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Gentle Dental

Dental Implants in Bloomington

Closed
(812) 339-7371WebsiteUpdated Aug 20, 2026

About Gentle Dental

Gentle Dental is a dental practice on East 3rd Street in Bloomington, Indiana. A dental implant replaces a missing tooth at the root, not just the crown — a small titanium post is placed in the jaw bone and, once it has integrated over a period of months, a replacement tooth is attached to it. It is generally the most durable option for a single missing tooth or several.

Cosmetic treatment is generally the least invasive branch of dentistry, built around changing how teeth look rather than fixing something broken. Whitening and bonding sit at the lighter end; veneers and reshaping involve more planning. Most cosmetic dental insurance excludes this kind of work, since it is elective rather than medically necessary.

A crown covers an entire damaged tooth — used when too much structure is missing for a filling to hold reliably, whether from a large fracture, extensive decay, or after root canal treatment. It restores both the shape and the biting strength of the tooth underneath.

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth to crowns placed on the teeth either side of the gap, creating a fixed replacement rather than a removable one. It is a longstanding alternative to an implant, particularly when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns.

Dentures replace some or all of the natural teeth in a jaw with a removable appliance, custom-fitted to the mouth. A full denture replaces every tooth; a partial fills gaps where some natural teeth remain. Because the jaw bone reshapes over time, dentures typically need adjusting or remaking periodically.

Professional teeth whitening uses a peroxide-based gel, applied under supervision at a strength stronger than anything sold over the counter, to lift years of staining from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. It works on natural enamel only — existing crowns, veneers, and fillings keep whatever shade they were made in. Contact details for Gentle Dental are on this page, along with the full list of services offered — reach out to ask about scheduling.

Gentle Dental is a family-oriented dental office that believes in treating each individual as a family member or friend, not only as a patient. Our job is to make sure that you have the highest quality of dental care services and the best smile possible. We offer patients a loving, caring environment and make every effort to give you our best. Serving the Bloomington and surrounding areas, Dr. Rhett Tharp Gentle Dental has over 26 years of experience and is a member of the American Dental Associ

Clinic Details

Best Known For

Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Crowns & Bridges, Dental Crowns, Dental Bridges

Business Hours

Monday
8:00 AM5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM5:00 PM
Thursday(Today)
8:00 AM5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM5:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gentle Dental located?
Gentle Dental is a dental practice in Bloomington, Indiana (ZIP 47401).
What services does Gentle Dental offer?
It is a general and family dentistry practice, providing exams, cleanings, and fillings along with restorative and cosmetic treatment.
Does the practice treat children and adults?
Yes. The practice welcomes patients of every age, so a whole household can be seen at one office.
How often should I have a dental checkup?
Most dentists recommend a checkup and professional cleaning every six months, which helps catch problems while they are still small.
How do I book an appointment at Gentle Dental?
You can contact Gentle Dental directly from this page to ask a question or request an appointment.

Location

Services Offered

Dental Implants

Dental implants replace missing teeth with a post set in the jaw and topped with a custom crown, restoring chewing function and limiting bone loss.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry at Gentle Dental improves the appearance of a smile through treatments such as whitening and veneers, planned around each patient's goals.

Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges repair and replace damaged or missing teeth — a crown caps a weakened tooth, while a bridge spans the gap left by lost teeth.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown caps a tooth that is cracked, heavily decayed, or weakened, restoring its shape, strength, and everyday function.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth, restoring the bite and keeping neighboring teeth from shifting.

Other services

Teeth WhiteningDental FillingsFamily Dental CareGeneral DentistryDenturesAffordable Dental Care

Reviews

5 reviews

Smyleee Rating reflects verified profile signals, reviews, and overall care quality.

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Recent Reviews

L
L***7 years ago

Fantastic work!

P
P***7 years ago

Never had a complaint. Dr. Tharp is friendly and good at what he does. Staff is always pleasant.

J
J***7 years ago

I was super nervous about going to the dentist after avoiding it for a couple of years. They were great! Very patient and understanding about my anxiety. I was recommended by one of their patients to see them, and they even called me back to be absolutely sure I had been referred to them and not somewhere else. (There was some confusion about the spelling of the name of the person who referred me.) They suggested I call to have x-rays sent to an oral surgeon they recommended for wisdom teeth removal (so that I won't have to go through and pay for x-rays again) and the person I spoke to in the office was very polite, cheerful, and super efficient.

J
J***7 years ago

After over 30 years as Dr. Tharp's patient, still no complaints. He has told us we were silly not to call him outside regular hours when we broke a tooth.

R
R***8 years ago

One of the front office workers/receptionists was super rude for no apparent reason to a service person who was delivering items at address. This office showed zero patience for public servants trying to do their job. I don’t recommend a place that treats other people that way, especially in front of customers.

Reviews are aggregated from public sources.