Jack T. Bauguss, DDS, MS in Chattanooga: Oral Surgery with Surgical Implant Expertise
Jack T. Bauguss, DDS, MS is an oral surgeon based in Chattanooga who focuses on implant placement, wisdom tooth extraction, and complex surgical dentistry. His credentials include a dental degree, a master's in oral surgery, and board certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABOMS). He accepts most dental insurance plans and offers in-office sedation for patients who need anxiety management during procedures. His practice serves both referred patients from general dentists and self-referred individuals throughout the Chattanooga area.
What the practice actually is
Bauguss operates as a private oral surgery practice in Chattanooga, distinct from hospital-based oral surgery departments. Unlike general dentists who may extract routine teeth or place basic restorations, an oral surgeon with a master's degree and board certification handles the most complex extractions, places dental implants from diagnosis through final restoration coordination, and manages trauma and pathological conditions that require surgical intervention. The MS credential (Master of Science) signals additional training beyond the standard dental degree, typically a 4-6 year residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. His ABOMS certification means he passed a written and oral examination demonstrating competency across the full scope of the specialty.
Procedures offered and implant planning
The core services at this practice include:
Tooth extractions: simple, surgical, and impacted (including wisdom teeth). Most general dentists perform routine extractions; an oral surgeon handles teeth with severe bone loss, extensive root anatomy, or cases where bone removal is necessary.
Dental implants: from initial consultation and bone imaging (CBCT or 3D cone-beam CT scans) through surgical placement. Implant placement is the primary reason most patients are referred to oral surgeons by their general dentist. The general dentist then typically restores the implant with a crown or bridge after osseointegration (the 3-6 month healing period).
Bone grafting: when a patient lacks sufficient bone height or width for an implant. Common materials include allograft (processed donor bone), xenograft (animal-derived), or autograft (patient's own bone taken from another site). This adds 4-9 months to the implant timeline but is often the only path to implant eligibility.
Sinus lifts: a specialized graft procedure in the upper jaw to gain bone height above the sinus cavity.
Surgical tooth movement (if applicable) and trauma repair.
Pricing and cost structure
Consultation and CBCT imaging: verification of current fee structure is recommended, as diagnostic fees adjust. A CBCT scan, essential for implant planning, typically ranges $150-$300 in Chattanooga oral surgery practices.
Single implant placement: $1,200-$2,000 (surgical placement only; the crown is placed by the restoring dentist).
Wisdom tooth extraction: $200-$400 per tooth, depending on impaction level.
Bone graft procedures: $500-$1,500 depending on volume and material type.
Most dental insurance covers a portion of surgical extractions and implant placement (often 50%), though implant coverage varies widely. Bauguss's office will verify benefits and provide an estimate before treatment.
How this practice compares to other Chattanooga oral surgeons
Chattanooga has multiple oral surgeons; the key differences lie in credentials, specialization, and referral patterns.
Bauguss holds board certification (ABOMS), which is the gold standard and not held by all oral surgeons. Board-certified surgeons have completed an additional written and oral examination and must maintain continuing education. Choose a board-certified surgeon if you have complex anatomy, bone loss requiring grafting, or a failed prior implant.
Many dentists in Chattanooga can place straightforward implants without referral to an oral surgeon. If your case is routine (good bone, no prior extractions, single tooth), your general dentist may offer implant placement at a comparable or lower total cost (since you avoid a separate surgical fee). However, if a CBCT scan reveals inadequate bone or your tooth has roots wrapped around the sinus or nerve, referral to an oral surgeon becomes necessary.
Hospital-based oral surgery (available at Erlanger and other Chattanooga health systems) is reserved for cases requiring general anesthesia in an OR setting, patients with severe medical comorbidities, or extensive jaw reconstruction. For office-based implant surgery under local anesthesia with sedation, a private practice oral surgeon like Bauguss is the standard path.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
Best suited for:
Patients with missing teeth referred by their dentist for implant assessment, especially those with bone loss.
People with impacted wisdom teeth that general dentists cannot safely extract.
Patients with dental anxiety who benefit from in-office IV sedation or nitrous oxide during surgery.
Anyone whose dentist has identified complex surgical anatomy on imaging.
Patients seeking comprehensive implant planning, including bone graft assessment and timeline discussion.
Not the right fit for:
Routine cavity fillings, cleanings, or basic checkups (see your general dentist).
Cosmetic dentistry (bonding, whitening, or veneers) without a surgical component.
Patients without a referral who want only a second opinion on non-surgical treatment. (Some oral surgeons accept self-referred patients; verify with the office.)
Patients requiring general anesthesia in a hospital OR (ask your surgeon whether your case qualifies for office IV sedation or if hospital OR care is necessary).
What the first visit involves
New patients typically arrive with a referral from their general dentist or prior imaging (X-ray or CBCT). The surgeon will take a focused history on medical conditions, medications (especially blood thinners), and past anesthesia experiences.
Clinical exam: the surgeon evaluates the tooth or site, probes for bone levels, and checks for nerve proximity.
Imaging review: if recent imaging exists, it may be reviewed on-site. If not, a CBCT will be ordered. CBCT is the standard for implant planning because it shows bone height, width, and proximity to vital structures (the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw, the sinus above the upper back teeth).
Diagnosis and treatment plan: the surgeon explains whether extraction, implant placement, or bone graft is necessary; reviews healing timelines; and discusses sedation options.
Cost estimate: the office provides a written estimate of surgical fees and will contact your insurance to determine coverage.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Verify office hours and parking details directly with the practice, as these are subject to change seasonally or for holidays. Most private oral surgery practices in Chattanooga operate Monday through Thursday, with Wednesday sometimes reserved for more complex cases. Parking is typically available on-site or in a shared lot; confirm street parking requirements if the office is in an older downtown building.
Post-operative recovery: plan 3-5 days off work for extraction and implant cases. Swelling peaks on day 2-3. Most patients return to light activity after one week.
The board certification and implant-focused training make Bauguss a natural referral point for Chattanooga dentists managing complex surgical cases, and his in-office sedation capabilities broaden access for patients who cannot tolerate surgery fully awake.
