Convenient Access from Lakewood
From the Lakewood Theatre on Old Hickory Blvd, most patients reach Providence Dental Care in about 18 minutes. If you are comparing options for a dentist near Lakewood, our office is at 684 N Mt Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, where Dr. Josh Gunnels and Dr. Spencer Bierlein care for adults, teens and children.
The route has only a handful of turns. Head south on Old Hickory Blvd (SR 45) and stay on it for a little over six miles, past the grounds of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and into Hermitage itself. Take the ramp onto I-40 East, drive roughly four miles to exit 226, then turn left and go north on Mt. Juliet Rd. Our building is less than a mile up, on N Mt Juliet Rd between the interstate and US 70.
All in, the trip is about 12 miles. The community theatre at 2211 Old Hickory Blvd sits right by 22nd Street, the heart of the old commercial strip, so locals know exactly where to start. Save the address from Google Maps to your phone before the first trip. Neighbors just north in Old Hickory follow the same boulevard south, and Hermitage patients join the route partway along.
Straightforward Dental Care for Lakewood Residents
Lakewood has always had a strong sense of itself. It incorporated in 1959 under the name Dupontonia, after the nearby DuPont rayon plant, and became Lakewood in 1961. When Nashville and Davidson County merged their governments in 1963, it kept its own charter, council and police department as a small satellite city.
That independence lasted until 2011. After a one-vote result in 2010 was challenged in court, residents voted again in March 2011 and narrowly chose to surrender the charter, and Lakewood became a neighborhood of Metro Nashville. People who went through two close votes tend to appreciate plain talk, and that suits the way we practice.
Our doctors show you the photos, imaging and x-rays behind every recommendation and explain what can wait and what should not. There is no judgment about how long it has been since your last checkup, and no pressure to say yes on the spot. You are welcome to take the plan home and think it over.
If the dental chair makes you uneasy, our team builds that into the appointment from the start. Nitrous oxide is available when a procedure feels like a lot, and it is the only form of sedation we offer, so you stay awake and in control. Warm blankets, neck pillows and Hulu on the ceiling TVs make longer appointments pass more easily.
Dental Health Notes for Lakewood Households
The Lakewood Commercial District, along Old Hickory Blvd at 22nd Street, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. From there, 22nd Street runs east toward Old Hickory Lake and Blue Turtle Bay Marina. For many households, a good share of the dental care that matters is simply catching problems while they are small and inexpensive.
Gum disease is the clearest example. It rarely hurts in its early stages, so many adults do not notice anything until gums bleed, recede or feel tender. Treating it early is far easier than dealing with loose teeth later, and a dental laser can help reduce bacteria and inflammation below the gumline.
Cavities follow a similar pattern. A small spot found during a routine exam might need only a filling, or even Curodont treatment for very early decay, while the same spot ignored for a few years may need a crown or root canal. Regular visits are the cheapest dental care most people ever get.
Life near the lake adds one more consideration. Boat ramps, docks and summer sports are part of the routine for many families, and an unexpected chipped or knocked tooth is easier to save when it is seen promptly.
Timing matters for working adults, too. Monday through Thursday the office opens at 7 AM, so an exam or cleaning can be done before a shift starts, and on Friday our hours run from 8 AM to 2 PM. Because the drive is mostly a single boulevard and a short interstate stretch, it is easy to predict, although rush hour on I-40 can add a few minutes.
Services for Anyone Choosing a Dentist Near Lakewood
Here are the treatments that matter most for keeping costs and surprises down.
Routine Exams and Cleanings
Preventive Dentistry is where savings start: exams, cleanings, screenings, fluoride and sealants. Our AI-Assisted Dental Diagnostics software marks areas on x-rays for the doctor to review, which helps spot small issues early.
Gum Disease Treatment
Our Periodontal Care includes deep cleanings and ongoing maintenance. Laser Gum Therapy uses a dental laser to target bacteria and inflammation in the pockets around teeth.
Repairing Damaged Teeth
Restorative Dentistry covers fillings, crowns and bridges, root canal therapy and dentures. CEREC lets us complete many crowns in a single visit when the case is appropriate.
Help When Something Goes Wrong
A toothache that keeps you up or a tooth broken on something hard calls for Emergency Dentistry. We start with a focused exam and digital x-rays, and for an emergency we do our best to fit you in the same day. New patients can use our $49 Emergency Exam & X-Ray offer for that first problem-focused visit.
Meet Your Lakewood Dental Team
Dr. Josh Gunnels and Dr. Spencer Bierlein share the care at our office. Dr. Gunnels, a University of Tennessee School of Dentistry graduate, grew up in Mount Juliet and came home to open a practice built on integrity and gentle care. Dr. Bierlein trained at the University at Buffalo, is an Eagle Scout, and has provided care with Indian Health Services and in the Dominican Republic.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
We work with most major carriers and are in-network with many popular providers, such as Delta Dental, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. Without insurance, established patients can join our membership plan for routine care plus 20% off procedures.
For bigger treatment, Cherry and CareCredit offer financing, and the front desk can help you apply.
Lakewood Patient FAQs
How far is Providence Dental Care from Lakewood, and how do I get there?
Providence Dental Care is about 12 miles from the Lakewood Theatre, roughly an 18-minute drive. Follow Old Hickory Blvd south through Hermitage, take I-40 East to exit 226, and turn north on Mt. Juliet Rd. Neighbors who want a dentist near Lakewood with a simple, mostly straight drive find the trip easy.
Can a spot of early decay be stopped before it needs a filling?
Sometimes, yes. If a spot of early enamel breakdown is caught in time, our hygienists can apply Curodont to support natural remineralization and strengthen the tooth, with no drilling or needles. It suits areas you may have been told to watch. Once a cavity has gone deeper, a tooth-colored filling is usually the better repair.
Is laser gum therapy an option for gums that bleed when I brush?
It can be. Bleeding gums usually point to inflammation, and our doctors first measure the gum pockets to see how far it has gone. When treatment is needed, a dental laser can be used alongside a deep cleaning to reduce bacteria and inflammation. Regular maintenance visits then help keep the problem from returning.
What comfort options do you offer during longer appointments?
Quite a few. Each treatment room has a TV mounted on the ceiling with Hulu, and we keep warm blankets, neck pillows and a beverage station ready. For anxious patients, nitrous oxide is available and is the only sedation we use. Our team also slows the pace and checks in often whenever you need a break.
Do you use AI to read dental x-rays?
Yes. Our office uses AI-assisted diagnostic software that highlights possible problem areas on x-rays, such as early signs of decay. It works as a second set of eyes only. Your doctor reviews every finding, shows it to you on the screen, and makes the final decision about whether anything needs treatment.
Schedule Your Visit from Lakewood
When you are ready for a dentist near Lakewood who explains every option clearly, call (615) 716-0058 and we will help you find a time. See the full list of communities on our Areas We Serve page, or visit our Mt. Juliet dentist homepage to learn more about the practice.