Your Memphis Braces Experts
Saddle Creek Orthodontics offers metal and clear braces for Memphis-area kids, teens and adults, with treatment planned by board-certified orthodontists at our Germantown and Collierville offices. Braces remain the most versatile way to straighten teeth and correct bite problems, and today's brackets are smaller, smoother and more comfortable than ever. Your first consultation is free.
How Braces Work
Braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth and a thin archwire that runs through them. The wire applies light, steady pressure, and over time the bone around each tooth remodels so the tooth can move into its new position. Specialized cells break down bone on one side of the root and build it back up on the other side. It's a slow, natural process, which is why treatment takes months instead of weeks.
About every six to eight weeks, you'll come in so your orthodontist can adjust or change the wire and keep everything on track. Small elastics can also be added to correct how the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Metal Braces vs. Clear Braces
We offer two kinds of fixed braces. Both work the same way and both get great results. The difference is mostly about appearance and a few practical details.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces use high-grade stainless steel brackets. They're strong, reliable and handle even the most involved bite corrections. Kids and younger teens love picking new elastic colors at every visit, and adults can choose clear or silver elastics for a lower-key look.
- Most durable option, great for active kids
- Handles the widest range of tooth movements
- Smaller and smoother than braces from years past
Clear braces
Clear braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend in with your teeth. They're popular with older teens and adults who want the reliability of braces without the metal look, especially for senior photos, weddings or work.
- Much less noticeable up close and in photos
- Same fixed, always-working treatment as metal braces
- Ceramic is a little more brittle, so we usually recommend it for older patients
Want the bigger picture on every type of braces, including how they compare over a full treatment? Our article on types of braces for Memphis families covers it in more detail.
Braces or Clear Aligners?
Braces aren't the only option. Removable aligners like Clarity Aligners and Invisalign work well for many cases of crowding and spacing. Braces tend to be the better pick when:
- The case involves significant rotations, root movement or bite correction
- The patient is younger and may not wear removable trays 20 to 22 hours a day
- You'd rather not think about taking anything in and out
Your orthodontist will tell you honestly which option fits your case. You can see the full list of treatments we offer on our Memphis orthodontics page.
Braces for Kids, Teens and Adults
Kids and teens
Most kids are ready for braces once their permanent teeth have come in, usually somewhere between ages 11 and 14. Some younger children need a short early phase first to guide jaw growth. We plan treatment around sports, band, school pictures and the other things that fill up a busy family calendar.
Adults
Plenty of adults choose braces, whether it's for crowding that came back after childhood treatment, a bite that's causing wear, or a smile they've always wanted to fix. Clear braces make treatment easy to fit into professional life, and most adults are surprised how quickly they get used to them.
What to Expect When You Get Braces
- Free consultation. We take digital records and one of our doctors examines your teeth and bite, then walks through your options.
- Placement day. Getting braces on is painless and usually takes about an hour. We clean and prepare the teeth, bond the brackets and place the first wire.
- The first week. Teeth feel sore for a few days as they start moving. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief help. Our first week in braces survival tips cover the rest.
- Regular adjustments. Quick visits every six to eight weeks keep teeth moving on schedule. Curious about the full timeline? Here's a closer look at how long braces take.
- Braces off and retainers on. When your teeth are in place, we remove the braces and fit you with retainers to keep your new smile right where it belongs.
Living With Braces
Eating
You can eat most of your favorite foods. Skip hard, sticky and chewy foods like ice, hard candy, caramel and popcorn, and cut crunchy foods like apples and carrots into small pieces. Here's a full rundown of what you can eat with braces.
Brushing and flossing
Food gets trapped around brackets, so brushing after meals and flossing daily with a floss threader or water flosser makes a big difference. Good hygiene prevents white spots and keeps gums healthy. Our brushing and flossing tips make it easier.
Sports and activities
Yes, you can still play. A properly fitted mouthguard protects both your braces and your lips. Read more about playing sports with braces.
If something breaks
A loose bracket or a poking wire is rarely an emergency. Orthodontic wax and a call to our office usually handle it. Our braces emergency guide explains what to do until your next visit.
Why Memphis Families Choose Saddle Creek for Braces
- Board-certified orthodontists. Both of our doctors are specialists who completed advanced orthodontic training after dental school. Learn more about our Memphis orthodontist team.
- The same doctor at every visit. No rotating providers.
- Treating Memphis smiles since 2013. Hundreds of five-star reviews from local families.
- Fun, relaxed offices. Prize wheel, Dippin' Dots, massage chairs and a team that knows your name.
- Two convenient offices. Our Germantown office on West Street between Poplar Avenue and Poplar Pike is the closer option for most of Memphis, and our Collierville office in Schilling Farms serves the east side of the metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do braces take?
Most patients wear braces for about 18 to 30 months, depending on how much movement is needed and how well elastics and appointments are kept up. Your orthodontist will give you an estimate at your free consultation.
Do braces hurt?
Getting braces on doesn't hurt. Teeth usually feel sore for a few days after placement and after some adjustments, and soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief help.
What's the best age to get braces?
Most kids start braces between about 11 and 14, once their permanent teeth are in. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7 so any early problems can be caught.
Are clear braces as effective as metal braces?
Yes. Clear ceramic braces move teeth the same way metal braces do. Ceramic is a bit more brittle, so we usually recommend clear braces for older teens and adults.
Where can I get braces near Memphis?
Saddle Creek Orthodontics offers braces at two offices near Memphis: 2176 West Street, Suite 320, in Germantown and 60 Market Center Drive, Suite 101, in Collierville. Both offices are open Monday through Friday.
Get Started With a Free Consultation
Find out whether braces are the right fit for you or your child. Book your free consultation or call 901.726.3878 to schedule at the office that's easiest for you.