not already on file. A digital X-ray gives us a clear picture of the root shape and the bone surrounding the tooth.
Numbing or sedation. Local anesthesia for every extraction. 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. For surgical cases you may feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain.
Initial healing setup. We pack the socket with sterile gauze and walk you through the next 24 hours of aftercare.
Aftercare review. Written instructions, a phone number to call if anything seems off, and a follow-up appointment if the case warrants one.

Sedation Options for Anxious Patients

Dental anxiety is real and being told to relax doesn't help. We offer oral sedation: a prescription medication taken about an hour before the 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: A blood clot forms in the socket. Don't rinse hard, don't smoke, don't drink through a straw.
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 to replace the tooth with a dental implant, this is when implant placement is usually scheduled.

After the Extraction: Replacing the Tooth

Even if the extracted tooth doesn't show when you smile, leaving the gap usually causes problems later. Teeth shift, the bite changes, and chewing on the other side of the mouth puts uneven stress on those teeth. We talk through replacement options at the consult so you can decide before the extraction.

Dental implants: A titanium post in the jawbone, capped with a custom crown. 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 East Ridge Dental Services Include:

Questions East Ridge Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

Is the drive worth it from East Ridge?

It's about 12 minutes from central East Ridge to the Jenkins Rd office, less than the wait some patients experience at corporate dental practices closer to home. Most patients tell us afterward that the drive was the smallest part of the day.

Can I get an emergency extraction same day?

Yes. We hold open chair time each day for emergency extractions and same-day appointments. Call (423) 206-9660 in the morning and we will almost always get you in that day.

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 in East Ridge 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.