Saddle Creek Orthodontics is an orthodontic specialty practice serving Memphis families from two offices just east of the city: Germantown (2176 West Street, Suite 320, Germantown, TN 38138) and Collierville (60 Market Center Drive, Suite 101, Collierville, TN 38017). Both of our orthodontists are board certified, we've been treating Memphis-area smiles since 2013, and every new patient starts with a free consultation. We don't have an office inside Memphis city limits, but most of our patients drive in from Memphis neighborhoods every day, and both offices sit right off Poplar Avenue.
If you're looking for an orthodontist in Memphis, you've got a lot of choices, and plenty of general dental offices offer aligners too. Here's what makes a specialist different, how to pick the office that's easiest for your family, and what to expect when you come see us.
Meet Your Memphis Orthodontists
Our two doctors grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, trained in Memphis, and bring more than 25 years of combined orthodontic experience to every patient. You'll see the same doctor at your visits instead of a rotating cast, which is a big part of why families stick with us.
Dr. Kyle Fagala
Dr. Kyle completed dental school at the University of Tennessee and was one of four residents accepted into the University of Tennessee Department of Orthodontics, a full-time, three-year program in Memphis and the oldest orthodontic school in the South. He graduated in 2013 with a certificate in orthodontics and a master's degree in Dental Science. He's a board-certified orthodontist, teaches first-year dental students at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and has served in leadership with the Memphis Association of Orthodontists and the Memphis Dental Society. You can read more on Dr. Kyle's full bio.
Dr. John Boling
Dr. John is a board-certified orthodontist who had braces himself as a kid, and that experience is a big reason he chose orthodontics. Patients and parents tend to notice how much time he takes explaining options and making everyone comfortable in the chair. Get to know him on Dr. John's page.
Why See an Orthodontist Instead of a General Dentist?
Every orthodontist starts out as a dentist. After four years of dental school, an orthodontist completes an additional two to three years of full-time residency focused only on moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. On average, only about six out of every hundred dental school graduates go on to become orthodontists.
That extra training matters most when a case isn't simple. Crowding, crossbites, deep bites, underbites, impacted teeth and jaw growth problems all call for planning that goes well beyond straightening the front teeth. A specialist sees these cases every day, so you get a plan built for how your teeth and bite actually need to move, not just how they look.
We go deeper on this in our guide to the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist, including what questions to ask before you start treatment anywhere.
What board certification means
Board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics is a voluntary step beyond a specialty license. Orthodontists have to pass a written exam and present treated patient cases to a panel of examiners, then recertify over time. It's a good signal that the orthodontist holds their own work to a high standard, and both of our doctors have earned it.
Which Office Is Closest to You?
Both offices offer the same treatments, the same doctors and the same hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm), so pick whichever fits your route to work or school.
Our Germantown office
Our Germantown orthodontic office sits on West Street between Poplar Avenue and Poplar Pike, in the heart of Germantown. For most families coming from East Memphis, Midtown, Downtown, White Station, Hickory Hill and Cordova, this is the closer of the two offices, and it's an easy run straight out Poplar.
Our Collierville office
Our Collierville office is in Schilling Farms near the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Schilling Boulevard, close to Shoot 360. It's a natural fit for families in Collierville, Piperton, Rossville and the eastern edge of the metro. Families coming up from Olive Branch and DeSoto County often find it an easy drive north as well.
Prefer to start from home?
If you're not ready to drive in yet, our virtual smile assessment lets you send a few photos from your phone and get feedback from one of our doctors. It's a simple way to find out whether treatment makes sense before you schedule an in-office visit.
Treatment Options for Memphis Patients
Every smile is different, so we offer a full range of options and help you choose the one that fits your bite, your goals and your schedule. For a closer look at everything we do, visit our page on orthodontics for Memphis families.
- Metal braces: Today's brackets are smaller and more comfortable than the braces most parents remember, and they handle the widest range of cases. Kids love picking new colors at each visit.
- Clear braces: Tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend in with your teeth, popular with older teens and adults who want fixed treatment with a lower profile. Learn more on our braces in Memphis page.
- Clarity Aligners: Our primary clear aligner system. Clarity Aligners come in different levels of flexibility, which gives your orthodontist more control when planning specific tooth movements.
- Invisalign: We're also an experienced Invisalign provider for teens and adults. See our Invisalign in Memphis page for details.
