Brentwood
Belle Meade
Nolensville
Berry Farms

Happy young curly-haired woman smiling

Take it from our orthodontists; no two smiles are alike, and your orthodontic treatment needs to reflect this.

Your smile is the facial feature people tend to notice first, and it can play a significant role in your self-confidence for this reason.

At Lucas Orthodontic GroupThis link leads to Home page, we understand this and help every patient obtain one they can feel confident about.

We want to stress that when achieving your perfect smile, an orthodontist from our practice will play a vital role in the process, from your smile analysis to your last aligner or removal of your braces. 

Understand orthodontics

So, what exactly is orthodontics?

This area of dentistry focuses on your teeth and jaw.

Specifically, orthodontists diagnose and treat abnormalities in these parts of your mouth using treatments like braces and Invisalign.

Some specific problems orthodontic care fixes include the following:

  • Underbites
  • Overbites
  • Crossbites
  • Crooked teeth
  • Gaps

The orthodontic journey

Young man smiling in a dentist's chair

The orthodontic journey is a multi-step process, starting with your initial consultation and ending with a beautiful smile.

Consultation

Your consultation or smile analysis is your first appointment and the first step toward an improved smile.

You'll meet with one of our skilled, caring orthodontistsThis link leads to Doctors' page to assess your mouth, take impressions and imaging, and discuss your specific goals and desires.

This appointment is an ideal time to ask questions or express any concerns.

Treatment planning

The next phase depends on your treatment. 

For instance, we'll predict how your teeth will shift to craft a treatment plan if you're receiving braces.

On the other hand, we'll map a course of action and have the lab create a series of several aligners to shift your teeth if you choose Invisalign.

Treatment initiation

How we initiate your treatment depends on whether you're receiving braces or Invisalign.

For Invisalign, we'll send you home with your clear aligners and explain when to change them, how to care for them, and other helpful information to ensure optimal results from your treatment.

You must wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours daily. About every two weeks, you’ll switch to a new set of trays

On the other hand, for patients who receive braces, an orthodontist from our practice will adhere the brackets to your teeth, connect the wires, and possibly place bands. 

Usually, we complete all this in one visit.

Regular checkups

Throughout your orthodontic journey, you'll need to visit for regular checkups so we can monitor your progress, adjust your braces, and create the next aligners in the series.

Generally, braces require more frequent visits than Invisalign.

Treatment completion

Finally, you'll complete your treatment after your teeth shift to their proper positions. 

The length depends on the chosen orthodontic treatment. The condition and its severity impact it as well. 

Generally, the average Invisalign treatment time is 12 to 18 months, with some patients needing as little as six months and some needing more.

Braces usually take longer and require 16 to 18 months on average, with some patients needing a couple of months and others requiring two years or more. 

No matter which treatment you receive, an orthodontist from our practice will size you for retainers for the last stage of the process. 

You wear them for a designated amount of time each day based on how long it's been since you completed the treatment. 

You'll need to wear them for the rest of your life to maintain your results.

Your orthodontist will advise you on a schedule for the best long-term results.

Benefits of orthodontic treatment

You may question whether achieving your perfect smile with orthodontic care is the right approach for you.

Fortunately, orthodontic care offers several benefits.

Improved aesthetics

When we straighten your smile and place your top and bottom teeth into proper alignment, we alter your smile's esthetical appeal.

The treatment will boost your confidence, and you'll be able to smile in person and photos like you've never smiled before.

Oral health

Teeth with appropriate spacing and without gaps are easier to clean and maintain.

You can floss more effectively between them and reach the exposed surfaces of every tooth.

Ultimately, you'll reduce your risk of decay and gum disease.

Better functionality

While achieving your perfect smile with orthodontic care may boost your confidence, your treatment can also improve chewing and speaking.

Preventive benefits

Misalignments and other issues can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder, often referred to as TMJ or TMD, and can lead to headaches and jaw pain.

They could also lead to uneven wear of your teeth.

Orthodontic treatment can prevent all this.

Caring for your orthodontic appliances

Once you have braces, Invisalign, or a retainer, you must care for the appliance correctly, which includes keeping the aligners or retainers clean, avoiding certain foods with braces, and wearing your aligners or retainer for the appropriate amount of time daily.

We'll advise you on the proper careThis link leads to the Caring for Braces page before you leave our office with your orthodontic device.

Takeaway

Achieving your perfect smile with orthodontic care is possible and can benefit your oral health.

An orthodontist from Lucas Orthodontic GroupThis link leads to Home page will guide you every step of the way so you receive the ultimate level of benefits from your treatment and a beautiful smile. 

We’ll help you choose the right option by conducting a comprehensive smile analysis.

Plus, we offer flexible hours to work with your schedule!  

The first step is booking your consultation!

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We have six convenient locations in Brentwood, Nashville, Gallatin, Columbia, Nolensville, and Franklin. This means we're near cities like Springhill, Smyrna, Mount Juliet, La Vergne, Murfreesboro, and Goodlettsville, TN.