Searching for a kids orthodontist in Nashville can feel overwhelming. The metro area offers dozens of options, from large corporate practices with multiple locations to small offices where one doctor handles everything. Some practices focus primarily on adults and treat children as an afterthought. Others specialize in pediatric care but may lack the expertise to handle complex cases. How do you sort through the options and find someone who will genuinely serve your child well?
The stakes feel real because they are. Orthodontic treatment shapes your child’s smile for life. The experience itself, spanning months or years of regular appointments, affects how your child views healthcare and their own self-image. A positive orthodontic journey builds confidence. A negative one can leave lasting impressions that extend beyond the teeth themselves.
Finding the right children’s orthodontist in Nashville means looking beyond convenient location and accepting that quality matters more than marketing. The best orthodontist for your child combines clinical expertise with genuine warmth, explains things clearly without condescension, and sees your child as a developing person rather than a set of teeth requiring correction. At McClaran Orthodontics, we’ve built our practice around these principles, serving Nashville area families with the care we’d want for our own children.
What Is a Pediatric Orthodontist?
Understanding what distinguishes orthodontists helps you evaluate your options more effectively.
All orthodontists are dentists who completed additional specialized training after dental school. This residency program, lasting two to three years, focuses exclusively on tooth movement, bite correction, jaw development, and facial growth. The depth of this training is what separates orthodontists from general dentists who may offer some orthodontic services.
The American Association of Orthodontists represents specialists who have completed accredited residency programs. Only dentists who have finished this additional training can call themselves orthodontists. General dentists may legally provide some orthodontic treatment, but they haven’t completed the same specialized education.
A pediatric-focused orthodontist takes this expertise and applies it specifically to growing patients. Children aren’t simply small adults. Their jaws are actively developing, their teeth are erupting in sequences that affect treatment timing, and their psychology requires different communication approaches than adult patients need. An orthodontist who primarily treats children develops instincts and skills that come only from years of focused experience with young patients.
Some orthodontists further pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, a voluntary credential requiring written and clinical examinations plus case presentations for peer review. Board certification demonstrates commitment to excellence beyond the minimum requirements for practice.
At McClaran Orthodontics, children are at the center of our practice. While we treat patients of all ages, our particular passion and expertise lies in helping kids develop healthy smiles during their crucial growth years. Dr. McClaran’s experience with pediatric patients informs everything from how we design our office to how we communicate with families.
Why Choose a Kids-Focused Orthodontist?
Treating children requires capabilities that go beyond technical orthodontic skill.
Growth awareness distinguishes pediatric-focused orthodontists. Children’s jaws are actively developing throughout treatment, and that growth affects everything. Timing of intervention matters enormously. A narrow palate identified at age seven can be expanded while the midpalatal suture remains open. Wait until fifteen, and the same expansion may require surgical assistance. A crossbite corrected during the growth years prevents asymmetric development. Addressed after growth stops, the asymmetry may already be built into bone structure.
Orthodontists who see primarily adults may not think about growth the same way because adult patients don’t have growth to consider. An orthodontist immersed in pediatric care thinks constantly about developmental windows, optimal timing, and how today’s intervention affects tomorrow’s growth.
Age-appropriate communication makes treatment smoother and less stressful. Children need explanations pitched to their developmental level. A seven-year-old and a fourteen-year-old require different approaches. Kids-focused orthodontists develop instincts for connecting with young patients, reducing anxiety, and building cooperation. They know how to make orthodontic visits feel safe rather than scary.
Patience and warmth matter when patients are still developing emotionally as well as physically. Children have bad days. They get nervous. They sometimes don’t cooperate. An orthodontist who genuinely enjoys working with kids navigates these situations with grace rather than frustration. The resulting experience feels supportive rather than clinical.
Prevention focus characterizes orthodontists who think about childhood development holistically. Issues like mouth breathing, thumb sucking effects, and snoring connect to jaw development in ways that affect orthodontic outcomes and overall health. An orthodontist attuned to these patterns catches problems early and addresses root causes rather than just straightening whatever teeth present themselves.
Meet Dr. McClaran
Dr. McClaran brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to pediatric orthodontic care.
