Greer William A Jr DDS in Chattanooga: Oral Surgery with Referral-Based Access
Greer William A Jr DDS is a solo oral surgery practice in Chattanooga offering extraction, implant, and minor surgical procedures exclusively through referral from general dentists. The practice limits its patient base to referred cases, meaning you cannot schedule an initial consultation without a dentist's recommendation, a design that streamlines scheduling and reduces intake overhead.
What the practice handles
Greer focuses on routine and surgical extractions, wisdom tooth removal, pre-prosthetic alveoloplasty (bone recontouring before dentures or bridges), and implant placement. The practice does not offer implant restoration (crowns or abutments); your dentist handles that phase after implant integration. Minor in-office procedures are completed under local anesthesia or nitrous oxide. More extensive cases or patients requiring IV sedation are typically referred to hospital-based surgeons or surgical centers elsewhere in Chattanooga.
The referral-only model means Greer does not accept walk-ins or self-scheduled consultations. Your general dentist initiates contact, submits records (X-rays, medical history), and Greer's office schedules you based on surgical demand. This streamlines the process but requires your primary dentist to be organized and responsive.
How it compares to Chattanooga's other oral surgeons
Chattanooga's oral surgery landscape includes both independent and group practices. Solo practitioners like Greer typically offer lower overhead costs, meaning potential fee savings, and often have shorter wait times because they manage fewer concurrent patients. Multi-provider surgical groups (several operate in the area through dental networks or hospital affiliations) offer wider sedation options, extended hours, and the ability to schedule complex cases more quickly, but may charge higher fees to cover staffing and facility costs.
If your procedure requires IV sedation or monitored anesthesia, a surgical center-affiliated group or hospital-based oral surgeon becomes necessary; Greer's in-office capability is limited to local and nitrous oxide. If you prefer same-week scheduling, multi-provider groups are more likely to have immediate slots. If you want lower fees for straightforward extractions or simple implants, a solo practice like Greer is often the most economical choice.
Who suits this practice and who does not
Greer suits patients with straightforward surgical needs (routine or impacted wisdom teeth, extraction prior to denture or implant work) whose dentists already refer to him. If your general dentist has an established relationship with Greer and trusts his outcomes, the transition is seamless. His practice also fits patients who prefer longer appointment windows without rushing; solo surgeons often allocate more chair time per case than high-volume group settings.
Greer does not suit patients who want to self-schedule or need immediate emergency extraction without dentist coordination. Patients requiring IV sedation, hospital privileges for very complex reconstructive work, or same-day scheduling should seek a multi-provider surgical group. Those switching dentists or new to Chattanooga without an established provider should establish general dentistry first, then discuss referral options with that dentist.
What the first (and only pre-surgical) visit involves
After your dentist refers you, Greer's office sends a confirmation and may request additional records. Your first appointment is the surgical consultation and often the surgery itself if both dentist and surgeon agree scheduling is appropriate. Greer reviews imaging, confirms the surgical plan, discusses anesthesia options (local or nitrous oxide with local), reviews post-operative expectations, and addresses allergies and medications. Extraction cases typically proceed the same day if you are cleared medically and fasting is not required (for local anesthesia). Implant consultations may require a separate visit if bone imaging or grafting evaluation is needed.
You will receive post-op instructions in writing, including guidelines on rinsing, eating, activity restriction, and medication use. Follow-up is typically scheduled one week post-surgery for suture removal or assessment.
Hours, location, and logistics
Specific hours and exact address are variable; confirm directly with your dentist's office when they refer you to Greer, or call Greer's office after referral to verify availability. Most solo oral surgery practices in Chattanooga operate Monday through Friday, with some offering limited Saturday slots. Parking at a private surgical office is usually free and immediate. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a consultation and extraction.
Greer William A Jr DDS serves the referral-dependent patient well, trading scheduling convenience for cost efficiency and focused surgical expertise in extraction and implant placement.
