Dr. Tom Phelan graduated with honors from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1996. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas in 2000. While in dental school, he was elected into the Baylor Odontological Honor Society and Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He was also honored on the Dean's List every year while attending Baylor College of Dentistry. In 2002, Dr. Tom also received his Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master's of Science in Oral Biology from Baylor College of Dentistry.
Dr. Tom is an active member of several professional organizations such as the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southwest Society of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Arkansas State Dental Association, the Central District Dental Society in Arkansas, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Tom and his family live in Little Rock where he joined his father at Phelan Orthodontics in September 2002. He and his wife, Wendy, are members of Fellowship Bible Church. When Dr. Tom is not bending wires and straightening teeth, he enjoys the outdoors, shooting, working land with his tractor, and being involved in his children's sports and activities. Dr. Tom also serves as the Chief Dental Officer for the 189th Airlift Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard.
Trish has been with Phelan Orthodontics since April of 1990 as a Clinical Assistant. She is a wonderful mentor and teacher to our entire team. Trish is the proud mother of a beautiful daughter, two bonus daughters and one bonus son. She and her husband are grandparents to ten grandchildren! Trish enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and the great outdoors.
Terri has been with Phelan Orthodontics since 1997 as a Treatment Coordinator. She is the mother of two daughters, one in high school and one in college. Terri is active in her church and busy being a dance mom and following Arkansas Razorbacks sports with her college kid. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.
Gabby joined Phelan Orthodontics in March of 2002 as a Clinical Assistant and moved to the role of Records Coordinator in 2016. Gabby and her husband have two daughters. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and loving on her fur baby Reese.
Jennifer has been with Phelan Orthodontics since 2010 as a Clinical Assistant. Jennifer brought with her ten years of orthodontic experience when she joined our team. She loves to spend time with her two children. Jennifer loves to laugh and play practical jokes on friends.
Deborah joined Phelan Orthodontics in late 2016 as our Scheduling Coordinator. She brought with her seven years of previous orthodontic experience. Deborah is a wife and mom, but her greatest joy is being Mimi to three grandchildren.
Kay joined our team in 2002 as our Lab Technician. In 2014, she left for a few years, but we are happy to sayshe is back! In January 2017, Kay rejoined our team using her creative lab skills and techniques. When she is not making retainers, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her two grandsons.
Alexia became a Phelan team member in 2018. She was born in Mexico and is fluent in English and Spanish. Alexia loves spending time with her husband and son. She loves horses and performed in horse shows for several years.
Devin joined the Phelan Orthodontic team in July of 2018, and brought with her ten years of orthodontic experience. She and her husband have two wild little boys! One of her favorite things to do is to watch her sons grow up playing baseball. Devin also loves spending time outside and cheering on the Razorback football team!
Lisa has been with Phelan Orthodontics since October 2018. She brings with her 28 years of orthodontic experience. She is knowledgeable in many areas of our office such as patient accounts, insurance, and scheduling. Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and doing anything outdoors.
Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth, and related irregularities in the face and the jaw. We use a number of special treatments, including braces and other oral appliances, to correct these problems.
There are two good reasons: aesthetics and function. Having an attractive smile not only changes the way people see you it enhances your own self-image as well. Orthodontic treatment also allows your teeth to function better and makes it easier to keep them clean, which can improve your overall health.
You're never too old to begin orthodontic treatment but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.
Teeth that are protruding, crowded together or erupting out of position are clear indications that treatment is needed (View Examples). Less obvious signs are mouth breathing, frequent biting of the cheek or palate, speech difficulties, and thumb sucking that goes past 3-4 years of age. If teeth don't meet properly when the mouth closes, or if jaws make sounds or shift as they move, this may also indicate an orthodontic problem.
Having braces put on is generally painless. Some people experience minor aches and pains in the first couple of days or so, as they adjust to wearing their appliances; periodic adjustments may sometimes cause soreness as well, though it typically lasts only a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate any discomfort, but are usually unnecessary.
