Brentwood
Belle Meade
Nolensville
Berry Farms

Meet Our Tennessee Orthodontists

Four doctors united in their approach and values.

Dr. Jon Lucas
"Experience orthodontics with a personal touch."
Dr. Jon Lucas, our owner smiling and wearing a shirt

A bio with a twist…credentials of course, but more personal information for a “personal touch”. My wife’s name is Anne. We have three children: Olivia (born 2007), Jonathan (born 2009), and Katherine (born 2011).

I attended the University of Mississippi and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in biological sciences and a minor in Chemistry. I attended the University of Tennessee-Memphis for Dental School where I graduated in the top 10% of my class. To round out my SEC schools, I attended my orthodontic residency at the Vanderbilt Orthodontic Center where I served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics.

I initially opened my orthodontic office in Brentwood in October of 2001. I currently practice in Brentwood, off Moores Lane, and in Belle Meade across from Kroger. Our practices have the distinction of being on the top list of Invisalign® providers in Tennessee.

“I always like to add a ‘personal touch’ when caring for our patients.”

I am a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Tennessee Association of Orthodontics, The Southern Association of Orthodontics, Tennessee Dental Association, American Dental Association, Nashville Dental Society, Millennium Study Club, and recently lead a Spear Study Club. Additionally, I serve on the board of Daystar.

Dr. Jon Lucas, our owner smiling outside

On a less serious note, but more personal note: Other things I love and enjoy: my wife, my kids, my mother and father, my job, my staff, running, marathons (most notable: Boston Marathon), biking, triathlons (Notice I did not include swimming…trying to learn to love it!), seeing old friends, making new friends, Ole Miss, the Grove, my in-laws (seriously), brother and his spouse, sister and her family, my God, our church, sweet tea, chocolate chip cookies, fruit, steak (med. rare to rare), fried chicken (although I don’t eat much), the beach, seafood gumbo, a little singing in the office, dancing (and trust me, UNINHIBITED!), Newton, Mississippi (hometown), Neshoba County Fair (look it up), my fair cousins (Stubbs & Tannehills), football, baseball, basketball, Predators, Titans, all genres of music (of course country!), Lightning 100, Nashville, TN, Alpine Camp for Boys, mowing my grass, Ponte Vedra, holidays, Chicago Cubs, the thought of running an ironman (3 young kids…that’ll have to wait), pound cake slightly under cooked, taking trips with my family, taking trips alone with Anne (my wife), laughing a lot, out loud and often…”The practice of orthodontics”, the art of creating beautiful smiles and the many wonderful relationships I am able to develop with the patients and families I treat.

A collage of our Tennessee orthodontists
Orthodontists Close to the Heart of Our Communities
Read our real patient stories.

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Love this orthodontist! Went for a consultation and got braces put on the same day. Lovely environment and very nice, caring, funny, and amazing staff.

Sarah R. (Columbia Patient)

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As a healthcare provider and mother of two, I have been nothing but impressed with Dr. Lucas and his entire team at the Belle Meade office. Knowledgeable, welcoming, and FUN!

Margaret S. (Belle Meade Patient)

Dr. Kate Schessler
Headshot of Dr. Kate Schessler

I was born and raised in Charleston, WV. Fun fact, I grew up on the same street as actress Jennifer Garner. Growing up, I loved playing sports and doing anything outside. I come from a huge family of rabid Steelers fans and am not shy about it, sorry Titans fans.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at West Virginia University – Go Mountaineers! During college, I tutored students in chemistry, became a certified service dog trainer, and dabbled in floral design.

After college, I stayed at WVU to get my DDS. During dental school, I developed a love for orthodontics after shadowing in the ortho clinic at the school and at private practices. My passion for it led me to the University of Louisville, where I completed my orthodontics residency.

My fiancé, Connor, and I got engaged in February 2021 after dating for almost EIGHT years! We adopted our “quarantine” puppy, Musket, in October 2020.

In my free time, I love hiking around different parks with Connor and Musket, spending time with friends, crafting, and running. I’ve done 9 half marathons and counting!

