Inspiring Conversations with Dr. McKinnon Forbes of Center for Advanced Dentistry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. McKinnon Forbes

Hi Dr. McKinnon , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my dental career in the military as a dentist in the Army, which was an incredibly valuable learning experience. However, I quickly realized that I lacked the freedom to practice dentistry in the way I envisioned. After four years of service, my family and I made the decision to move to Nashville and open our own practice. With a deep-rooted commitment to a holistic and natural lifestyle, I knew I wanted to incorporate these principles into my dental practice. As we began integrating biological dentistry into our approach, we started seeing significantly improved results, which fueled my passion to learn more.

I was fortunate to meet Dr. Thomas Lokensgard, a pioneer in biological dentistry, who has been instrumental in guiding me on my journey. Through him, I was introduced to Dr. Grill, who was retiring, which led to the opportunity to merge practices in Franklin. This transition marked an exciting new chapter for our practice.

Every day, I continue to learn—sometimes from my patients—and our practice evolves through ongoing education, innovative ideas, and the adoption of new technologies. I am deeply passionate about treating each patient individually and helping them achieve their unique dental goals.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Throughout my career, I’ve faced many challenges, but the most significant hurdles have not come from treating patients, they’ve come from running a small business. As a dentist, my primary focus is always on providing the best care for my patients, but I’ve had to dedicate considerable time to learning how to manage the business side of things. I truly believe that dental schools should offer business courses to better prepare future dentists for these challenges.

In addition to treating patients, I’m responsible for making financial decisions, meeting with labs and suppliers, continuing my education and managing a team of employees who rely on me. The workday doesn’t end when the last patient leaves the office. I’ve learned that hiring the right people to help with the business side has been essential in allowing me to focus on my passion—providing my patients with individualized care.

Another challenge I’ve faced is balancing work with my home life. As a husband and father to four young children, I’ve had to draw firm boundaries between my professional and personal time. While I’ve spent many late nights and weekends at the office, always striving to meet my patients’ needs, I never want to sacrifice precious time with my family. I am incredibly fortunate to have a supportive and understanding wife, who makes this balancing act much easier. She has also been a huge help in managing the practice, lifting a significant load off my shoulders.

Despite the struggles, we’ve managed to navigate these challenges together, with a lot of faith and prayer. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to overcome these obstacles as a team.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we specialize in biological and holistic dentistry, offering a comprehensive approach to dental care that considers the health of your entire body—not just your teeth. As a biological dentist, I believe that oral health plays an integral role in your overall well-being. Our philosophy is simple: the body works as a whole, and dental treatments should support and enhance that harmony, not just address symptoms.

What sets us apart?

We take a more holistic and natural approach to dentistry. Biological dentistry goes beyond simply treating dental issues—it focuses on treating the causes of health problems and using the least toxic, most biocompatible methods available. Every treatment option we offer is designed to work in harmony with your body’s natural ability to heal and repair itself. This means we focus on long-term health, not quick fixes. From minimizing the impact on tooth structure during restorative treatments to using non-toxic, natural alternatives, our goal is to enhance your overall health, not just your smile.

Some of our key offerings include:

Minimally Invasive Techniques: We believe in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. Whether we’re filling a cavity or preparing a tooth for a restoration, we take great care to reduce the amount of healthy tooth material that is removed. This not only respects the tooth but also aids in future re-treatment, ensuring your teeth remain as strong and healthy as possible for years to come.

Safe Mercury Removal: We offer SMART-certified mercury amalgam removal to safely eliminate mercury fillings from your mouth. Mercury is a toxic metal that can leach into your bloodstream, affecting your organs, especially the brain. We follow a safe and controlled protocol to remove old mercury fillings and help detoxify your system afterward.

Fluoride-Free Hygiene: We don’t use fluoride in our office at all. Instead, we focus on holistic and natural products to promote oral health. Our hygienists provide traditional scaling and polishing, along with advanced treatments like oral ozone therapy and deep scaling. We also perform full-head and neck exams, as well as intraoral cancer screenings.

Ceramic Implants: When it comes to dental implants, we recommend ceramic implants over traditional titanium. These implants offer a natural, biocompatible alternative to metal, and in many cases, we prefer them for their aesthetic and health benefits. If ceramic implants aren’t a viable option, we will discuss your best alternatives and make recommendations based on your unique needs.

