Nicholas And Nicholas DDS in Chattanooga: Oral Surgery and Implant-Focused Practice

Nicholas And Nicholas DDS is a two-dentist oral surgery practice in Chattanooga that handles tooth extractions, dental implants, and bone grafting. The practice serves patients referred from general dentists across the area as well as those seeking direct implant evaluation.

What It Handles

The practice focuses on surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, impacted canines, and complex retained roots. A second major component is implant planning and placement, including assessment for bone grafting when the jaw lacks sufficient volume for standard implants. The office does not handle major orthognathic (jaw alignment) surgery, but refers those cases to specialists outside Chattanooga when needed. Bone grafting is performed both at extraction sites and in advance of implant placement to build volume in the posterior jaw.

Sedation Options and Referral Pathways

Nicholas And Nicholas offers local anesthesia with nitrous oxide for anxious patients during extractions and implant placement. General anesthesia through a hospital or outpatient surgery center is not provided in-office; patients needing that level of sedation (for example, for multiple impacted wisdom teeth or severe anxiety) are referred to Erlanger Health System or CHI Memorial Hospital facilities. Most straightforward extractions and implant placements are completed under local anesthesia with nitrous, which keeps overhead lower than hospital-based surgery and typically results in lower out-of-pocket costs for patients with dental insurance.

Referral to Nicholas And Nicholas usually originates with a patient's general dentist, who documents the extraction or implant need and sends records forward. Walk-in consultation is possible but scheduling a guided appointment first ensures the required imaging (typically a panoramic radiograph or cone-beam CT) is available before the visit.

Pricing and Insurance

Extraction fees for surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth range from $250 to $400 per tooth, depending on root anatomy and bone density. Implant placement runs $1,500 to $2,200 per implant body, excluding the restoration (crown) placed by the patient's general or restorative dentist. Bone grafting at the time of extraction is typically $300 to $600 per site. Pricing varies with material (allograft vs. autograft) and graft volume.

Most dental insurance plans cover 50 percent of surgical extraction after the annual deductible is met. Implant placement is often listed as orthodontics or major restorative and covered at 50 percent, subject to annual maximum limits (frequently $1,000 to $1,500). Verify your own plan's coverage of bone grafting, which some carriers categorize as surgical and others as implant-related. Confirm current pricing when scheduling because material costs fluctuate.

Comparison to Chattanooga Oral Surgery Alternatives

Chattanooga has one other established oral surgery practice in addition to Nicholas And Nicholas. The primary distinction is referral volume and subspecialty focus. Nicholas And Nicholas operates at a smaller scale, accepting referred cases and walk-ins with emphasis on implant planning and extractive surgery. Larger group practices or hospital-affiliated oral surgery departments (including those at Erlanger and CHI Memorial) handle the same procedures but add general anesthesia capability, emergency trauma cases, and complex jaw reconstruction. Choose Nicholas And Nicholas for straightforward implant work and extractions performed under local anesthesia; choose a hospital oral surgery department if you require general anesthesia or are being treated for facial trauma.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not Suit

Nicholas And Nicholas is suited to patients needing extraction or implant placement under local anesthesia who have a clear referral from their general dentist or who are seeking a second opinion on implant feasibility. It suits patients whose insurance covers a portion of the surgical fee and who can schedule in advance. It does not suit patients who require general anesthesia for anxiety or medical reasons, patients seeking same-day walk-in emergency extraction for an acutely infected tooth (the practice is referral-based and not an emergency service), or patients with complex jaw pathology (cysts, tumors, fractures) that require hospital-level imaging and surgical capability.

First Visit and Appointment Scheduling

The first visit includes a clinical exam and review of radiographs (usually existing digital pans from your general dentist's office, or newly taken if unavailable). The dentist discusses extraction anatomy or implant feasibility, explaining bone volume, sinus proximity, and whether grafting is needed. For implants, a written treatment plan with fee estimates is provided. If you are considering implants, expect the conversation to include a 4 to 6 month timeline from extraction or grafting to implant placement, and another 3 to 6 months from implant placement to final crown delivery by your general dentist.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Nicholas And Nicholas operates Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (hours subject to change; confirm at time of scheduling). The practice is located in an office building with surface parking. Most appointments run 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on case complexity. Plan on swelling and mild discomfort after extraction, with recovery time typically 7 to 10 days before full return to normal diet and activity.

Nicholas And Nicholas fills a direct need in Chattanooga for implant-focused oral surgery and extraction work at a scale that keeps costs lower than hospital facilities and accommodates patients whose general dentists prefer to work with a specific local specialist.