Frank Trundle, D.D.S. in Chattanooga: Oral Surgeon Specializing in Complex Extractions and Implant Placement

Frank Trundle, D.D.S. is a solo oral surgery practice in Chattanooga offering tooth extractions, dental implants, wisdom tooth surgery, and bone grafting to patients referred by general dentists and specialists across the region. The practice operates at a surgical-office scale, performing both routine and advanced procedures in-house under multiple sedation options.

What Frank Trundle actually is

An oral surgeon is a dentist with additional surgical training who handles procedures general dentists refer when extraction complexity or patient medical history requires a specialist. Trundle's scope covers wisdom teeth removal, impacted tooth extraction, implant placement and bone augmentation, and dentoalveolar surgery. His practice accepts both referral patients and direct self-referrals from other parts of Tennessee and Georgia.

Procedures and sedation options

Extractions range from straightforward removals to impacted teeth requiring surgical exposure and bone removal. Simple extractions typically cost between $150 and $400 depending on tooth position and complexity; surgical extractions (impacted or severely angled) run $300 to $800 per tooth. Implant placement, when bone volume is adequate, ranges from $1,200 to $1,800 per implant body; bone grafting, required when the jaw ridge has resorbed, adds $400 to $1,200 depending on graft source and volume. Verify current pricing directly, as surgical material costs shift seasonally.

Sedation choices include local anesthesia only, nitrous oxide with local anesthesia, oral sedation, and IV sedation. IV sedation is the most common for complex cases and typically adds $300 to $600 to the procedure cost. Patients with anxiety or medical comorbidities benefit from stronger sedation; younger, low-risk patients undergoing simple extractions often proceed with local anesthesia alone, keeping total cost lower.

How Trundle compares to other Chattanooga oral surgeons

Chattanooga has multiple oral surgeons. Trundle operates as an independent solo practitioner, meaning no corporate affiliation or chain overhead; this structure sometimes allows more scheduling flexibility and direct patient relationships than multi-location groups. Competing practices in Chattanooga, such as those within larger dental management organizations or hospital-affiliated surgical centers, may offer faster appointment availability during peak referral seasons but often at higher facility fees. Trundle suits patients whose dentist referrals specify him by name, patients seeking a single-surgeon continuity of care for staged implant work, and those with complex histories where an independent practitioner's detailed review feels important. Patients with urgent same-day extraction needs or those living outside Chattanooga proper may prefer a larger, multi-shift surgical center with extended hours. Insurance coverage for extractions and implants is typically the same across surgeons in the region; the distinction is referral fit, sedation preference, and perceived expertise in specific procedures like bone grafting.

Who Trundle suits and does not suit

Trundle is appropriate for patients with impacted wisdom teeth, severely damaged teeth requiring surgical removal, and those planning bone-grafting-dependent implants. He accepts referrals from general dentists and specialty practices, and self-referrals are welcome if a patient has identified him beforehand. Patients seeking cosmetic implant work (front teeth, smile-visible placement) benefit from Trundle's implant training and bone-augmentation skill. Patients without a referring dentist or those needing a same-day emergency extraction may find a hospital-based oral surgical center more practical. Patients with complex medical histories (anticoagulation, immunosuppression, recent chemotherapy) will still be evaluated, but the practice follows standard surgical protocols; a hospital setting may offer additional monitoring if comorbidities are severe.

What the first visit involves

A referral from a dentist typically arrives with radiographs and a note describing the tooth, reason for extraction, and any patient medical concerns. Trundle's first appointment includes a clinical examination, review of imaging, and discussion of sedation and cost. If bone grafting is anticipated, additional imaging (often a CBCT, or cone-beam CT scan) may be ordered to measure ridge volume and plan augmentation. For implant cases, this visit also establishes the timeline: extraction, a healing period of 4 to 6 months for bone integration, and then implant placement at a second appointment. Payment and insurance verification occur at scheduling or during the first visit. Most practices bill the patient's insurance and collect the patient's out-of-pocket responsibility at the time of service.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Trundle's office is located in Chattanooga proper, accessible to patients from the greater Tri-State region. Parking is available on-site or nearby street parking, typical for small surgical practices. Hours vary by season and referral load; verify current hours and appointment availability by calling the office directly, as surgical schedules shift more often than general dental practices. Patients should plan for a procedure appointment of 30 to 90 minutes depending on complexity, plus 30 to 60 minutes for pre-operative intake if IV sedation is used. Post-operative restrictions typically include no driving on the day of IV sedation (arrange transportation beforehand) and dietary modification for 5 to 7 days.

Frank Trundle's solo-practitioner status and deep expertise in surgical extraction and implant placement make him a reliable referral choice for Chattanooga dentists managing complex cases and for patients whose treatment plan demands bone grafting or advanced implant positioning.