Ozone Therapies: We utilize ozone in many of our procedures due to its powerful ability to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens. It can reverse tooth decay, promote bone regrowth, reduce TMJ pain, and help in the healing of periodontal disease. Ozone is a game changer in holistic dentistry, and we’re proud to incorporate it into our treatments for the most effective, non-invasive results.

Cosmetic Dentistry: We take a conservative approach to cosmetic dentistry, focusing on enhancing your smile while preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Whether you’re interested in whitening, veneers, or reshaping your teeth, we provide aesthetically pleasing, sustainable results without compromising your long-term oral health.

TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment: We understand the significant impact TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can have on your quality of life. Our holistic approach focuses on addressing the root causes of TMJ discomfort, using natural therapies and non-invasive techniques to relieve pain and improve jaw function.

Root Canal Alternatives: We offer vital pulp therapy, a minimally invasive alternative to traditional root canals. By treating the tooth pulp without the need for extensive drilling or removal, we preserve more of the natural tooth while preventing infection and promoting healing. This method aligns with our holistic philosophy of supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

What Are We Most Proud Of?

We are most proud of the trust and long-lasting relationships we’ve built with our patients. Our focus on natural, biocompatible treatments and a holistic approach sets us apart from other practices, and we’re honored to be recognized for the care and attention we give to each patient. What drives us daily is knowing that we are not just treating dental problems—we are improving the overall health and well-being of our patients.

What Do We Want Our Readers to Know About Our Brand?

At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we are more than just a dental office—we are a place where your health and well-being are our top priority. We offer a range of holistic and biological dental services designed to treat the root causes of health problems, not just mask the symptoms. Whether you’re seeking safe mercury removal, minimally invasive restorations, holistic hygiene, or natural alternatives to traditional dental procedures, we are committed to providing the highest quality care, in a safe, comfortable environment.

Our practice is based on the belief that health is holistic, and we approach every patient’s care with this philosophy in mind. We are here to support your overall health with every decision we make, ensuring that you can live your healthiest, happiest life with a beautiful smile to match.

Pricing:

• As a holistic and biological dentist, I’ve made the decision not to accept insurance for several important reasons, all of which are rooted in my commitment to providing the highest quality care for my patients, without compromise. First and foremost, my approach to dentistry is focused on the individual health and well-being of each patient. Holistic and biological dentistry often involves more personalized, customized treatments that are not always covered by traditional insurance plans. Many insurance policies have rigid guidelines and limitations that can restrict the type of care we can provide. I want to ensure that every patient receives the best, most effective treatments available, without being confined by the constraints of insurance coverage. Additionally, insurance companies often prioritize cost-saving measures over the long-term health of patients, which can sometimes result in the use of less effective or less biocompatible options. In holistic and biological dentistry, we choose the least toxic and most biocompatible materials for restorations, fillings, and implants, which may not be the cheapest or covered by insurance. This ensures we are using the safest options for your body, rather than making decisions based on what insurance will approve. By not working with insurance companies, we have the freedom to offer more comprehensive treatments that support the body as a whole, rather than just addressing symptoms. Whether it’s safe mercury removal, holistic dental materials, or advanced ozone therapies, these are treatments that are in line with the philosophy of biological dentistry, but unfortunately, they are often not covered by traditional insurance plans. Furthermore, insurance companies can create unnecessary administrative burdens, affecting the quality of care you receive. The paperwork and negotiations often delay treatments, create confusion, and result in higher costs for patients due to hidden fees or claims denials. By eliminating insurance involvement, I can focus more on the patient and their treatment rather than managing insurance approvals and dealing with the complexities of insurance policies. Lastly, we offer flexible payment options to make our services accessible. While we do not accept insurance, we are committed to ensuring that our patients can still receive the care they need. We believe in transparent pricing and providing you with all the information upfront, so you know exactly what to expect without the complications of navigating insurance claims. In short, I choose not to accept insurance so that I can provide the best possible care, based on what is right for you, not what is dictated by an insurance company. My priority is your health, and I believe this approach allows me to treat you in the most personalized, effective, and holistic way possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://biodentistrytn.com
• Instagram: center.for.advanced.dentistry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestnashvilledentist