Finding the right orthodontist in Chattanooga means choosing a specialist who combines advanced training with personalized care. At Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics, Dr. Cheryl Aldridge and her team focus exclusively on creating beautiful, healthy smiles for kids, teens, and adults throughout the greater Chattanooga area.
What Does an Orthodontist in Chattanooga Do?
An orthodontist in Chattanooga is a dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects misaligned teeth, bite issues, and jaw irregularities using braces, clear aligners, and other appliances. Orthodontists complete two to three years of residency training beyond dental school, focused entirely on tooth movement and jaw alignment.
That extra training is what sets orthodontists apart from general dentists. While general dentists handle a broad range of dental care, orthodontists dedicate their entire practice to straightening teeth and improving how your bite fits together. Dr. Aldridge at Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics brings this specialized expertise to every patient who walks through our doors.
Our Chattanooga orthodontic office offers several treatment options to fit your lifestyle and smile goals:
- Custom metal braces using the KLOwen custom bracket system
- Custom clear braces for a more discreet look
- Angel Aligners for removable, nearly invisible treatment
- Early interceptive treatment for children whose jaws are still developing
If you're dealing with crowding, gaps, an overbite, or a crossbite, orthodontic treatment can help. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive their first evaluation by age seven, but adults benefit from treatment too. Your smile has endless possibilities at any age.
Benefits of Choosing Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics
When you choose Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics, you're choosing a practice built around high-touch, you-first care. Here's what sets us apart:
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Custom Treatment Plans | Dr. Aldridge designs your smile around your specific goals, school or work schedule, sports, instruments, and how often you can make it in for visits |
| Multiple Treatment Options | Choose from custom metal braces, custom clear braces, or Angel Aligners |
| Free Smile Exam | Get expert advice with no obligation and no pressure |
| Wallet-Friendly Financing | Military discounts, family discounts, and flexible payment plans available |
| Bilingual Team | Our friendly team serves patients in both English and Spanish |
| Convenient Scheduling | Visits that work for busy families with kids, teens, and adults |
For more than a decade, Dr. Aldridge has led Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics, earning strong community recognition for orthodontic care in Chattanooga. That kind of consistency comes from genuinely caring about every patient's experience. As an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Cheryl Aldridge completed her dental degree and orthodontic residency training and continues advanced education each year.
Our smart tech includes digital scans rather than messy molds, making your visits more comfortable from day one. We also handle 3D printing of retainers in-house, so you get faster results and fewer delays.
Your Orthodontic Treatment Process
Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3! From your first visit through your final retainer fitting, we'll guide you through five clear steps so you always know exactly what's happening, what's next, and why each visit matters.
Here's a quick look at the full process:
- Free Smile Exam with Dr. Aldridge and digital imaging
- Custom Treatment Plan built around your goals and budget
- Getting Started with your braces or first set of aligners
- Regular Adjustment Visits every four to eight weeks
- Treatment Completion with in-house 3D-printed clear retainers
Step 1: Free Smile Exam
Your first visit includes a complimentary consultation with Dr. Aldridge. We'll take digital scans, digital photos, and digital X-rays to get a complete picture of your teeth and bite. No messy molds here.
Step 2: Custom Treatment Plan
Dr. Aldridge reviews your imaging and discusses your options. You'll receive a clear breakdown of your treatment timeline and cost. We answer every question before you make any decisions.
Step 3: Getting Started
If you choose custom braces, we'll bond your custom brackets during a comfortable visit. For Angel Aligners, you'll receive your first set of trays and learn how to use them. Most patients feel excited rather than nervous when they start their smile with us.
Step 4: Regular Adjustment Visits
You'll return every four to eight weeks for adjustments or to pick up new aligner trays. These visits are typically quick. Our team monitors your progress and makes sure everything stays on track.
Step 5: Treatment Completion
Once your teeth reach their final alignment, we remove your braces or you finish your last aligner tray. Then we fit you with in-house 3D-printed clear retainers to keep your new smile secure.
Treatment length varies based on your specific needs. Simple cases may wrap up in six to twelve months, while more complex corrections can take eighteen to twenty-four months. Dr. Aldridge provides realistic timelines during your consultation so you know what to expect.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment works for more people than you might think. Here's who benefits most:
Children (Age 7+)
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids get their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. As a trusted orthodontist for children in Chattanooga, Dr. Aldridge can spot developing issues and guide jaw growth before things become more complex. Early treatment doesn't always mean braces right away. Sometimes it means monitoring and planning for the future.
