More adults are choosing orthodontic treatment than ever before, and at Starling Orthodontics in Brentwood, nearly half of our patients are adults. Whether you want completely hidden lingual braces, clear aligners, ceramic braces, or metal braces we have discreet, flexible options designed to fit your professional life, your schedule, your budget, and your smile goals.
Schedule A FREE ConsultationAdult orthodontic treatment in 2026 looks nothing like what you may remember. At Starling Orthodontics, we use advanced 3D digital imaging, intraoral scanners (no messy impressions), low-profile brackets, and precision wire technology to create treatment plans that are faster, more comfortable, and designed around your life. Most adult patients are surprised by how manageable and discreet modern orthodontic treatment actually is.
If discretion is your top priority, lingual braces are the gold standard and Starling Orthodontics is Tennessee's #1 lingual braces provider. Unlike clear aligners, lingual braces are fixed to the back of your teeth, completely out of sight in every conversation, photo, and professional setting. No one will know you're in treatment unless you tell them.
Dr. Starling has placed lingual braces on hundreds of adults across Nashville, Brentwood, and Middle Tennessee using multiple systems including WIN, the most advanced and versitile custom lingual system currently available. WIN is a custom-fabricated lingual braces system made using 3D scanning and precision milling technology. WIN brackets are designed specifically for your teeth, minimizing discomfort and maximizing results.
Lingual braces are ideal for professionals, executives, attorneys, performers, public speakers, and anyone who wants the precision of fixed braces with zero visible hardware. If you've been putting off orthodontic treatment because you don't want anyone to know, this is your answer.
For adults who want a flexible, nearly invisible treatment option, Starling Orthodontics offers 3M Clarity Aligners, a premium clear aligner system that delivers outstanding results without brackets or wires.
Clarity Aligners are custom fabricated removable trays worn over the teeth, gradually shifting them into alignment over the course of treatment. Because they're removable, you can eat and drink without restrictions, brush and floss normally, and take them out for important meetings, presentations, or special events.
What sets Clarity apart from other clear aligner systems is the precision of 3M's materials and manufacturing process. The same company behind some of the most advanced orthodontic bracket technology in the world brings that same engineering to clear aligners.
Clarity Aligners work best for adults with mild to moderate alignment concerns who are committed to wearing their trays 20 to 22 hours daily. If you've been considering Invisalign, Clarity is absolutely worth comparing. Dr. Starling can walk you through exactly how the two systems differ at your free consultation.`
For adults who want a more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces, ceramic braces offer an excellent middle ground. Tooth-colored or translucent brackets blend naturally with your enamel, making them far less noticeable than metal braces in photos, video calls, and everyday interactions while delivering the same proven results.
Ceramic braces work identically to metal braces with the same precision wire mechanics, the same treatment control, and the same fixed reliability. The difference is just with a much softer, more natural appearance. For adults who aren't confident they can commit to wearing removable aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, ceramic braces offer the compliance-free dependability of fixed braces with a look that won't draw attention.
At Starling Orthodontics, we use 3M Clarity Advanced ceramic brackets, one of the most refined ceramic systems available. Clear or tooth-colored wires on the upper front teeth can make the overall appearance even more subtle during treatment.
Ceramic braces are also a more affordable fixed option than lingual braces, making them a smart choice for adults who want discreet, reliable treatment without the premium investment of a fully hidden appliance. Dr. Starling will help you determine whether ceramic braces are the right fit based on your bite, lifestyle, budget, and treatment goals.
Traditional metal braces remain one of the most effective and reliable orthodontic treatments available, and today's version looks and feels nothing like what most adults remember. Modern metal brackets are smaller, smoother, and far more comfortable than the bulky hardware of decades past.
For adults with complex alignment issues, significant crowding, or challenging bite corrections, metal braces deliver predictable and precise results compared with any orthodontic treatment option. Because they're fixed to the teeth and working continuously, there's no compliance variable, and the outcome doesn't depend on remembering to wear a tray or aligner every day.
Metal braces are also the most affordable comprehensive orthodontic option at Starling Orthodontics, making them an excellent choice for adults who want thorough, effective treatment with a straightforward investment. Dr. Starling uses low-profile brackets and advanced wire technology to keep the treatment as comfortable and efficient as possible from start to finish.`
Temporary Anchorage Devices, commonly called TADs, are one of the most powerful and least talked-about tools in modern orthodontics. These small titanium anchors are temporarily placed in the jaw to provide a fixed reference point that allows Dr. Starling to move teeth with a level of precision that wires and brackets alone cannot always achieve.
For adult patients, TADs can be a game-changer. They can eliminate the need for jaw surgery, avoid tooth extractions, correct a gummy smile, level a slanted bite, and help guide teeth that haven't fully erupted into their proper position-all without headgear or other bulky appliances.
Placement takes less than five minutes and is performed with a small amount of local anesthetic, making the process far more comfortable than most patients expect. When the planned tooth movements are complete, TADs are removed just as easily. In fact, most patients find the initial soreness after getting braces placed is more noticeable than anything they experience with TAD placement or removal.
TADs are not needed for every case, but when they are the right tool, they can dramatically improve the outcome, avoid more involved procedures, and sometimes even shorten overall treatment time. Dr. Starling will discuss whether TADs are appropriate for your specific situation during your consultation.
For a small percentage of adults, the underlying cause of their bite problem isn't the teeth; it's the jaw itself. When the upper and lower jaws don't align properly due to skeletal discrepancy, orthodontic treatment alone may not fully correct the issue. In these cases, orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontic treatment can achieve results that braces or aligners simply cannot.
Surgical orthodontics addresses functional concerns first such as improving chewing, airway/ OSA, speaking, and long-term joint health. However, many patients consistently report that the improvement in their overall facial balance and appearance is equally transformative. Correcting a jaw that was always "off" can have a profound impact on how a patient feels about their face, not just their teeth.
Dr. Starling works closely with a trusted network of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the Nashville and Brentwood area to coordinate surgical orthodontic cases from start to finish. Orthodontic treatment typically occurs in two phases: 1. before surgery to align the teeth, and 2. after surgery to refine the final result. The combined timeline varies by case, and Dr. Starling will walk you through exactly what to expect if surgical orthodontics is the right path for you.
Surgical orthodontics is not the right solution for everyone, but for the patients who need it, it is often life-changing. If you've been told your bite problem is too complex for braces alone, a consultation with Dr. Starling is a great place to start.`
Please call (615) 507-1660 or click below to schedule your appointment online.
Please call (615) 507-1660 or click below to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation online.
