Meet Dr. James T. Pickering
Dr. Jim Pickering’s journey into orthodontics began with an unexpected twist—a baseball accident as a teenager that severely damaged his smile. Through orthodontic treatment, he experienced firsthand the life-changing impact a healthy, confident smile can have. That experience sparked a passion that would eventually become a lifelong career helping others transform their own lives through orthodontics.
Since opening his practice in 1995, Dr. Pickering has been dedicated to creating beautiful smiles while building lasting relationships with the families he serves. For more than 30 years, he has had the privilege of treating generations of East Tennessee families, watching shy smiles become confident ones and patients grow into adults who return with children of their own.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee in both Knoxville and Memphis, as well as Vanderbilt University, Dr. Pickering remains committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic care through continuing education and professional involvement. While technology and techniques have evolved over the years, his mission has remained the same: to provide exceptional care while treating every patient with compassion, respect, and genuine interest in their lives.
Faith is at the center of everything Dr. Pickering does. He believes that every patient who walks through the door is uniquely created and deserving of care, kindness, and dignity. As he often says, he strives to see the face of God in every patient he serves.
Beyond the office, Dr. Pickering is passionate about giving back to the community. He has served as an orthodontic consultant for local cleft lip and palate teams and regularly shares his knowledge with healthcare professionals, students, and community organizations throughout East Tennessee.
When he’s not creating smiles, you’ll likely find him cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers, traveling with his wife Stephanie, hiking with their dogs Daisy and Winston, or enjoying a match on the tennis court. Family remains one of his greatest joys, and he is proud of his children, Suzanna and Walter, who are each pursuing careers and passions of their own.
For Dr. Pickering, orthodontics has always been about more than straight teeth. It’s about building confidence, forming meaningful relationships, and helping people smile a little bigger every day.
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