His clinical training provided the technical foundation every orthodontist needs: understanding of tooth movement, bite correction, jaw development, and treatment mechanics. Years of practice refined those skills through thousands of patient interactions. Continuing education keeps him current with advances in techniques and materials.
But what shapes his approach most profoundly is being a father of four. Raising children changes how you see pediatric healthcare. You understand the worry parents carry into appointments. You know how much it matters that your child feels safe and respected. You recognize that families need clear information delivered without jargon or pressure.
Dr. McClaran treats every patient the way he’d want his own children treated. He takes time to explain what he sees and why he recommends what he recommends. He welcomes questions and answers them thoroughly. He doesn’t rush through appointments or dismiss concerns as unimportant. The relationship he builds with families reflects genuine care, not just professional obligation.
His clinical philosophy emphasizes understanding root causes. If a child has crowded teeth, the question isn’t just how to straighten them but why they’re crowded. Often the answer involves jaw development. A palate expander that addresses underlying width issues produces better results than braces alone ever could. This comprehensive thinking leads to treatment plans that solve problems rather than masking them.
Our Approach to Children’s Orthodontics
Several principles guide how we care for Nashville area children at McClaran Orthodontics.
Early evaluation allows us to identify developing issues while intervention remains simplest. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This doesn’t mean treatment at seven for everyone. Many children we evaluate are simply monitored until the optimal time arrives. But when early treatment would benefit a child, catching that opportunity requires early assessment.
Growth-guided treatment works with your child’s natural development rather than fighting against established patterns. The jaws are most responsive to guidance during childhood. Expansion, bite correction, and jaw positioning all proceed more easily and comfortably while growth remains active. Our treatment timing accounts for these biological realities.
Airway-focused care reflects growing understanding of how jaw development affects breathing and sleep. Research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews has documented connections between craniofacial structure and sleep disordered breathing. A narrow upper jaw restricts nasal airway space. Poor jaw development can position the tongue where it obstructs breathing during sleep. When we expand palates or guide jaw growth, we’re creating space for air as well as teeth. Parents often report improvements in their child’s breathing and sleep quality following treatment.
Comprehensive treatment options ensure each child receives the approach that fits their specific needs. Traditional braces remain excellent for complex cases and younger patients. Clear aligners work well for appropriate candidates with the maturity for compliance. Palate expanders address jaw width that aligners and braces cannot change. We help families understand which options suit their child and why.
Family-first values shape every aspect of our practice. We respect your time by running on schedule. We communicate clearly so you always understand what’s happening. We offer flexible payment options because finances shouldn’t prevent children from receiving needed care. We build our schedule around school hours when possible. The practical realities of family life matter to us because we live them too.
Comparing Orthodontic Practice Types
| Factor | Large Chain Practice | Adult-Focused Practice | Kids-Focused Practice (McClaran) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor continuity | May rotate providers | Consistent | Always see Dr. McClaran |
| Pediatric experience | Varies widely | Limited | Extensive; primary focus |
| Early treatment philosophy | Varies | Often deferred | Emphasized when beneficial |
| Growth consideration | May be secondary | Limited relevance | Central to treatment planning |
| Airway evaluation | Often not assessed | Rarely assessed | Standard part of evaluation |
| Communication style | May feel corporate | Geared toward adults | Child and family centered |
| Office atmosphere | Varies | Professional/adult | Warm and kid-friendly |
| Appointment pacing | Often rushed | Varies | Adequate time allocated |
Different families prioritize different factors. This comparison helps clarify what distinguishes practice types so you can choose what matters most to you.
What Your Child’s Experience Will Be Like
We’ve designed our practice with kids in mind, recognizing that the experience matters as much as the clinical outcome.
A welcoming environment greets your family from the first moment. Our office feels comfortable rather than clinical. Kids don’t sense the anxiety that sometimes accompanies medical settings. The atmosphere helps nervous patients relax and gives everyone a positive association with orthodontic visits.
Gentle, patient care characterizes every appointment. Our team genuinely likes kids and it shows. We explain what we’re doing in terms children understand. We check in about comfort and adjust when something isn’t working. We celebrate progress and encourage patients who are struggling. The goal is making each visit a good experience, not just getting through procedures efficiently.
