Dentist in Memphis

June 14, 2026

A local dentist provides hands-on care that remote or mail-order options cannot match: in-person examinations, diagnostic imaging, professional cleanings, and a continuous record of a patient’s oral health over time. Cavities, gum disease, and bite problems are identified through direct examination, and emergencies such as a broken tooth or sudden pain need a clinician who can be seen quickly. An established Memphis practice keeps a patient’s history on file, which helps the dental team track changes, plan restorative or cosmetic work, and coordinate care for an entire family in one place.

Memphis is the second-largest city in Tennessee, with a population of roughly 618,980 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its size supports a broad range of general, cosmetic, restorative, and specialty dental practices across the city and surrounding Shelby County. Patients can choose from solo practitioners, multi-dentist family groups, and offices that concentrate on cosmetic or implant work, with locations spread from East Memphis to downtown and the Harbor Town area. That breadth gives residents options by neighborhood, service mix, technology, and the kind of relationship they want with their dental team.

Dentists in Tennessee are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which operates under the Tennessee Department of Health among the state’s Health Related Boards. The Board establishes licensure requirements, evaluates applicants, and enforces the rules of dental practice, and it investigates complaints involving substandard care, unprofessional conduct, unlicensed practice, and similar violations. Patients in Memphis can confirm a dentist’s credentials through the Department of Health’s online license-verification system, which is drawn from primary sources and updated regularly. The same regulatory structure covers the dental hygienists and dental assistants who support licensed dentists.

The dental care available in Memphis spans preventive and general dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings, and emergency visits), restorative work (crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, and implants), cosmetic services (whitening, veneers, bonding, and smile makeovers), orthodontics including clear aligners, and pediatric care. Before starting treatment, a patient can verify a dentist’s license through the Tennessee Department of Health license-verification system, and anyone with a concern about the care provided by a licensed dentist can file a complaint with the Department of Health, which houses the Board of Dentistry. Clinical and professional-conduct complaints about dentists are handled through this Health Related Boards channel rather than a general consumer-affairs office.

Top Dentist Providers in Memphis

1. Memphis Center for Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Address: 725 W Brookhaven Circle, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 761-2210
Website: https://www.beautifulsmiles.org
Services: general dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, night guards, periodontal care, oral cancer screenings, emergency care), cosmetic dentistry (porcelain veneers, no-prep veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, smile makeovers, gum contouring), sedation dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics (Invisalign and clear braces)
Description: Memphis Center for Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is an East Memphis practice led by Dr. Miles Moore, DDS, offering general, cosmetic, and family dental care from a single location. The office provides a full range of preventive and restorative services along with cosmetic work such as porcelain and no-prep veneers, bonding, whitening, and smile makeovers, and it offers sedation dentistry for patients with dental anxiety. The practice uses iTero digital scanning technology and describes its environment as spa-like with an emphasis on patient comfort. Listed affiliations include the Tennessee Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the Crown Council, and the office is an Invisalign provider.

2. Parkhurst & Savage, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Address: 730 Crossover Lane, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 683-4369
Website: https://www.drparkhurst.com
Services: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, preventive dentistry, crown and bridgework, dental implants, dentures and partials, sleep apnea and snoring relief, teeth-grinding relief, TMJ therapy
Description: Parkhurst & Savage, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry has served Memphis since 2004 and operates from a single location in East Memphis. The practice is led by Dr. Micah Parkhurst, DDS, Dr. Michael Savage, DDS, and Dr. G. John Touliatos, DDS, and emphasizes comprehensive, multidisciplinary care using advanced technology. Beyond routine general and cosmetic dentistry, the office addresses crown and bridgework, dental implants, dentures and partials, sleep apnea and snoring, teeth grinding, and TMJ therapy. Dr. Parkhurst serves as a faculty member with the Clinical Mastery Series and has directed dental triage for the Mid-South Mission of Mercy since its inception in 2016.

3. Higginbotham Family Dental

Address: 5100 Wheelis Dr, Suite 214, Memphis, TN 38117 (East Memphis); 113 Harbor Town Square, Suite 203, Memphis, TN 38103 (Harbor Town)
Phone: (901) 767-1610 (East Memphis); (901) 453-6081 (Harbor Town)
Website: https://www.higginbothamfamilydental.com
Services: preventive and general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers), restorative dentistry (fillings, crowns, bridges), dental implants, Invisalign, emergency dental services, care for adults and children
Description: Higginbotham Family Dental serves Memphis from two city locations, one in East Memphis on Wheelis Drive and one in the Harbor Town area downtown. The practice provides comprehensive dental services for adults and children, including preventive care, cosmetic procedures, restorative work, dental implants, and Invisalign, with same-day appointments available for emergencies. The dental team includes Todd Higginbotham, DDS, John Crown, DDS, and Tanya Wadhwa, DDS. The practice accepts major dental insurance plans and offers membership plans and interest-free payment options; it is part of a larger group with offices across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dentist in Memphis

Q: Who licenses and regulates dentists in Memphis?

Dentists in Memphis and across Tennessee are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which operates under the Tennessee Department of Health as one of the state’s Health Related Boards. The Board sets licensure standards, reviews credentials, and enforces the rules that govern dental practice for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.

Q: How do I verify that a Memphis dentist is licensed?

You can confirm a dentist’s license through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online license-verification system, the official verification tool of the Health Related Boards. The system allows searches by name, license number, or location, and its data comes from primary sources, so it reflects the current status of a license.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a dentist in Memphis?

Complaints about care or professional conduct by a licensed dentist are filed with the Tennessee Department of Health, which houses the Board of Dentistry. Board staff review the complaint and may open a formal investigation, request records, and hold a hearing if the evidence supports it. These clinical and conduct complaints go through the Health Related Boards channel rather than a general consumer-affairs office.

Q: What types of dental care can I find in Memphis?

Memphis practices offer preventive and general dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings, and emergency care), restorative dentistry (crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, and implants), cosmetic dentistry (whitening, veneers, bonding, and smile makeovers), orthodontics such as clear aligners, and pediatric and family care. Some offices also address sleep apnea, TMJ, and teeth grinding.

Q: How often should I see a dentist?

Many dentists recommend a routine checkup and professional cleaning roughly every six months, but the right interval depends on a patient’s individual oral health, history, and risk factors. A dentist can recommend a personalized schedule after an examination. This article is informational and is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

Q: Does it matter if a Memphis dental practice has more than one location?

A multi-location practice can offer added scheduling flexibility, since a patient may be able to book at whichever office is most convenient, and records are typically shared across the group. The most important factors remain that each treating dentist holds a current Tennessee license and that the services and approach fit the patient’s needs.

Q: What should I bring to a first dental visit in Memphis?

Bring a photo ID, your dental insurance details if you have coverage, a list of current medications, and any prior dental records or recent X-rays a previous office can transfer. Arriving a few minutes early to complete new-patient forms lets the appointment focus on the examination and a discussion of treatment options.