Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brice Gilliam.
Hi Dr. Brice, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee, which was a pretty small town at the time. I was raised by an incredible mom who taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and believing in yourself. She made a lot of sacrifices to give me opportunities she didn’t necessarily have, and she always encouraged me to pursue whatever I dreamed of doing. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to become the first doctor in our family.
Growing up, I was always a creative kid. I loved drawing, building things, and working with my hands, which I think initially drew me to dentistry. Once I got into dental school and discovered orthodontics, I fell in love with the combination of art and science involved in creating beautiful, healthy smiles.
After completing my orthodontic residency, I spent four years working in a pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice. During that time, I began recognizing a need that wasn’t really being addressed. There were so many adults who wanted to improve their smiles but weren’t necessarily comfortable receiving treatment in an environment designed primarily for children. I started asking myself why adults didn’t have an orthodontic experience created specifically for them.
That idea eventually became Elevation Orthodontics, which I opened in Nashville in late 2019. Of course, the timing couldn’t have been much more interesting! Just a few months after opening, Nashville was hit by a devastating tornado, followed almost immediately by COVID. It was certainly a challenging introduction to business ownership, but those experiences taught me a lot about perseverance, leadership, and adaptability.
Today, Elevation Orthodontics is a premier practice dedicated exclusively to adults. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, especially the team we’ve assembled and the relationships we’ve developed with our patients, along with the impact to our community and the orthodontic profession.
I owe so much of where I am today to God’s grace, the unwavering support of my wife, Brooke, my mom, and countless people who have encouraged and invested in me along the way. I feel incredibly fortunate to do something I genuinely love, and as proud as I am of how far we’ve come, I really believe we’re just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t know that there’s ever a completely smooth road when you’re building something from the ground up, and mine certainly hasn’t been!
I opened Elevation Orthodontics in late 2019, and we were off to an incredible start. There was a lot of excitement, we were gaining momentum, and I was finally seeing this vision I’d worked toward become a reality. Then, just a few months later, Nashville was hit by a devastating tornado. Our building suffered damage, and downed power lines forced us to close for 28 days. We finally reopened, saw patients for two days, and then COVID hit, forcing us to close again for another six weeks.
You can imagine how challenging that was for a brand-new practice with significant financial commitments and very little opportunity to generate revenue. There were definitely moments of uncertainty, but looking back, that experience taught me more about perseverance, adaptability, and leadership than I probably could have learned any other way.
Beyond those early challenges, one of the biggest obstacles has actually been changing people’s perceptions of who orthodontic treatment is for. For generations, orthodontics has been associated primarily with children and teenagers. I can’t tell you how many adults I’ve met who assume they’ve missed their opportunity to straighten their teeth simply because they’re no longer in middle school or high school. Somewhere along the way, we’ve created this perception that orthodontic treatment has an age limit, and I couldn’t disagree more.
What I want people to understand is that orthodontics isn’t just about getting braces as a teenager. It’s about improving dental health, function, and confidence, and those things matter at every stage of life. I’ve met adults who have spent decades feeling self-conscious about their smiles, people who had braces years ago and experienced shifting, and others who are finally in a position to invest in themselves. Why should any of those individuals feel like orthodontic treatment isn’t meant for them?
That’s really been one of my biggest missions with Elevation Orthodontics. I didn’t want to simply create an office that accepts adult patients. I wanted to build a practice that was specifically designed for them, where they feel comfortable, understood, and genuinely excited about improving their smiles. Changing a mindset that has existed for decades doesn’t happen overnight, but every adult who walks through our doors gives us another opportunity to challenge that perception.
I’m incredibly grateful for the successes we’ve experienced, but I’m equally grateful for the difficult seasons. They’ve shaped the way I approach challenges and strengthened my belief in what we’re building. I still feel like we have a lot of work to do, but that’s also what makes this journey so exciting.
We’ve been impressed with Elevation Orthodontic, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Elevation Orthodontics is a boutique orthodontic practice in Nashville dedicated exclusively to adults. We specialize in creating beautiful, healthy smiles through modern orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign and other discreet treatment options. But what really makes us different isn’t necessarily what we do, it’s how and why we do it.
When I started Elevation, I wanted to rethink the traditional orthodontic experience from the perspective of an adult. Adults have careers, families, responsibilities, and busy schedules. They want great results, but they also want convenience, flexibility, and treatment options that fit their lifestyles. So we built our entire practice around those needs.
We offer extended evening hours, Friday appointments, advanced digital technology, and virtual visits that help reduce the amount of time patients have to spend in the office. We also focus heavily on aesthetic treatment options, including Invisalign and lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth. Our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as convenient, comfortable, and discreet as possible without compromising the quality of care.
I think something else that sets us apart is our understanding of the adult patient. We’re not just treating crooked teeth. We’re treating people who may have had braces years ago and experienced some shifting, adults who never had the opportunity for treatment growing up, or someone who simply wants to feel more confident in their smile. Every patient has a different story, different priorities, and different goals, and we try to be intentional about recognizing that.
One thing I’m particularly proud of is the experience we’ve created. I wanted Elevation to feel different from the moment someone walks through our doors. Our office is modern and welcoming, but more importantly, our team genuinely enjoys taking care of people. We place a tremendous amount of emphasis on relationships, communication, and making patients feel valued. I never want someone to feel like they’re just another appointment on the schedule.
Brand-wise, I’m probably most proud of the fact that we’ve remained committed to our original vision. We set out to create an orthodontic practice designed specifically for adults, and that philosophy continues to guide nearly every decision we make. From the way we schedule appointments to the technology we invest in and the experience we provide, it all comes back to respecting our patients’ time and understanding their needs.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that orthodontics isn’t just for kids, and improving your smile doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. Whether you’re 25, 45, or 65, you deserve to feel confident in your smile and have access to treatment that fits your life.
That’s really what Elevation Orthodontics is all about. We’re proud of the smiles we create, but even more than that, we’re proud of the people we get to create them for.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think my perspective on risk has evolved over the years. I’ve learned that taking a risk doesn’t mean being fearless. It means being willing to move forward even when you don’t have every answer. I believe in surrounding myself with smart people, seeking good advice, being financially responsible, and making thoughtful decisions. My faith also plays an important role in how I approach uncertainty.
I’ve also come to realize that there’s risk in playing it safe. Sometimes the opportunities we don’t pursue are the ones we end up regretting the most.
I certainly haven’t gotten every decision right, and I’m sure there will be more lessons along the way. But when I look at the opportunities I’ve taken, even the ones that came with challenges, I’m grateful I had the courage to pursue them. I would much rather look back knowing I gave something my best effort than wonder what might have happened if I’d tried
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevationorthodontics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationorthodontics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationorthodontics/