It's different for each person, but generally the active stage of treatment (that is, wearing braces or other appliances) may take from 6-30 months. After that, a retainer is worn for at least several months more.
If your teeth are severely crowded (because your mouth is too small to properly accommodate all of them) or if you have impacted teeth (teeth that are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth) then extraction may be necessary. In the case of younger patients, early treatment may make extraction unnecessary.
Yes you should pass up the types of foods that could damage or become trapped in your braces. Some of these include raw vegetables, hard candy, caramel, taffy and ice cubes (fortunately, ice cream is OK). We will give you a list of foods to avoid.
In a word: Yes. Of course, whether you wear braces or not, we recommend you wear a mouthguard when playing most sports. Musicians are generally able to play their instruments just as they did before, but they may need a short adjustment period after getting braces.
You do in fact, it's more important than ever! Keeping teeth free of plaque (and potentially, decay) can be challenging when you're wearing braces. Your dentist can help you avoid these problems with frequent cleanings and exams.
Almost always, the answer is yes: If you don't wear a retainer, your teeth can rapidly shift out of position and then all the effort put into your treatment is lost! Your retainer helps you maintain that good-looking smile for a lifetime.
Orthodontic care is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Yet its cost hasn't increased as fast as many other consumer prices, and many financing options are available that make orthodontic care affordable. Weighed against the true cost of living with problem teeth, however, orthodontic treatment can be a wise investment indeed.
Orthodontics for the Older Adult Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as too old for braces. In fact, nowadays about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. Yet this figure represents only a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment... Read Article
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 48 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestBlake Babbs
2 years ago
Dr Phelan is literally and absolutely the best and most talented Orthodontist in the greater Little Rock area. I would go as far as recommending to people from out of state if they didn't mind commuting in for appointments. He is a true professional and a pleasure to work with. He is also a military officer, so his standards of performance are surely very high.
Tyler Chambers
4 years ago
Amazing orthodontist. Always friendly and prompt.
Courtney Bowie
4 years ago
I worked for both doctors and they were the best employers EVER! My son will soon start treatment and I know he will be taken care of 110%! The staff is kind and courteous and always greets you with a smile I highly recommend Phelan Orthodontics.
Kelsey Crane
4 years ago
My family has used Phelan Orthodontics for years! They are the best around and are like family!! Every time you go in to see them it's like going home and seeing your family!! So thankful for all they have done for me over the years! Love this business and the people who work there!
JoJo Kittell
4 years ago
We have been going to Phelan Orthodontics for 5 or 6 years from the initial consultation until after the braces were off. I went to Dr. Phelan when I needed braces when I was a child, so we knew when our son needed orthodontics - Phelan was the only place to go. The staff is amazing and always super friendly. We especially love Jen!!! Thanks again Dr. Tom and staff. You are all awesome!
Laurie Fitzhugh
4 years ago
We LOVE Phelan!!!! I currently have 2 of my 3 kids under their care and we couldn't be happier. The staff from the front desk all the way to Dr. Phelan is the best! Jennifer Gibbs is by far the best assistant there :)
Tyler Chambers
5 years ago
Amazing orthodontist. Always friendly and prompt.
Kelsey Crane
5 years ago
My family has used Phelan Orthodontics for years! They are the best around and are like family!! Every time you go in to see them it's like going home and seeing your family!! So thankful for all they have done for me over the years! Love this business and the people who work there!
Laurie Fitzhugh
5 years ago
We LOVE Phelan!!!! I currently have 2 of my 3 kids under their care and we couldn't be happier. The staff from the front desk all the way to Dr. Phelan is the best! Jennifer Gibbs is by far the best assistant there :)
Holley Little
5 years ago
We love Phelan Orthodontics! Dr. Tom can't be beat! His knowledge and professionalism make him the best Orthodontist in the state, and his fun sense of humor and friendliness always put Olivia at ease. The staff is top-notch and Olivia loves Nikki taking care of her! Phelan Orthodontics always makes us SMILE!
