Convenient Access from La Vergne
Here is the honest version for anyone comparing a dentist in La Vergne, TN with one a little farther out: Providence Dental Care is about 23 minutes north of La Vergne City Hall, in central Mt. Juliet. That is not a quick hop. What makes the drive pay off is how much we can get done once you are in the chair, and how early we open.
From City Hall at 5093 Murfreesboro Rd, head northwest on Murfreesboro Rd (US 41/70S) for roughly 2 miles and turn right onto Hobson Pike. Hobson Pike, also SR 171, crosses Percy Priest Lake and runs briefly through Long Hunter State Park before it becomes S Mt Juliet Rd near the Wilson County line. Stay on that one road through the I-40 interchange at exit 226, where it turns into N Mt Juliet Rd. Our office is a short way past the interstate at 684 N Mt Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122.
La Vergne sits in northern Rutherford County, and our office is across the line in Wilson County. The whole trip is about 14 miles, and you never touch I-24. Rush hour can stretch things a bit, so build in a small cushion. If you want a fixed starting landmark, the La Vergne Public Library sits right beside City Hall, and you can open our location on Google Maps before you leave.
You will pass through Rural Hill on S Mt Juliet Rd along the way, and families in Providence, just south of I-40, have an even shorter ride to the same door.
Why La Vergne Households Make the Trip North
La Vergne has grown fast. The population roughly doubled between 2000 and 2020, and Lake Forest Estates alone holds more than 3,100 homes, often described as the largest subdivision in Tennessee. Niche has ranked the city the most diverse suburb in the state, and the town's schools, churches and festivals reflect that mix.
A lot of La Vergne residents work early or rotating shifts. The city is home to the Bridgestone plant, Ingram Content Group, an Amazon distribution center and the ICEE headquarters, and I-24 links it straight to Nashville for everyone else. For a schedule like that, the clock matters more than the mileage. We open at 7 AM Monday through Thursday, so a cleaning can come first and the workday second.
The other thing that matters on a longer drive is the number of trips. Our team leans on technology that trims visits: a handheld 3D scanner instead of impression putty in many cases, CEREC milling for crowns, and digital x-rays. One well-planned visit beats three rushed ones when each round trip is close to 50 minutes.
Comfort counts too, especially if you have put off care because the dentist makes you uneasy. Treatment rooms have TVs on the ceilings with Hulu, and warm blankets and neck pillows are there for the asking. Nitrous oxide is available when a little extra calm helps, and the team will slow the pace whenever you need a break. Nobody rushes you because of the drive you made to get here.
What La Vergne Patients Should Know About Their Dental Care
Busy, growing towns tend to share a pattern: checkups slide when work and kids take over, and small problems wait until they hurt. A cavity that could have been a simple filling becomes a cracked tooth that needs a crown. Gums that bled a little in the shower turn into deeper pockets around the teeth. Twice-yearly exams exist precisely to catch those changes while they are still minor.
We keep the conversation judgment-free. If it has been several years since your last cleaning, you will not get a lecture. Our doctors show you what they see on your x-rays and photos, explain your options plainly, and let you choose the pace. Preserving natural teeth and keeping gums healthy is the goal behind almost every recommendation we make.
For parents, prevention is also the cheapest dentistry there is. Sealants on back teeth, fluoride after cleanings and a custom mouthguard for sports can head off a lot of trouble.
Dental Services for Families Choosing a Dentist in La Vergne, TN
These are the services La Vergne patients ask about most. Each one is handled at our office on N Mt Juliet Rd, so a single location covers routine care, repairs and the unexpected.
Urgent Tooth Problems
Our Emergency Dentistry visits start with a problem-focused exam and digital x-rays, so we can find the source of the pain quickly. For a dental emergency, call as soon as something breaks or swells, and we will do our best to see you the same day.
Crowns Without the Wait
Broken and heavily filled teeth are handled through our Restorative Dentistry care. In many situations we can design, mill and place Same-Day Crowns with CEREC, which spares you a second trip for a permanent crown.
Cleanings and Checkups
Preventive Dentistry covers exams, cleanings, screenings and imaging, plus sealants, fluoride, sports mouthguards and nightguards for grinders. It is the care that keeps future visits short.
Healthier Gums
Bleeding or puffy gums deserve attention early. Our Periodontal Care includes periodontal maintenance visits and laser gum therapy, which uses a dental laser to address bacteria and inflammation below the gumline.
A Brighter Smile
For adults who want to look as good as they feel, Cosmetic Dentistry options include at-home whitening, veneers and SureSmile clear aligners for mild to moderate crowding, which come with remote monitoring between visits.
Meet Your La Vergne Dental Team
Dr. Josh Gunnels and Dr. Spencer Bierlein share the practice. Dr. Gunnels grew up in Mount Juliet, studied civil engineering at Tennessee Tech, earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in Memphis and came home to open the practice. Dr. Bierlein, a Michigan native and Eagle Scout, trained at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and still volunteers at the Interfaith Dental Clinic in Nashville.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
We are in network with many popular plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, and our team will walk you through what your benefits cover. Without insurance, new patients can start with a $99 cleaning, exam and x-ray visit when there is no periodontal disease. Established patients can join a membership plan that saves 20% on procedures, and Cherry and CareCredit financing are available for larger treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Providence Dental Care from La Vergne, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 14 miles from La Vergne City Hall, usually around 23 minutes by car. You take Murfreesboro Rd northwest, turn right on Hobson Pike, and follow it as it becomes S Mt Juliet Rd and then N Mt Juliet Rd past I-40. Many people searching for a dentist in La Vergne, TN like that the route skips I-24 entirely.
How long should I plan to spend at the office on my first visit?
Plan on a little over an hour. We ask new patients to arrive 15 minutes early, and the comprehensive exam itself takes about an hour. Forms are sent ahead electronically, so you can finish them at home. A cleaning may be scheduled for a separate visit, depending on what the exam shows.
What does a first emergency exam cost for new patients?
New patients can get a $49 emergency exam with x-rays. It is a problem-focused visit aimed at finding the cause of your pain or damage and laying out a plan to fix it. If you call early about an emergency, our team will do our best to see you the same day.
Can I book a 7 AM appointment before an early shift?
Yes. We open at 7 AM Monday through Thursday, which works well for patients who start work mid-morning or head out for a later shift. Friday hours run from 8 AM to 2 PM. Early slots tend to go first, so booking your next checkup before you leave is the easiest way to keep one.
Is there a savings plan if my family has no dental insurance?
Yes, for established patients who are actively receiving care with us. Child Complete covers kids 13 and younger for $25 a month, and Adult Complete is $30 a month for ages 14 and up. Both include cleanings, exams, routine x-rays, one emergency exam and 20% off procedures done at our practice.
Schedule Your Visit from La Vergne
If you have been looking for a dentist in La Vergne, TN who opens early and finishes more in each visit, call us at (615) 716-0058. You can also browse the other communities on our Areas We Serve page or learn more about our Mt. Juliet dentist team and office.