Clark Robert J DDS in Chattanooga: Extraction and Implant Surgery with Sedation Options
Clark Robert J DDS is an oral surgery practice in Chattanooga focused on tooth extraction, implant placement, and other surgical procedures, with in-office sedation available for patients who need it. The practice handles both general referrals and direct-access patients, making it a practical choice for Chattanooga residents seeking local surgical care without leaving the city.
What Clark Robert J DDS Actually Is
An oral surgery practice differs from general dentistry in scope and training. Oral surgeons complete four additional years of surgical residency beyond dental school and handle procedures that general dentists refer out, including complex extractions, wisdom tooth removal, implant placement, and bone grafting. Clark Robert J DDS operates as a surgical center, not a cleaning-and-filling office. The practice accepts both referred patients from general dentists and walk-in new patients seeking a surgeon directly.
Procedures and Sedation Options
The practice performs standard surgical extractions, wisdom tooth removal, implant surgery, and related procedures. Sedation options available include local anesthesia (numbing only) and in-office sedation (nitrous oxide and IV sedation, typically administered by a nurse anesthetist under the surgeon's supervision). IV sedation is standard for complex extractions and implant cases, particularly wisdom tooth surgery involving bone removal or tooth breakage.
Pricing for extractions at oral surgery practices in Chattanooga typically ranges from $250 to $600 per tooth depending on complexity, with impacted wisdom teeth running higher. Implant surgery alone (the surgical placement, excluding the implant body and restoration) ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. These are estimates; confirmation with the office is necessary because costs vary by case complexity, bone quality, and whether bone grafting is needed. Verify current fees before scheduling.
How It Compares to Other Chattanooga Oral Surgeons
Chattanooga has several oral surgical practices. Many general dentists in the area refer to specialists in-office or to nearby surgical centers. The deciding factors between surgeons are typically location, sedation options, implant experience, and insurance participation. If your general dentist has referred you to a specific surgeon, coordination through that referral may streamline your records transfer and initial consultation. If you are shopping independently, confirm that the practice accepts your insurance and ask whether the surgeon places implants in-house (some practices extract teeth but refer implant surgery elsewhere). Experience with complex cases like impacted wisdom teeth, grafting, and bone augmentation varies by surgeon; practices with oral surgery residency training and higher case volume typically handle difficult anatomies more routinely.
Who This Suits and Who It Does Not
Oral surgery at Clark Robert J DDS is appropriate for patients needing extraction, implant surgery, or bone grafting, and for those who want sedation for a surgical procedure. It is not the right place for routine fillings, crowns, or cleaning; those belong with a general dentist. If you have anxiety about dental procedures and sedation is important to you, confirm that IV sedation is available before booking. If you need a simple extraction and local anesthesia alone is acceptable, this practice will handle it, but your general dentist may be able to do the same at lower cost and without referral delay.
What the First Visit Involves
A consultation typically includes a clinical exam, often X-rays (intraoral or CBCT scan depending on the case), and discussion of the procedure, sedation options, anesthesia risks, and post-operative care. If you are already referred from your general dentist, bring those records and imaging. If you are a new patient to the practice, bring insurance information and a current medications list (sedation interacts with certain drugs). The surgeon will explain recovery expectations, time off work, pain management, and when you can resume normal activity. Costs are usually quoted at this visit. Clarify whether the fee includes the surgeon's time only or also facility and anesthesia fees.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Confirm current hours and location with the practice directly; details change by season and scheduling demands. Oral surgery centers typically offer daytime hours and occasional early-morning slots for surgical cases. Ask about parking when you call; most practices in Chattanooga have dedicated or street parking nearby. Plan for someone to drive you home if you receive IV sedation; you cannot drive for the remainder of the day.
Clark Robert J DDS provides surgical care where Chattanooga residents would otherwise travel to Nashville or Atlanta, keeping referrals local and reducing travel burden for extraction and implant cases.