Dr. Amelia Lindsey
Headshot of Dr. Amelia Lindsey

I grew up in the small town of Camden, Arkansas. While most of my summers were spent riding four wheelers in the mud and going camping, I also traveled a lot with my family and developed a desire to see the world.

With my father being an oral surgeon and an influential figure in my life, I knew early on I wanted to go into dentistry as a career. After attending college in another small town at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, I ventured out to a bigger city for dental school. I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University Of Tennessee College Of Dentistry in Memphis, TN. While in Memphis, I developed an interest and passion for orthodontics.

I completed a 3 year Orthodontic program at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I received a certificate in Orthodontics and a Masters of Science in Dentistry.

Headshot of Dr. Amelia Lindsey

My fiancé, Danny, is also in the dental field and works as an endodontist in Belle Meade. We recently moved to Nashville and are enjoying exploring our new neighborhood. We have a fluffy, flat faced cat named Gouda that keeps us laughing and covered in white fur!

In my free time I love trying new restaurants, spending time with my niece and family, reading comic books, watching reality TV, and traveling. Send your honeymoon destination recommendations our way!

Dr. Ashley Roark
"Improving your smile is always worth it."
Dr. Ashley Roark smiling outdoors

I grew up in Middlesboro, KY, located in the Cumberland Gap. My hometown is one of the few cities in the US built inside of a meteorite crater!

I moved to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky, where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in biology. Although I love my Kentucky Wildcats, I chose to attend the University of Louisville for dental school.

After graduating, I moved to East Nashville with my husband and two dogs and practiced as a general dentist for three years. During that time, I gained a new appreciation for orthodontics and aspired to become a specialist.

I completed a 3-year program at Montefiore Hospital in New York City, where I received my orthodontics certificate.

My husband, Brian, and I recently welcomed home our daughter, Margot, and we couldn’t be happier!

In my spare time, I enjoy eating, traveling, hiking, skiing, spending time with family and friends, and karaoke (even though I can’t carry a tune).

Dr. Kayla Carr
Dr. Carr smiling

I was raised in Bardstown, KY, a small town known for its numerous bourbon distilleries. I grew up doing gymnastics and was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Auburn University (unfortunately, I tore my ACL on ESPN my junior year). While attending Auburn, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science and competed on the Varsity Gymnastics Team.

After undergrad, I attended dental school at the University of Louisville and graduated top of my class, obtaining a Doctorate Degree in Dental Medicine. After spending time shadowing in the orthodontic clinic, I decided to dedicate myself entirely to the specialty of orthodontics, completing an additional two years of orthodontic training while serving as the class president of the residency program at the University of Louisville.

My husband, Chris, and I met in 2010 and had a long-distance relationship until we got married in 2015 and I moved to Nashville to be with him. My greatest accomplishment is being a mommy to my three little blessings: Brooks (born in 2017), Marielle (born in 2018), and Lillian (born in 2020). I love spending time with them and watching them grow and learn.

In my free time, I enjoy exercising, knitting/crocheting, crafting, reading, learning, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Portrait of Dr. Kayla Carr
Dr. Britta Ristau
Dr. Britta Ristau smiling outdoors

I was born and raised in Middle Tennessee and moved to the Brentwood area at the age of thirteen. I went to school just down the road at Brentwood Academy where I was involved in everything from cross country to mathletes to the leadership team.

My Middle Tennessee roots led me to Vanderbilt University for college where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Fun fact, my favorite college class was actually a pottery-making class!

After undergrad, I moved to Memphis to attend the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Although I am a Tennessee girl through and through, I decided to change it up for my orthodontic residency program and move to New Orleans to train at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. I spent two years in New Orleans and received a certificate in Orthodontics and a Masters of Science in Dentistry while taking in all the food, music, and culture the city has to offer.

When I’m not working, I love listening to live music, playing games, crafting, and spending time with my fiancé and friends!

Working for Your Smile

Your family is in the best hands at any of our five convenient locations in Tennessee.