Top Dental Clinics in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville has a strong choice of dental clinics, and the right one for you depends on your neighborhood, your schedule and whether you need routine care, cosmetic work or both. This guide covers 8 well-reviewed dental clinics across Nashville, including 12 South, the Gulch, Midtown, The Nations, Belle Meade and East Nashville, so you can compare local options and find a practice that fits the way you live.

How We Chose These Dental Clinics

This list is based on publicly available information: each clinic’s own website, the strength of its public patient review profile, the range of general and cosmetic services it offers, and how clearly it presents its team, address and hours. No clinic paid to be included, and the list is not ranked in order. Details such as services, dentists and hours can change, so please confirm everything directly with each practice before booking.

8 Well-Reviewed Dental Clinics in Nashville

1. 12 South Dental Studio

12 South Dental Studio sits on 12th Avenue South in the heart of the 12 South neighborhood. Dr. Meagan Scarborough and Dr. Allyson Fesmire Abrams run a modern studio-style practice that aims for streamlined appointments, and it offers an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance.

• Location: 2700 12th Avenue South, 12 South, Nashville
• Services include: Preventive care, restorative dentistry, dental implants, clear aligners, veneers
• Website: 12southdentalstudio.com

2. Gulch Dental Studio

Gulch Dental Studio is on 11th Avenue South in the Gulch and describes a calm, upscale setting with a concierge style of service. The practice says it offers every level of sedation, which is helpful for patients who feel very anxious about treatment.

• Location: 224 11th Ave S, the Gulch, Nashville
• Services include: General dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, restorative care, sedation dentistry
• Website: gulchdentalstudio.com

3. Joseph P. Wiggs DDS

Joseph P. Wiggs DDS is a family and cosmetic practice on Patterson Street in Midtown, across from the St Thomas Midtown parking garage. Dr. Wiggs lists 3D imaging, digital X-rays and panoramic CT scanning among his technology, and the office opens at 7am on most weekdays.

• Location: 1916 Patterson St, Midtown, Nashville
• Services include: Exams and cleanings, whitening, dental implants, veneers and crowns, root canal therapy
• Website: josephwiggsdds.com

4. Nations Dental Studio

Nations Dental Studio is on Centennial Boulevard in The Nations, inside a converted historic hosiery mill. Dr. Diana D’Aoust and Dr. Hannah Raffoul describe a transparent, no-judgment approach, and the practice treats children as well as adults.

• Location: 4900 Centennial Blvd, The Nations, West Nashville
• Services include: Invisalign, whitening, dental implants, emergency dentistry, children’s dentistry
• Website: nationsdentalstudio.com

5. Belle Meade Family Dentistry

Belle Meade Family Dentistry is on Kenner Avenue and is run by Dr. James R. Pace Sr. and Dr. James R. Pace Jr. The practice has cared for Middle Tennessee families across generations and uses 3D CT scanning and digital impressions. It also offers sedation dentistry.

• Location: 104 Kenner Ave, Belle Meade area, Nashville
• Services include: Dental implants, veneers and smile makeovers, crowns and bridges, root canals, sedation dentistry
• Website: bellemeadedental.com

6. East Nashville Family Dentistry

East Nashville Family Dentistry is on Gallatin Avenue and offers general, cosmetic and restorative care for the whole family. The practice offers same-day emergency care and opens at 7:30am Monday to Friday, closing at lunchtime on Fridays.

• Location: 1214 Gallatin Ave, East Nashville
• Services include: Exams and fillings, whitening and veneers, dental implants, Invisalign, emergency dentistry
• Website: enfdentistry.com

7. East Nashville Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry

East Nashville Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry is further down Gallatin Avenue, led by Dr. Skylor Morton and Dr. Joe Leonard. Alongside routine cleanings it offers implant and cosmetic treatment, and it has private treatment rooms decorated with local art. Same-day emergency appointments are available.

• Location: 815 Gallatin Ave, East Nashville
• Services include: Dental implants including All-on-4, veneers and whitening, cleanings, root canals, emergency care
• Website: eastnashvilledentistry.com

8. Scott Nickels DDS

Scott Nickels DDS is a family and cosmetic practice on 21st Avenue North that has served Nashville patients for several decades. Dr. Nickels offers a range of cosmetic and restorative treatments and welcomes new patients, with payment plans for people without insurance.

