Raines Jerrie Jonakin DDS in Chattanooga: Surgical Extractions and Implant Placement with Sedation Options
Raines Jerrie Jonakin DDS is an oral surgery practice in Chattanooga that handles tooth extractions, surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth, dental implant placement, and bone grafting. The practice offers patients multiple sedation choices during procedures, a distinction that matters when comparing local oral surgeons who vary widely in sedation capability and pain-management approach.
What the practice handles
The practice covers routine extractions alongside more complex surgical cases. Wisdom tooth removal, bone augmentation for implant sites, and implant placement form the core of the work. Impacted teeth, failed root canals requiring surgical removal, and extraction of teeth with severe decay or gum disease fall within scope. This range means patients can complete extraction and implant planning, and often implant placement itself, without external referral. The practice also manages post-extraction bone loss through grafting, which affects how soon an implant can be placed and its long-term stability.
Sedation options and pain management
The practice offers intravenous (IV) sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and local anesthesia for procedures. This three-tier choice matters. Patients anxious about extractions or unable to hold still for surgery can opt for IV sedation, during which they remain unconscious and remember little of the procedure. Nitrous oxide provides lighter relaxation without unconsciousness and wears off quickly enough to allow same-day driving with a companion. Local anesthesia alone suits straightforward extractions where patient anxiety is low. No oral surgeon in Chattanooga can offer every sedation type; some practices limit themselves to local anesthesia plus nitrous oxide, making Jonakin's IV option valuable for nervous or medically complex patients. Confirm current sedation availability when calling, as staffing and equipment changes affect which options are offered on a given day.
How to compare Jonakin to other Chattanooga oral surgeons
Chattanooga oral surgeons divide into two categories: independent practices and those embedded in dental group settings. Jonakin operates as an independent. Independent practices often allow direct scheduling without a referral from a dentist, while group-based surgeons (such as those within large multi-practice networks) may require a referral and schedule around the group's other services. Jonakin's fee structure is private-pay only; confirm whether your dental insurance is accepted and whether your plan requires a referral for out-of-network surgery. Surgical centers in Chattanooga affiliated with hospital systems offer IV sedation as standard but charge facility fees on top of surgeon fees, raising out-of-pocket cost compared to office-based surgery. If you need wisdom teeth removed or have dental anxiety, Jonakin's in-office sedation and direct-access scheduling may cost less than hospital-facility extraction. If you have significant medical comorbidities or anxiety, a hospital-affiliated surgical center may be safer despite higher cost.
First visit and planning
A new patient should expect a consultation appointment separate from surgery. This appointment involves imaging (intraoral X-rays or CBCT scan for complex cases), evaluation of tooth position and bone quality, and discussion of sedation preference. The surgeon explains extraction difficulty, implant timing if applicable, and cost. Bring a list of current medications and medical history, including any sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or previous anesthesia reactions. If planning implants, understand that bone grafting after extraction may delay implant placement by 4 to 6 months, depending on graft healing. Patients should arrange transportation on surgery day if choosing IV sedation.
Hours and logistics
Confirm current hours by phone before scheduling; oral surgery practices in Chattanooga often block off multiple days for surgical schedules rather than maintaining daily office hours. Parking and location details vary with the specific office address. Many independent oral surgery practices operate in professional office complexes rather than hospital facilities, which usually means easier parking than a hospital campus but less immediate access to emergency backup.
Who this practice suits
Jonakin suits patients who need tooth extraction or implant surgery, prefer local scheduling without a dentist referral, or have dental anxiety and want IV sedation in an office setting. The practice does not suit patients whose insurance requires referral from their dentist or those whose medical complexity demands hospital-level anesthesia monitoring. Patients with no dental insurance should ask directly about cash-pay pricing for their specific procedure.
A practice offering extraction, grafting, and implant surgery in one office with multiple sedation choices shortens timelines and reduces coordination burden for Chattanooga patients who would otherwise navigate a referral across two or three providers.
