Orthodontist in Nashville

June 15, 2026

As Tennessee’s largest city and the seat of state government, Nashville carries a population of roughly 715,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and that scale translates into one of the deepest orthodontic markets in the state. Practices cluster across Davidson County and spill into the fast-growing Williamson County suburbs of Franklin, Brentwood, and Nolensville, so families here typically have several offices within a short drive. Because orthodontic care often runs one to two years, the practical advantage of a local provider is the chance to visit the office, meet the treating doctor, and review a plan in person before agreeing to braces or aligners.

What separates an orthodontist from a general dentist is residency training. After dental school and a DDS or DMD degree, an orthodontist completes a further two to three year program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, focused on moving teeth, correcting the bite, and guiding facial growth. In Tennessee, all dentists and recognized dental specialists are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry within the Department of Health. Orthodontics is one of the dental specialties recognized under TCA 63-5-112, and the board may certify a qualified dentist as a specialist under TCA 63-5-113. A smaller group of orthodontists go on to earn the voluntary Diplomate credential from the American Board of Orthodontics, which sits on top of the state license rather than replacing it.

Tennessee does not require a standalone orthodontics business permit beyond the dental and specialty licenses each doctor already holds, so a practice operates as an ordinary registered business. The state’s 7% sales tax and the local option tax apply to taxable retail goods rather than to professional clinical services, which is why a Davidson County combined rate of roughly 9.75% rarely touches a treatment fee. To check a doctor before scheduling, patients can use the Department of Health license verification portal, choosing the Health Related Boards and then the Board of Dentistry, which displays current status and any disciplinary record. The board itself sits at 665 Mainstream Drive in Nashville.

Beyond verifying credentials, a few steps make comparing Nashville practices easier. Most offices offer traditional metal braces, ceramic or clear braces, and removable clear aligners, with interceptive options for children whose jaws are still developing and full treatment for adults. Since many provide free first consultations along with in-house payment plans and insurance coordination, asking for a written plan that itemizes fees and the expected timeline is a sensible way to weigh one office against another. If a problem arises later, conduct or care concerns go to the Department of Health’s Health Related Boards, while billing and contract disputes fall under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104) through the Division of Consumer Affairs. This article is informational and is not dental advice; treatment decisions belong with a licensed orthodontist.

Top Orthodontists in Nashville

1. Lucas Orthodontic Group

Address: 4525 Harding Pike, Suite 110, Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: (629) 260-7397
Website: https://lucasorthodonticgroup.com
Services: metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign and clear aligners, two-phase treatment, retainers, treatment for children, teens, and adults
Description: Lucas Orthodontic Group’s Nashville office is located in the Belle Meade area on Harding Pike and is part of a six-location practice that also serves Franklin (Berry Farms), Brentwood, Columbia, Gallatin, and Nolensville. The practice describes more than two decades of experience and lists a team of orthodontists including Dr. Jon Lucas, Dr. Kate Schessler, Dr. Amelia Tran, and Dr. Lane Steinhaus. It identifies itself as a Platinum Invisalign Provider and one of the leading Invisalign providers in Middle Tennessee, and it offers a range of treatments from early two-phase care for children to comprehensive options for adults. The practice provides payment plans and a payment calculator for families comparing financing options across its locations.

2. Brooks & Templeton Orthodontics

Address: 718 Thompson Lane, #123, Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 800-3101
Website: https://nashvilleorthodontists.com
Services: traditional metal braces, Damon Ultima braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, treatment for children, teens, and adults
Description: Brooks & Templeton Orthodontics is a Nashville practice on Thompson Lane led by Dr. Britta Brooks and Dr. Elizabeth Templeton, both described as board-certified orthodontists. The office serves Nashville and nearby communities including Berry Hill, Crieve Hall, Green Hills, Brentwood, and Oak Hill. Its treatment menu spans traditional metal braces, Damon Ultima self-ligating braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners for patients of all ages. The practice offers free orthodontic consultations that include a full exam, digital imaging, and a personalized treatment plan, and it publishes a general treatment cost range and flexible payment options for prospective patients.

3. SmileMaker Orthodontics

Address: 1077 E. Trinity Lane, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 865-6551
Website: https://www.smilemaker.com
Services: metal braces, ceramic and clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign for Teens, orthodontics for children, adult treatment
Description: SmileMaker Orthodontics operates an East Nashville office on East Trinity Lane along with a second location in Hendersonville on East Main Street. The practice is led by Dr. Jay B. Burton, who is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. SmileMaker offers traditional metal braces, ceramic clear braces, and Invisalign and Invisalign for Teens, supported by digital imaging and computer-assisted treatment planning. The office promotes 0% financing for qualifying patients and states that most insurance plans are accepted, positioning it as an option for families seeking treatment for children, teens, and adults on the east side of Nashville.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontists in Nashville

Q: How do I verify that a Nashville orthodontist is licensed?

You can confirm a dentist’s or orthodontist’s license through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online license verification portal by selecting the Health Related Boards option and the Board of Dentistry. The portal shows current license status and disciplinary history and is updated regularly. The Board of Dentistry, located at 665 Mainstream Drive in Nashville, regulates dentists and recognized dental specialists in Tennessee.

Q: What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

Both complete dental school and earn a DDS or DMD, but an orthodontist then finishes an additional two to three year residency in orthodontics accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. That specialty training focuses on diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Tennessee recognizes dental specialties under TCA 63-5-112, including orthodontics, and under TCA 63-5-113 the Board of Dentistry may certify a qualified dentist as a specialist.

Q: What does it mean for an orthodontist to be board certified?

Board certification refers to becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a voluntary credential earned by passing the board’s examinations after residency. It is separate from the state dental license required to practice. Several Nashville orthodontists, including Dr. Jay B. Burton at SmileMaker, hold this certification, while others practice under their state specialty licensure without it.

Q: What orthodontic treatment options are available in Nashville?

Nashville practices commonly offer traditional metal braces, ceramic or clear braces, and removable clear aligners such as Invisalign. Many also provide early or interceptive treatment for children with developing jaws and comprehensive treatment for adults. The right option depends on the type and severity of the malocclusion, which a licensed orthodontist evaluates during a consultation.

Q: How can I compare the cost of orthodontic treatment?

Request a written treatment plan with itemized fees, the expected length of treatment, and the financing terms before starting. Many Nashville practices offer free initial consultations, in-house payment plans, and insurance coordination, and some publish general cost ranges. Comparing written plans from more than one practice helps clarify what is included, since fees vary with the complexity of the case.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a Nashville orthodontist?

Complaints about the conduct or care of a licensed orthodontist can be filed with the Tennessee Department of Health’s Health Related Boards, which oversee the Board of Dentistry. Billing or contract disputes may also fall under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Keeping your signed treatment agreement, payment records, and correspondence supports any complaint.