• Location: 323 21st Ave N, Nashville
• Services include: Cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns and onlays, whitening and bonding, porcelain veneers
• Website: scottnickelsdds.com

Which Nashville Neighborhood Clinic Makes Sense for You?

Nashville’s growth has made traffic a real factor, and a clinic that looks close on a map can take a long time to reach at rush hour. Think about where you spend your weekdays. If you live in East Nashville, a practice on Gallatin Avenue means you can pop in without crossing the river. If you work in Midtown or near the hospitals, a clinic on Patterson Street or 21st Avenue may let you fit appointments into a lunch break. Families in West Nashville and Sylvan Park may prefer The Nations or Belle Meade.

Parking is another practical point. Some of the busier neighborhoods, such as 12 South and the Gulch, have limited street parking, so check whether the clinic has a lot, a garage or validated parking before your first visit. It is also worth checking opening hours carefully. Several Nashville clinics on this list close early or entirely on Fridays, while others open at 7am. Matching those hours to your own routine will make it far easier to keep up with six-monthly check-ups.

Membership Plans and Insurance: What Should You Ask?

If you have dental insurance through work, the first step is to ask each clinic whether they are in your network and how they handle claims. Some Nashville clinics are in-network with many plans, while others are out-of-network and submit claims on your behalf. Either way, ask the front desk to explain what you are likely to pay for a check-up and for any recommended treatment, and request a written estimate before any larger work begins.

If you do not have insurance, ask whether the clinic offers an in-house membership plan. Several Nashville practices, including some on this list, offer a yearly or monthly plan that covers routine preventive visits and gives a discount on other treatment. These plans usually have no waiting periods or annual maximums, which can make them simpler than traditional insurance. Compare what each plan includes, such as cleanings, X-rays and emergency exams, and check whether family members can join too.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit to a Nashville dental clinic is usually longer than a routine check-up. The team will ask about your medical history, any medicines you take and any problems you have noticed, such as sensitivity, bleeding gums or jaw pain. Most clinics take a full set of X-rays or a panoramic image, and some use 3D scans for a more detailed view. The dentist will check each tooth, your gums, your bite and the soft tissues of your mouth.

Afterward, the dentist should talk you through what they found and what, if anything, needs treatment. Ask them to separate urgent issues from things that can be monitored. If you are interested in cosmetic changes, the first appointment is a good time to mention it, as the dentist can note anything that needs fixing first, such as decay or gum inflammation. Bring your previous dentist’s details if you are new to Nashville, so recent X-rays can be transferred.

Thinking About Cosmetic Treatment in Nashville?

Many Nashville clinics offer cosmetic treatments such as whitening, bonding, veneers and clear aligners. A good starting point is a consultation where the dentist explains which options suit your teeth and your goals. Whitening works best on natural teeth and does not change the color of crowns or fillings. Bonding can repair small chips at a lower cost than veneers. Veneers can change the shape and shade of front teeth but usually involve removing a thin layer of enamel, which cannot be reversed.

Ask to see photos of similar cases the dentist has treated, and ask whether they can show you a digital preview or trial smile before you commit. Realistic expectations matter: cosmetic dentistry can make a big difference, but results depend on your bite, gum health and habits. Ask how long the results are likely to last, how to care for them, and what maintenance or replacement may be needed in future. Healthy teeth and gums should always come first.

How Can You Check a Dentist’s License in Tennessee?

All dentists practicing in Nashville must be licensed by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which sits within the Tennessee Department of Health. The department offers an online license verification tool, where you can search for a dentist by name and check that their license is active. This only takes a moment and is a sensible step before you start any treatment, particularly larger work such as implants, crowns or cosmetic makeovers.

Clinic websites usually include a bio for each dentist, often listing where they trained and the continuing education courses they have taken. These are useful for understanding a dentist’s interests, but remember that general dentists can provide many treatments without being formally recognized specialists. If your dentist recommends specialist care, such as orthodontics or oral surgery, ask who they usually refer to and why, so you can make an informed choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gail Farmer