Clear communication for parents ensures you always know what’s happening with your child’s treatment. We explain findings, recommendations, and progress in language that makes sense. Questions are welcomed and answered thoroughly. You’re a partner in your child’s care, not a passive observer.
Respect for your child’s autonomy means we involve them appropriately in their own treatment. Older kids participate in discussions about options. We explain to patients what we’re doing and why, even when they’re young. Building this engagement helps kids take ownership of their orthodontic health.
The first orthodontist visit sets the tone for everything that follows. We make that initial experience comfortable and informative. Your child leaves knowing the orthodontic office isn’t a scary place. You leave with clear understanding of your child’s development and what, if anything, needs to happen.
Serving Nashville Area Families
McClaran Orthodontics serves families throughout the greater Nashville area, with patients coming from communities across Middle Tennessee.
Our location provides convenient access for families in Nolensville, Franklin, Brentwood, and surrounding areas. Parents commuting from Nashville proper find us accessible as well. We’ve designed our scheduling to accommodate families traveling from various directions, offering appointment times that work with different commute patterns.
Many Nashville families initially consider practices closer to home or work before discovering that the drive to a practice aligned with their values is worth the extra few minutes. Quality of care and the treatment experience matter more than shaving five minutes off the commute, especially for a relationship that spans months or years of regular visits.
We also see patients whose families tried other practices first and weren’t satisfied. Sometimes the issue was communication that felt rushed or confusing. Sometimes it was a treatment recommendation that didn’t account for growth and timing. Sometimes it was simply an atmosphere that didn’t feel right. These families find what they were looking for when they arrive at McClaran Orthodontics.
Word of mouth drives much of our growth. Parents talk to other parents. When a family has a positive experience with us, they mention it to neighbors, friends, and colleagues. These personal recommendations mean more than any advertising because they reflect genuine satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Orthodontics in Nashville
What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists specialize in general dental care for children, handling cleanings, fillings, and overall oral health. Orthodontists specialize in tooth alignment, bite correction, and jaw development. Your child likely needs both: a pediatric dentist for routine dental care and an orthodontist when alignment or bite issues require attention. The two specialists complement each other and often coordinate care.
At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation by age seven. This allows the orthodontist to assess development while significant growth remains ahead. Early evaluation doesn’t mean early treatment for everyone; many children are simply monitored until the optimal time. But catching issues early, when intervention is simplest, requires early assessment.
How do I know if my child needs orthodontic treatment?
Common signs include crowded or overlapping teeth, gaps between teeth, teeth that don’t meet properly when biting, difficulty chewing, mouth breathing, and visible bite problems like overbite or underbite. However, some issues aren’t visible to untrained eyes. Professional evaluation provides certainty about whether treatment is needed.
Will my child need braces or can they use Invisalign?
It depends on the specific orthodontic issues, your child’s age, and their responsibility level. Both braces and clear aligners work well for appropriate cases. Braces handle complex situations more predictably and don’t require compliance decisions from the patient. Aligners offer aesthetics and convenience but only work when worn consistently. We help families understand which option fits their situation.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
Costs vary based on treatment complexity and duration. During your complimentary consultation, we provide specific estimates for your child’s needs. We work with insurance plans that include orthodontic coverage and offer interest-free financing to make treatment accessible. Many families find that spreading payments over time makes orthodontic care fit comfortably into their budget.
Do you accept my insurance?
We work with most dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits. Our team verifies your coverage before treatment begins and helps you understand exactly what your plan covers. We handle insurance paperwork so you don’t have to navigate the process alone.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Finding the right pediatric orthodontist in Nashville means finding someone who will care for your child with expertise and genuine warmth. At McClaran Orthodontics, we offer both.
Your complimentary consultation includes thorough evaluation of your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw development. Dr. McClaran explains what he observes in clear language, answers your questions completely, and provides honest recommendations. If treatment is needed, you’ll understand exactly why and what it involves. If treatment isn’t needed yet, we’ll tell you what we’re monitoring and when to return.
You’ll leave the consultation with clear information and no pressure. We want you to feel confident in whatever decision you make about your child’s care.
We’ve helped thousands of Nashville area families navigate their children’s orthodontic needs. We’d be honored to help yours. Schedule your appointment and take the first step toward understanding your child’s smile.