Gardenhire T M Jr DDS in Chattanooga: Oral Surgery with Sedation and Implant Services
Dr. T M Gardenhire Jr operates a solo oral surgery practice in Chattanooga focused on surgical tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and procedures requiring IV sedation or general anesthesia. The practice serves patients who need complex extractions, implant restoration, and other surgical interventions that fall beyond the scope of general dentistry, drawing referrals from local dentists and patients seeking surgical care without a hospital setting.
What Gardenhire T M Jr DDS Actually Offers
Gardenhire's practice is structured around oral and maxillofacial surgery, the dental specialty that handles surgical removal of teeth (simple and complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth), dental implant placement and bone grafting, and other soft-tissue and bone procedures. The practice operates as a private office, meaning patients come directly to Gardenhire's suite rather than to a hospital operating room for most procedures. This reduces cost and scheduling friction compared to hospital-based surgery while maintaining access to IV sedation and anesthesia support.
The practice is not a general dentistry office; it does not perform routine cleanings, fillings, or orthodontic work. Patients arrive with referrals from their general dentist or arrive directly when they know they need extraction or implant services. Chattanooga's oral surgeon landscape includes practices like those in the UT College of Dentistry clinic and private specialists, making Gardenhire one option among several for surgical needs.
Services and Pricing
The core services are tooth extraction (simple and surgical), wisdom tooth removal (impacted and non-impacted), implant placement, bone grafting, and soft-tissue grafting. Sedation options include local anesthesia with nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia depending on case complexity and patient preference.
Specific fee ranges for oral surgery vary by complexity. Simple extractions typically run 200 to 400 dollars per tooth; surgical extractions (impacted teeth, retained roots) range from 400 to 800 dollars or higher depending on bone removal and root anatomy. Implant placement alone (without the implant crown or abutment) generally costs 1200 to 2500 dollars, though total implant restoration, including the prosthetic crown placed by the patient's general dentist, runs into the 3000 to 6000 dollar range per tooth. Bone grafts add 300 to 1500 dollars depending on graft material and volume. Ask Gardenhire's office directly to confirm current fees and whether your insurance allows out-of-network payment.
IV sedation carries an additional fee, typically 300 to 800 dollars depending on duration and the anesthesia provider involved. Many patients find IV sedation worth the cost when facing multiple extractions or anxiety around surgery.
How It Compares to Other Chattanooga Oral Surgeons
Chattanooga residents needing oral surgery can choose among private practitioners like Gardenhire, the UT College of Dentistry oral surgery clinic (which offers lower fees on a sliding scale but longer wait times and student involvement), and hospital-affiliated surgeons at facilities like Erlanger or CHI Memorial. Private practices such as Gardenhire typically offer faster scheduling and consistent surgeon continuity; hospital settings provide immediate access to advanced imaging and medical support if complications arise.
Gardenhire's solo practice means you see the same surgeon throughout treatment, reducing coordination overhead. If you are uninsured or underinsured, the UT clinic may be more affordable. If you require general anesthesia or have complex medical needs, a hospital-affiliated practice may be safer and less stressful. If you have dental insurance that covers oral surgery in a private office setting and want efficient, no-frills scheduling, Gardenhire is a standard choice.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Gardenhire's practice suits patients with a dental referral, patients comfortable with office-based surgery under IV sedation, and patients with dental insurance that covers oral surgery. It suits people needing wisdom teeth removed, single or multiple extractions before implant work, or other straightforward surgical needs.
It does not suit patients who require full hospital operating room support, patients with severe medical comorbidities requiring immediate access to critical care, or patients seeking implant restoration in one place (Gardenhire places the implant; a general dentist places the crown). It is not a pediatric practice; adults and older teens are the primary population.
What the First Visit Involves
Patients arrive with a referral or a consultation request. The first appointment typically includes a clinical exam, review of any imaging (CT scans or X-rays from the referring dentist), discussion of sedation options, and estimate review. Gardenhire will review the procedure, the risks, recovery time (typically 5 to 7 days of healing for extractions, 2 to 6 months of osseointegration for implants), and post-operative instructions. Expect to provide medical history, current medications, and insurance information.
Most offices request 48 to 72 hours notice for IV sedation and will ask for a designated driver. The procedure itself is typically completed in one visit; implant success and restoration follow-up occur months later.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Verification note: Confirm current hours directly with the office by phone, as surgical practices often adjust scheduling for operating days and consultation blocks. Typical hours for oral surgery practices in Chattanooga run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some surgeons reserve certain days for procedures and others for consultations. Parking at a private office is usually on-site or readily available.
Plan 45 minutes to 2 hours for your first visit. If you receive IV sedation, arrange transportation and plan to rest the remainder of the day.
Gardenhire's practice provides direct surgical access without the appointment delays and coordination overhead of larger surgical centers, making it a pragmatic choice for Chattanooga residents with straightforward extractions or implant placement needs.
