Tooth Extraction for Harrison, TN | Peterson Family Dentistry

We don't have a Harrison office. Here's how to choose between our two locations and what to expect.

Harrison Patients: Which Peterson Family Dentistry Office Is Closer

If you live in Harrison, you have two Peterson Family Dentistry offices to choose from, and they're roughly equidistant. The Ooltewah office at 9325 Apison Pike #119 is the closer choice for most Harrison residents, especially those along Highway 58 and the Snow Hill Road corridor. The Chattanooga office at 3328 Jenkins Rd Ste 100 may be closer if you live in the southern parts of Harrison near Highway 153.

We treat the same way at both locations. Same procedures, same insurance acceptance, same equipment, same approach to sedation and recovery. The only thing that changes is which exit you take and how long you drive.

Drive Times from Around Harrison

From central Harrison along Highway 58: About 15 to 20 minutes to the Ooltewah office via Snow Hill Road and Apison Pike. About 20 minutes to the Chattanooga office via Highway 58 south to Highway 153.
From the Booker T. Washington State Park area: About 15 minutes to the Ooltewah office via Snow Hill Road. The Chattanooga office is 20 to 25 minutes via Highway 58.
From the southern edge of Harrison near Highway 153: About 15 minutes to the Chattanooga office via Highway 153 south. The Ooltewah office is 20 to 25 minutes east via Snow Hill Road.

Drive times are estimates and don't account for traffic. If you're not sure which office to choose, call either number and we'll help you decide based on your address.

Ooltewah office: (423) 396-4222
Chattanooga office: (423) 206-9660

Directions

Google Business Profile Listing

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

If you're researching tooth extraction, you probably already know the answer is leaning toward yes: a tooth that won't stop hurting, a wisdom tooth coming in sideways, a baby tooth that won't loosen. 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 in California, and we look at every option (root canal, crown, deep filling, periodontal therapy) before we recommend pulling a tooth.

When extraction is the right call, our job is to make it 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 that's fully visible above the gum, with roots that aren't tangled around any nerves or sinuses. Local anesthesia (numbing) is enough. Dr. Peterson loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, then removes it 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, and oral sedation is a common choice for surgical cases.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the most common surgical extraction we do. 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 flares up at the worst times. We can usually remove all four in a single visit, with sedation, if you'd rather get it done in one trip.

Yes! Schedule My Appointment

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 common 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 it as drowsy and detached, with little memory of the procedure afterward. You'll need someone to drive you home.

If the drive from Harrison is part of why you've been putting off an extraction, oral sedation can make the appointment itself feel like the smallest part of the day. The drive is the inconvenience; the procedure becomes routine.

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. Anything that creates suction can dislodge the clot and cause dry socket.
Days 2 to 3: Discomfort and swelling typically peak. Over-the-counter ibuprofen handles most of the pain for simple cases; we'll prescribe something stronger if needed for surgical 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 tooth was a back molar that doesn't show when you smile, you might be tempted to leave the gap. 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 replacement options at the consultation so you can make the decision before the extraction, not after.

Dental implants: A titanium post in the jawbone, capped with a custom crown. Looks and functions like a natural tooth, protects the bone over time. Best long-term option for most patients.
Bridges: A fixed appliance that anchors to the teeth on either side of the gap. A good option when those neighboring teeth would benefit from crowns anyway.
Partial dentures: Removable, lower upfront cost, reasonable for replacing several teeth at once. Less stable than implants or bridges.

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 for patients who want to spread larger costs over time.

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.

Insurance, Payment, and New Patient Specials

About Dr. David Peterson

Our Harrison Dental Services Include:

Questions Harrison Patients Ask About Tooth Extractions

Which office should I go to from Harrison?

For most Harrison residents, the Ooltewah office at 9325 Apison Pike is the closer choice. Patients in the southern parts of Harrison near Highway 153 may find the Chattanooga office on Jenkins Rd faster. Either office can handle any extraction case, so the choice is mostly about drive time. Call us with your address and we will help you decide.

Will I need a follow-up after the extraction?

For most simple extractions, no follow-up is needed if healing is going well. For surgical extractions, especially wisdom teeth, we usually schedule a brief follow-up at one to two weeks to confirm the area is healing as expected. We'll tell you at the time of the procedure whether a follow-up is needed.

How soon can I get an emergency appointment from Harrison?

Both offices hold open chair time each day for emergency extractions and same-day appointments. Call (423) 396-4222 (Ooltewah) or (423) 206-9660 (Chattanooga) in the morning and we will almost always get you in that day. If we cannot, we will tell you so on the call.

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 are dealing with a painful tooth and you live in or around Harrison, the next step is a consultation. We will take any imaging we need, walk you through your options, and give you a clear treatment plan with pricing. Call our Ooltewah office at (423) 396-4222 or our Chattanooga office at (423) 206-9660 to book.