Frequently Asked Questions
No referral is needed. You can contact SmileMaker Orthodontics directly to request a free consultation with Dr. Jay Burton. We also welcome referrals from your dentist or another healthcare professional.
Call 615-865-6551 or use our Contact Us page to request an appointment in Hendersonville or East Nashville.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7, or sooner if you notice a concern. This lets us assess developing teeth, the bite, and jaw growth.
An early examination does not mean your child needs braces right away. We may recommend monitoring until treatment would be helpful.
Orthodontists complete additional specialty training after dental school focused on tooth movement, bite relationships, and orthodontic treatment planning. Dr. Jay Burton is an orthodontist certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
We work with your general or pediatric dentist, who continues to provide your regular dental care. Visit our Hendersonville or East Nashville location to discuss your treatment options.
Tooth and jaw development varies, so an examination is the best way to decide whether a concern needs treatment or monitoring. The AAO recommends an orthodontic checkup by age 7, or earlier if you notice a problem. An early visit does not automatically mean braces. Learn about orthodontic care for children and what we look for as the teeth and bite develop.
It’s easy to set an orthodontics appointment at SmileMaker Orthodontics! Click here and fill out the form. We will call you or email you to set up a time that works with your schedule. We at SmileMaker Orthodontics know how busy your life is and how difficult it can be to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
You could also email us or give us a call at 615-865-6551.
When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you to see Dr. Burton, he is so great and our patients just love him.
At your first visit, our team will welcome you, review your health and dental history, and ask about your concerns and treatment goals. Dr. Burton will evaluate your teeth and bite and explain the findings.
Photos, scans, or X-rays may be recommended when needed for diagnosis and planning. We will discuss whether treatment is recommended, the available options, and the next steps. You will have time to ask questions.
During each orthodontic examination we strive to give you the following information.
To achieve the best result it is sometimes necessary to remove teeth. Dr. Burton is committed to being as conservative as possible and his goal is to get you a great smile with straight teeth and a nice profile.
Treatment time varies with your bite, the movements needed, the treatment approach, and your response to care. Keeping appointments, caring for your appliances, and following instructions also affect progress.
Dr. Burton will explain the estimated timing after evaluating your needs. Shorter treatment may be appropriate for limited corrections, while more complex treatment can take longer. An estimate is not a guaranteed completion date.
The cost of braces is determined by the individual treatment plan that Dr. Burton develops for each patient. He will look at what you need to have done, the expected length of treatment and the complexity of treatment. At our orthodontic office we try to make sure that finances don’t stand in the way of anyone needing braces.
We work with our patients to make sure their payments are comfortable and easy. We will be able to determine the fee for your treatment once Dr. Burton has performed his examination and looked thru the completed diagnostic records.
For your convenience we will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit. As a courtesy to you, we try to make it as easy as possible for you and file your claims. Click here to find out more about insurance.
At our office we schedule appointments according to each patient’s needs. Most of our patients in braces are seen 6-8 weeks. This all depends on what type of orthodontic adjustment is made and what wires are being used with the braces.
Occasionally, there are times when more frequent appointments are needed. If so, we will work with you to schedule your appointments in most appropriate manner.
We do try to limit the number of appointments during school time and we make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. We strive to do our best to minimize the number of times you will have to miss school.
Usually we try to schedule our normal adjustments during our after school times with longer appointments occurring during the day. We do this to try to limit the number of times our patients have to miss.
As a former college professor, Dr. Burton knows the importance being in the classroom and as a parent, he also shares your concerns about your child being absent.
Absolutely. Many parents will drop their children off and while we are working on them, they are usually able to take care of an errand or two. We understand how hectic a parent’s schedule can be and we want to help you as much as we can.
Most of the time we will ask to speak with a parent before your child leaves to explain what work has been done and give you any instructions that may be needed.
Teeth can feel tender after braces are placed or adjusted, especially during the first few days. The amount of discomfort varies from person to person.
Softer foods and orthodontic wax for rubbing brackets may help. Ask our team about appropriate comfort measures and whether an over-the-counter medicine is suitable for you. Call us if pain is severe, persists, or is associated with a broken appliance.
Absolutely! You can for sure go back to school. We orthodontists love school… after all we spent a lot of time there.
Braces and other appliances are selected according to your diagnosis and treatment goals. At your consultation, we will explain the options we recommend, how they work, and how to care for them.
If you have questions about the materials or equipment used in your care, please ask our team.
For sure! Mouth guards are a necessity though. We recommend mouth guards for all athletes, regardless whether or not they are in braces.
Yes! Dr. Burton will work with your dentist to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy during your treatment. It is important that your 6-month checkups continue with your family/pediatric dentist while in braces.
The good news is that no one starves when they are in braces. It is important that you do avoid certain foods.
Some of these foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and any sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). If you follow these instructions it is often possible to avoid most emergency appointments, as these are commonly needed to repair broken or damaged braces.
We encourage our patients to brush at least four times each day. Good hygiene is important and to best take care of your teeth while in braces you should after each meal and before going to bed.
Our orthodontic assistants spend a lot of time to teach each patient how to floss and brush with braces. We may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride toothpaste, if necessary.
Call 615-865-6551 if a wire is poking, a bracket or appliance is loose, or your braces are causing persistent discomfort. We will help determine whether you need a repair or comfort appointment. Do not wait until your next scheduled visit to report a problem.
For difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious facial injury, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Yes. You do not need to wait for all the baby teeth to fall out. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up by age 7, or earlier when a concern is noticed.
We may recommend monitoring growth and tooth development rather than starting treatment immediately.
Phase one treatment addresses selected orthodontic problems while a child is still growing and usually still has some baby teeth. It is recommended when there is a specific reason to treat early; many children can be monitored instead.
Dr. Burton will explain the goals, alternatives, and expected timing. A later phase of treatment may still be needed after more permanent teeth erupt.
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