JoJo Kittell
5 years ago
We have been going to Phelan Orthodontics for 5 or 6 years from the initial consultation until after the braces were off. I went to Dr. Phelan when I needed braces when I was a child, so we knew when our son needed orthodontics - Phelan was the only place to go. The staff is amazing and always super friendly. We especially love Jen!!! Thanks again Dr. Tom and staff. You are all awesome!
Courtney Bowie
5 years ago
I worked for both doctors and they were the best employers EVER! My son will soon start treatment and I know he will be taken care of 110%! The staff is kind and courteous and always greets you with a smile I highly recommend Phelan Orthodontics.
ItsAriaHere
5 years ago
So many people have asked about my teeth. I happily tell them I went to Phelan Orthodontics! The staff is so kind and so is Dr. Phelan! The staff members are very helpful and will answer any of your questions. You can call in about your braces bothering you and they are happy to help! They will book you an appointment as soon as they can to get rid of any discomfort. Wire too long poking your gums? No problem, call, ask for an appointment, the next day they'll snip the excess wire off and you'll be good to go! My dad originally heard of Phelan a long time time ago back when he was in high school and heard of these two twins with not the best looking teeth... He asked them where they went and ended up remembering the name "Dr. Phelan." My teeth were so bad and Dr. Phelan did everything he could to make sure I had beautiful teeth. I'm beyond shocked with my own teeth. The transformation is real! The most friendly people you'll ever meet are at Phelan Orthodontics! I just love how everyone feels welcomed and they all have a smile on their face. 2 years of braces was DEFINITELY worth it, I love my Phelan smile
ItsAriaHere
6 years ago
So many people have asked about my teeth. I happily tell them I went to Phelan Orthodontics! The staff is so kind and so is Dr. Phelan! The staff members are very helpful and will answer any of your questions. You can call in about your braces bothering you and they are happy to help! They will book you an appointment as soon as they can to get rid of any discomfort. Wire too long poking your gums? No problem, call, ask for an appointment, the next day they'll snip the excess wire off and you'll be good to go! My dad originally heard of Phelan a long time time ago back when he was in high school and heard of these two twins with not the best looking teeth... He asked them where they went and ended up remembering the name "Dr. Phelan." My teeth were so bad and Dr. Phelan did everything he could to make sure I had beautiful teeth. I'm beyond shocked with my own teeth. The transformation is real! The most friendly people you'll ever meet are at Phelan Orthodontics! I just love how everyone feels welcomed and they all have a smile on their face. 2 years of braces was DEFINITELY worth it, I love my Phelan smile
Shane Wolfe
6 years ago
Positively fantastic the nicest people you'll ever deal with
Kari Persson
6 years ago
Dr. P is a great individual. Every time I went in to have my wires changed or had any problems, the staff was very friendly and nice. I went in with a really crooked front lower tooth and requested that they not pull it. It took almost 3 years, but I have an amazing smile. They really treated me well and I don't think I could have had a better orthodontist. Again the staff is AMAZING! <3 I would recommend to anybody. :)
sheila whitfield
6 years ago
We enjoy our visits because everyone is friendly and fun. I would highly recommend anybody searching for an orthodontist to choose here!
Young K
6 years ago
Dr. Richard Phelan is so knowledgable and kind. My daughter has been his patient since 2015, and we are so happy to be with them! I definitely recommend this place.
Yalonda Butler
6 years ago
My daughter is a patient at Phelan Orthodontics and she loves it there. The staff and doctors are so friendly, welcoming and helpful. There's never a long wait and they get you taken care of with a smile. Very easy to work with concerning the financial side of things and even if you just have questions you want to know about. I'd recommend Phelan Orthodontics to anyone considering their office. You won't be disappointed.
Clay Sutherland
6 years ago
Amazing staff! Dr. Tom is the BEST!
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