Trusted Orthodontics for Memphis Families
Saddle Creek Orthodontics provides orthodontic treatment for Memphis-area kids, teens and adults, including metal braces, clear braces, Clarity Aligners, Invisalign and early treatment, from two offices in Germantown and Collierville. Treatment is planned and supervised by two board-certified orthodontists, and every new patient starts with a free consultation.
Orthodontics is more than straight teeth. It's about how your teeth fit together, how your jaws grow and how your smile holds up for decades. This page walks through what orthodontic treatment can fix, the options we offer and what the process looks like from your first visit to your retainer.
Germantown
Address:
2176 West St #320
Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 726-3878
Office Hours:
Monday: 8am-5pm
Tuesday: 8am-5pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Collierville
Address:
60 Market Center Dr #101
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 726-3878
Office Hours:
Monday: 8am-5pm
Tuesday: 8am-5pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
What Orthodontic Treatment Can Fix
People usually come in for crooked teeth, but the bite underneath is often the bigger story. Common problems we treat include:
- Crowding: Not enough room for teeth to line up, which also makes them harder to clean.
- Spacing: Gaps between teeth from missing teeth, small teeth or habits like tongue thrusting.
- Overbite and deep bite: Upper front teeth overlapping the lower teeth too much, which can wear teeth down over time.
- Underbite: Lower teeth sitting in front of the upper teeth, often related to jaw growth.
- Crossbite: Upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth, which can shift the jaw to one side.
- Open bite: Front teeth that don't meet when you bite down, often linked to thumb sucking or tongue posture.
Left alone, some of these lead to uneven wear, gum problems or jaw discomfort. Correcting them is as much about long-term dental health as it is about how your smile looks.
Our Orthodontic Treatment Options
We offer a full range of treatments, so your recommendation is based on what your teeth need, not on a single system. If you'd like to learn more about the doctors behind the plan, visit our page on choosing an orthodontist in Memphis.
Metal braces
Metal braces are still the most versatile tool in orthodontics. Small stainless steel brackets and a thin wire apply steady, gentle pressure, and we adjust the wire every six to eight weeks. Today's metal braces are smaller and smoother than the ones most parents remember, and kids get to choose new band colors at every visit.
Clear braces
Clear braces work just like metal braces, but the brackets are tooth-colored ceramic, so they blend in. They're a favorite with older teens and adults who want fixed treatment without the metal look. Our page on braces for Memphis patients compares metal and ceramic side by side.
Clarity Aligners
Clarity Aligners are our primary clear aligner system. They're removable, nearly invisible trays that move teeth in small, planned steps. Because Clarity Aligners come in different flexibility levels, your orthodontist can match the material to specific tooth movements in your plan.
Invisalign
We're also an experienced Invisalign provider for teens and adults. Invisalign works well for many cases of crowding, spacing and mild to moderate bite issues, and it's a great fit for patients who'll wear their aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Learn more on our Memphis Invisalign page.
Early (Phase 1) treatment
Some kids benefit from a short first phase of treatment, usually between ages 7 and 10, to guide jaw growth, correct a crossbite or make room for permanent teeth. Tools like palatal expanders can widen a narrow upper jaw while it's still growing. Most kids don't need early treatment, and we'll only recommend it when it clearly helps.
Braces or Aligners: How We Help You Decide
There isn't one right answer for everyone. When we recommend braces or aligners, we look at:
- The type of movement needed. Some rotations, root movements and bite corrections are more predictable with braces.
- Age and growth. Younger patients may need appliances that guide growth before or alongside braces or aligners.
- Lifestyle. Aligners come out to eat and brush, which many adults love. Braces stay put, which helps patients who might forget to wear trays.
- Sports and music. We'll talk through mouthguards, instruments and anything else that's part of daily life.
Your orthodontist will walk through these with you at your consultation and explain why one option fits better than another for your case.
How Treatment Works, Step by Step
- Free consultation. We take photos and digital records, and one of our doctors examines your teeth, bite and jaw position.
- Custom treatment plan. Your orthodontist maps out each movement using digital scans, so you know what the plan is and roughly how long it should take.
- Getting started. Braces go on in a single comfortable visit, or you pick up your first set of aligners. Many patients can start the same day as their consultation if they'd like to.
- Regular check-ins. Most patients come in every six to ten weeks. Visits are quick, and you'll see the same doctor each time.
- Retainers. When your teeth are where they belong, retainers keep them there. Wearing them as directed is the single best way to protect your results, and our guide to everything you need to know about retainers explains why.
Most comprehensive treatment runs somewhere between 12 and 24 months, depending on the case. Simple aligner cases can be shorter, and complex bite corrections can take longer.
Technology That Makes Treatment Easier
We use digital intraoral scanning instead of messy impression trays for most patients, 3D treatment planning to map tooth movements before treatment starts, and in-office 3D printing for appliances and models. That means more comfortable records, more precise plans and fewer appointments that take you away from work or school.
Orthodontics at Every Age
About 60% of our patients start as kids and teens, and about 40% start as adults.
- Kids: A first orthodontic checkup by age 7, as the American Association of Orthodontists recommends, lets us monitor growth and catch problems early. Our guide to treatment options for kids covers what parents can expect.
- Teens: Most teens are ready for full treatment once their permanent teeth are in. We plan around sports, band and school events.
- Adults: Adults are one of the fastest growing groups in orthodontics, and discreet options make treatment easy to fit into work life. Read more about adult orthodontics and why more grown-ups are starting treatment.
Serving Families Across the Memphis Area
Both of our offices, in Germantown on West Street between Poplar Avenue and Poplar Pike and in Collierville's Schilling Farms, are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Families from East Memphis, Midtown, Cordova, Collierville, Piperton, Rossville and Olive Branch and DeSoto County all see us regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an orthodontist treat?
Orthodontists treat crooked, crowded or gapped teeth and bite problems like overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. They also guide jaw growth in children so permanent teeth have room to come in properly.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most comprehensive treatment takes between 12 and 24 months. Mild cases can finish sooner, and more involved bite corrections can take longer. Your orthodontist will give you an estimate at your free consultation.
Are braces or clear aligners better?
Neither is better for everyone. Braces can handle the widest range of movements, while clear aligners like Clarity Aligners and Invisalign are removable and nearly invisible. Your orthodontist will recommend what fits your bite and lifestyle.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can schedule a free consultation with us directly. We're happy to coordinate with your family dentist so everyone stays on the same page.
Where are your offices located?
Our offices are at 2176 West Street, Suite 320, in Germantown and 60 Market Center Drive, Suite 101, in Collierville. Both serve patients from across Memphis and the surrounding area.
Start With a Free Consultation
The easiest way to find out what orthodontic treatment would look like for you or your child is to come see us. Schedule your free consultation or call 901.726.3878, and we'll find a time at the office that works best for you.