Teenagers
Teens are great candidates for orthodontic treatment because their jaw structure is still growing. Most teens begin treatment between ages eleven and fourteen once their adult teeth have come in. Both braces and clear aligners work well for this age group.
Adults
It's never too late to straighten your smile, and adults make up a growing share of our patients every year. If you want to fix crowding that's bothered you for years or correct a bite issue causing discomfort, we can help. Clear aligners and custom clear braces offer discreet options that fit professional lifestyles in East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Collegedale, and beyond.
Common Issues We Treat
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites and underbites
- Crossbites and open bites
- Crooked or rotated teeth
Anyone with healthy teeth and gums can typically begin treatment. If you have cavities or gum disease, we'll coordinate with your dentist to address those first. Your free smile exam determines exactly which treatment option fits your needs best.
Why Chattanooga Families Trust Our Orthodontist
Chattanooga's trusted orthodontist didn't earn that reputation overnight. Families throughout East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Collegedale, and the surrounding communities choose Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics for several reasons:
Specialized Expertise
As an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Cheryl Aldridge focuses exclusively on orthodontic care. You're not seeing a general dentist who dabbles in braces. You're seeing a specialist who does this work every single day, with credentials backed by years of post-doctoral residency training and ongoing continuing education in orthodontic techniques.
Proven Track Record
Our practice has built trust through consistent results. Real patients share their experiences through testimonials, and our before-and-after smile gallery shows actual transformations from our office.
Modern Technology
Digital scans mean fewer adjustments and a snug, comfortable fit from day one. Our in-house 3D printing capability lets us create retainers while you wait, cutting out lab delays and extra fees.
Welcoming Environment
Our bilingual team makes everyone feel at home, whether you speak English or Spanish. We think orthodontic care should be accessible to all Chattanooga families, which is why we offer military discounts, family discounts, and paid-in-full discounts alongside flexible payment plans.
Transparent Communication
No surprises here. We explain costs upfront and work with your insurance to maximize your benefits. You'll always know what to expect before treatment begins. Learn more about our approach on our What Sets Us Apart page.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hear these questions often from new patients and families considering treatment. Here are clear answers to help you make informed decisions about your care.
How much does an orthodontist cost in Chattanooga?
Orthodontic treatment in Chattanooga typically ranges from about $3,000 to $7,000, depending on case complexity and the option you choose. During your free smile exam, we provide a detailed cost breakdown tailored to your specific case. We also offer flexible payment plans, military discounts, family discounts, and assistance with insurance claims to make treatment wallet-friendly for your family.
At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. As an orthodontist for children in Chattanooga, Dr. Aldridge can identify developing issues with jaw growth and tooth alignment at this age. Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment. Often, we simply monitor your child's development and recommend the ideal time to start.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most treatment plans range from twelve to twenty-four months, though some simpler cases finish in as few as six months. Your timeline depends on the complexity of your case and how consistently you follow Dr. Aldridge's recommendations. We'll give you a realistic estimate during your consultation.
Does insurance cover braces or clear aligners?
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that help offset treatment costs. Our team works directly with your insurance provider to verify coverage and maximize your benefits. We'll explain exactly what your plan covers before you commit to treatment. You can also review our financing and insurance options before your visit.
What's the difference between braces and clear aligners?
Great question, and one we hear a lot! Custom braces use brackets bonded to your teeth with wires that gradually shift your smile into alignment. They work around the clock and handle complex cases beautifully. Angel Aligners are removable clear trays you wear twenty to twenty-two hours daily. They're nearly invisible and let you eat whatever you want, taco Tuesday included. Both options deliver excellent results, and Dr. Aldridge helps you choose based on your lifestyle and treatment needs.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! We offer a free smile exam to every new patient. This visit includes digital imaging, a thorough evaluation by Dr. Aldridge, and a complete discussion of your treatment options. There's no obligation and no pressure. It's simply a chance to get expert advice about your smile.
Schedule Your Free Smile Exam Today
Ready to start smiling sooner? Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics makes it easy to take the first step toward the confident smile you deserve.
Book your complimentary free smile exam online or call us at (423) 518-0049. We often have same-week visits available, and our Chattanooga office at 1829 Gunbarrel Rd., #115 offers convenient parking and easy access for families coming from East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Collegedale, and across the greater Chattanooga area.
Dr. Cheryl Aldridge and our friendly team look forward to meeting you. Whether you're exploring options for yourself, your teenager, or your child, we're here to answer your questions and create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Discover what your new smile could look like. Let's get started together.