- Early treatment for kids: Some children benefit from a short first phase of treatment to guide jaw growth or make room for permanent teeth. Most don't need it, and we'll tell you honestly either way.
Orthodontic Care for Every Age
About 60% of our patients start treatment as kids and teens, and about 40% come to us as adults. Whether you're 7 or 70, the approach is the same: a careful exam, an honest recommendation and a plan built around your life.
Kids
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7. At that age, we can spot crowding, crossbites and jaw growth concerns early. Most kids we see at 7 simply get monitored as they grow, and we only recommend early treatment when the timing truly calls for it. If you're unsure, our guide on when your child should see an orthodontist walks through the signs to watch for.
Teens
Most teens have all of their permanent teeth and are ready for comprehensive treatment. We work around sports seasons, band, school pictures and prom, and we'll talk through braces versus aligners based on your teen's bite and how consistently they'll wear trays.
Adults
It's never too late. Adults come to us for crowding that's crept back after childhood braces, bite problems causing wear, or prep work before other dental care. Clear options like aligners and ceramic braces fit easily into work and social life. Our team sees adult patients every day, and you can read more about how we approach orthodontics for all ages.
What to Expect at Your Free Consultation
Your first visit is relaxed and no-pressure. Here's how it usually goes:
- Welcome and tour. You'll meet our team and get comfortable. Yes, there's a prize wheel and Dippin' Dots.
- Digital records. We take photos and a digital scan or X-rays so the doctor can see the full picture, including roots and jaw position.
- Exam with your orthodontist. One of our doctors walks through what they see, in plain language.
- Your options. If treatment is recommended, we'll explain which options fit your case, how long treatment should take and how often you'll visit.
- Insurance and next steps. Our team checks your orthodontic benefits and walks you through insurance and payment options so there are no surprises.
There's no obligation to start that day. Many families like to go home and talk it over, and that's completely fine. You can see more about the visit on our first visit page.
How to Choose the Right Orthodontist in Memphis
We'd love to be your pick, but we also want you to feel confident wherever you go. When you're comparing practices, ask:
- Is the doctor an orthodontic specialist, and are they board certified?
- Will I see the same doctor at my appointments?
- Do they offer both braces and aligners, so the recommendation is based on my case and not on what they happen to sell?
- How do they handle a broken bracket or a poking wire between visits?
- What do other local families say in their reviews?
For a longer walkthrough, our article on how to choose an orthodontist covers each of these questions in more detail. And if something does come up mid-treatment, our orthodontic emergency care guide covers what to do until we can see you.
What Memphis Families Say
We're proud to have hundreds of five-star Google reviews across our Germantown and Collierville offices. Parents tend to mention the same things: short waits, a team that knows their kids by name, and doctors who explain things clearly. You can read more on our patient reviews page or browse real results in our before and after gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saddle Creek Orthodontics have an office in Memphis?
Our two offices are in Germantown (2176 West Street, Suite 320) and Collierville (60 Market Center Drive, Suite 101), both just east of Memphis off Poplar Avenue. We don't have an office inside Memphis city limits, but a large share of our patients come from Memphis neighborhoods like East Memphis, Midtown and Cordova.
Which office is closest to East Memphis?
For most of East Memphis, our Germantown office on West Street between Poplar Avenue and Poplar Pike is the closer option. Families farther east, toward Collierville, Piperton or Rossville, usually find the Collierville office in Schilling Farms more convenient.
Are your orthodontists board certified?
Yes. Both of our orthodontists are board certified through the American Board of Orthodontics, and both completed specialty orthodontic training after dental school.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. Your first consultation is free and comes with no obligation to start treatment. It includes digital records, an exam with one of our orthodontists and a walkthrough of your options.
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7. Most children don't need treatment at that age, but an early look lets us catch jaw growth or crowding concerns while they're easier to guide.
Do you offer clear aligners as well as braces?
Yes. We offer metal braces, clear ceramic braces, Clarity Aligners and Invisalign. Your orthodontist will recommend the option that best fits your bite, your goals and your lifestyle.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We work with dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and our team will check your coverage and explain it before treatment starts. We also offer in-house payment plans.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Ready to see what a straighter, healthier smile could look like for you or your child? Book your free consultation at our Germantown or Collierville office, or call us at 901.726.3878. We can't wait to meet you.