CHARLOTTESVILLE · SINCE 1998
Dr. Dennis looks beyond straight teeth to the bite, facial balance, growth, airway clues, and the person living with the treatment. That broader view helps her know when to treat, which tools fit, and when the smartest recommendation is to wait. Every plan is shaped by experience and explained clearly.
CARE, BY CHAPTER
Children are not small adults. Their teeth are arriving while their jaws, breathing patterns, habits, and confidence are still developing. Dr. Dennis looks at all of it before deciding whether the right next step is treatment or simply watching growth. An early orthodontic evaluation does not automatically mean early braces. Sometimes it identifies a narrow arch, crossbite, underbite, airway clue, or space problem that is easier to address while a child is growing. Often it gives a family reassurance and a sensible observation plan. When the adolescent years arrive, Dr. Dennis can choose from modern metal braces, custom LightForce braces, or clear aligners according to the bite, maturity, and needs of the individual child.
Talk with us about your child →Adults come to us for many reasons: teeth that shifted after earlier braces, a bite that never felt right, wear or crowding noticed by a dentist, or the simple wish to smile more confidently. The first job is understanding what changed and what a worthwhile result looks like now. Adult treatment may be a limited aligner correction, comprehensive braces or aligners, preparation for restorative dentistry, or coordination with other specialists for a complex bite. Existing crowns, gum health, facial balance, and long-term stability all matter. Dr. Dennis has decades of experience explaining the possibilities honestly—including when a smaller treatment is enough and when a more complete approach will protect the result.
Explore adult treatment →Traditional brackets use a standard prescription. LightForce begins with a digital scan and creates 3D-printed brackets shaped for the individual teeth and treatment plan. They are clear, precise, and far less visually prominent than the braces many adults remember. Customization gives Dr. Dennis another level of control over bracket placement and planned tooth movement. It can make appointments more efficient and may reduce the number of adjustments needed, but the technology is not the orthodontist: diagnosis, planning, and careful supervision still determine the result. When useful, phone-based progress scans help the office see how treatment is tracking between in-person visits.
Ask whether LightForce fits →Clear aligners can straighten teeth and correct many bites without brackets or wires. They are removable for meals and brushing, discreet in photographs, and often a natural fit for responsible teens and adults who want treatment to blend into daily life. Dr. Dennis has worked with aligner therapy since its early years. That experience matters because the digital setup is only a starting point; an orthodontist must decide how teeth should move, whether aligners can predictably achieve it, and when braces or a combined approach would be better. 3M Clarity aligners use different materials for different stages of movement, and optional remote scans can add convenient oversight between office visits.
Ask whether aligners fit →PATIENT VOICES
Patient voiceHer knowledge, skill and organization have been beyond valuable to me and the entire team involved.
BridgetAdult surgical patient
Patient voiceI never felt I was being ‘up-sold’ on anything and always felt like I was a top priority.
MollyAdult patient
★★★★★Patient voiceVery helpful, welcoming, comfortable office. Answered all my questions and the questions I didn’t ask.
Verified patientWebMD review
Charlottesville orthodontist since 1998SUZANNE M. DENNIS, DDS, MS
Dr. Dennis has practiced in Charlottesville since 1998 and has treated more than 15,000 patients. She was an early adopter of Invisalign, but she has never confused new technology with good judgment. Her job is to explain what is happening, what can wait, and which treatment can create a healthy, stable result.
Read Dr. Dennis’s storyTHE WOMEN BEHIND THE WORK
We are women, mothers, and experienced professionals who know our patients by name. The person answering your question today is part of the same close-knit team caring for your family tomorrow.
Orthodontic Assistant
Billing Coordinator
Orthodontic Assistant
Treatment Coordinator
A COMPLIMENTARY FIRST VISIT
Dr. Dennis will listen to what concerns you, examine the smile and bite, and explain whether treatment would help now—or whether watching and waiting makes more sense. If treatment is recommended, you will understand the options before making a decision.
Request your evaluation →