Rick McKenzie Dental Office in Chattanooga: Periodontist Specializing in Gum Disease and Implant Care

Rick McKenzie Dental Office operates as a specialty periodontology practice in Chattanooga, serving patients who need gum disease treatment, bone grafting, and dental implant placement. Unlike general dentists, periodontists focus exclusively on the tissues supporting teeth and the surgical and non-surgical procedures required when those tissues are compromised.

What Rick McKenzie Dental Office actually is

Rick McKenzie is a periodontist whose practice centers on treating gum disease, placing dental implants, and performing graft procedures. He accepts both referred and walk-in patients, though most come through referrals from general dentists and oral surgeons in the Chattanooga area. The office is independently operated rather than part of a larger dental group or hospital system.

Gum treatments and the referral pathway

Patients arrive at Rick McKenzie Dental Office through two routes: a referral from their general dentist (most common when scaling and root planing or more advanced treatment is needed) or direct scheduling after consulting a general dentist about periodontal concerns. The practice treats gingivitis, periodontitis, bone loss, and gum recession using non-surgical scaling and root planing, soft-tissue grafts, and bone regeneration procedures.

The typical pathway begins with your general dentist identifying gum disease or bone loss on X-rays or during examination. They refer you to Rick McKenzie, who performs a periodontal assessment including probing depths, bleeding, and radiographic imaging. Based on that evaluation, treatment may range from twice-yearly deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) to surgical intervention. Implant cases often involve Rick McKenzie as the surgical specialist while your general dentist provides the restorative crown afterward.

Services and pricing structure

Rick McKenzie Dental Office provides scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery (including soft-tissue and bone grafts), dental implant placement, and implant maintenance. Specific pricing is not published online; patients receive estimates after the initial consultation based on the extent of disease or the complexity of implant placement.

Insurance coverage varies widely. Most plans classify periodontal treatment under major restorative care and cover 50 percent after meeting a deductible, though some plans exclude bone grafts or implant surgery entirely. Verify your plan's coverage limits before your first appointment, particularly if you anticipate surgery.

How Rick McKenzie compares to other Chattanooga periodontists

Chattanooga has several periodontal practices, including periodontists within larger dental groups and independent specialists. Rick McKenzie's independence means no overhead from a corporate dental network and potentially more scheduling flexibility, but it also means no on-site general dentistry, restorative work, or orthodontics; you coordinate those services separately with your general dentist. Larger group practices like Tennessee Prosthodontic Group (which includes periodontal specialists) offer multi-specialty care under one roof and may streamline implant cases from extraction through restoration, but often at higher overhead cost and with less scheduling autonomy.

Choose Rick McKenzie if you prefer a focused periodontal specialist with one-on-one attention and do not mind coordinating with your general dentist. Choose a group practice if you want all phases of implant care (surgical and restorative) in one place and value one-stop convenience.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Rick McKenzie Dental Office suits patients whose general dentist has referred them for moderate-to-advanced gum disease, patients needing dental implants, and those requiring graft procedures. It suits patients with existing general dental care who want specialist expertise and those comfortable managing multiple providers.

It does not suit patients seeking comprehensive preventive dentistry (see your general dentist instead), patients who need same-day emergency gum care without a referral, or those wanting all dental work consolidated at one address.

What the first visit involves

Your first appointment includes a periodontal evaluation: probing each tooth to measure pocket depth, assessing bleeding and inflammation, taking radiographs, and reviewing your medical and dental history. Rick McKenzie discusses findings, explains your diagnosis, and outlines treatment options with associated timing and likely costs. The appointment typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. If scaling and root planing is recommended and approved by your insurance, it may be scheduled for a follow-up visit or completed in phases.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Rick McKenzie Dental Office is located in Chattanooga and operates on a standard weekday schedule; confirm specific hours by phone before your first visit, as periodontal offices often limit hours to morning and early-afternoon appointments. Parking is available on-site or in nearby street parking depending on location. Bring your insurance card and photo ID. If you are taking sedation for a surgical procedure, arrange a ride home.

Rick McKenzie's role as a dedicated periodontist means his practice handles the surgical and disease-management work that general dentists cannot provide in-house, making him a necessary specialist for patients with significant gum disease or implant needs in Chattanooga.