One of the most common things I hear from adult patients is surprisingly simple. "My teeth were straight when I was younger...what happened?" Sometimes they had braces as a teenager. Sometimes they never needed orthodontic treatment at all. Either way, they've started noticing something that wasn't there years ago. A lower front tooth overlaps another. A gap has appeared. Their smile doesn't seem as broad as it used to. Or maybe they found an old retainer in a drawer, tried i

When parents bring a child to me because of an underbite, they are often seeing something very obvious but not yet understanding what it means. They notice the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth. They may say the bite looks backwards. Sometimes they have already been told their child has a "Class III" bite. Adults may come in with the same concern, or because they have always disliked their profile, have trouble biting comfortably, or are starting to see unusual wear

Braces for Overbite When parents come to see me about an overbite, they usually think they are asking a fairly simple question. They may say, “Her top teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth,” or “His front teeth stick out,” or “We were told he has a deep bite.” Sometimes an adult says, “I had braces years ago, but my bite still never felt quite right,” or “My dentist says I am wearing down my front teeth.” What many people do not realize is that an overbite is one of the mo

Orthodontic Insurance: What Families Should Know Before Starting Braces or Aligners One of the more confusing parts of starting orthodontic treatment is figuring out what insurance will actually cover. Most families are familiar with dental insurance. They use it for cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and routine dental visits, so it is natural to assume that if a plan includes dental benefits, it must also include orthodontic benefits. But orthodontic insurance works a little diff

Vacations are supposed to be a break from school, work, routines, and busy schedules. They should not feel like a break from orthodontic treatment. Every year, especially around spring break, summer vacation, and the holidays, I see families getting ready to travel and wondering what they need to do differently because their child has braces, aligners, an expander, elastics, or retainers. The good news is that orthodontic treatment usually travels very well. With a little pla

Enlarged Adenoids and Tonsils can affect teeth and have other surprising symptoms When most parents think about enlarged tonsils and adenoids, they usually think about sore throats, strep infections, snoring, or maybe a child who always seems congested. Those are certainly common clues. But in an orthodontic office, enlarged tonsils and adenoids often show up in a much more surprising way. A child may come in because their teeth are crowded. Or because the front teeth are bei

Most parents think about orthodontics in terms of teeth. They notice crowding, crooked front teeth, gaps, or an overbite, and naturally assume the teeth themselves are the main issue. What often surprises them during an orthodontic evaluation is how much time we spend looking at things other than the teeth. We pay close attention to the shape of the jaws, the width of the dental arches, how the lips rest together, how the child breathes, and even where the tongue sits when th

One of the things that surprises parents during an orthodontic consultation is how much time I spend looking at things other than teeth. Of course I pay attention to crowding, spacing, overbites, and crooked teeth. But I also notice how a child breathes, whether their lips comfortably stay together at rest, how they sleep, and sometimes even how they hold their head and posture. Over the years, I have learned that many orthodontic problems are connected to growth patterns tha

When parents hear the word expander in relation to their child's dental care, it can sound intimidating. Most are familiar with braces, but an expander is less common and may seem like a bigger step than it actually is. In reality, palatal expanders are a simple and effective orthodontic tool designed to help children with specific jaw and bite issues. Using an expander at the right time can make a significant difference in your child’s dental development. Why Your Child Migh

Deciding whether your child needs braces can feel confusing. Sometimes a dentist mentions it during a checkup. Other times, you notice something off about your child’s smile or bite. Often, it’s a gut feeling that something isn’t quite right. The challenge is that not every child needs braces immediately, and some may not need them at all. Yet, certain signs tend to point clearly toward orthodontic treatment. This post will help you recognize seven key indicators that suggest

Transforming a smile can be a straightforward process for many patients, but some cases demand much more than traditional orthodontic care. When dental, facial, and oral health challenges are complex—such as cleft palate, severe bite issues, or jaw irregularities—treatment requires a team effort. At Dr. Suzanne M. Dennis Orthodontics in Charlottesville, Virginia, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that brings together experts from various fields to provide com

Getting braces marks an important step toward a healthier, straighter smile. Yet, it also brings new challenges, especially when it comes to eating. If you or your child recently started orthodontic treatment, you might be wondering which foods are safe, which to avoid, and how to enjoy meals without causing discomfort or damaging your braces. This guide offers practical advice to help you navigate eating with braces comfortably while protecting your orthodontic work. Soft fo

When parents think about braces, they often imagine the teenage years. Yet, starting orthodontic care earlier can sometimes prevent more serious problems and make treatment smoother. This early approach is called two-phase orthodontic treatment. It works with your child’s natural growth to improve their smile and jaw development in ways that can be harder to fix later. This post explains what two-phase orthodontic treatment is, why orthodontists recommend it for some children

If you’re searching for braces in Charlottesville, VA, one of the first questions you probably have is: How long will braces take? Whether you’re a parent researching teen braces in Charlottesville or an adult considering treatment for yourself, understanding the braces timeline helps you plan confidently. At Suzanne M. Dennis DDS – Orthodontist, most treatment plans last 12 to 24 months, but your exact timeline depends on your bite, goals, and treatment method. Average Brace

Dr Suzanne Dennis - Orthodontist With the growing popularity of clear aligners, many types of providers now offer tooth straightening services. However, orthodontists complete years of additional specialized training focused exclusively on tooth movement and bite correction. Understanding this difference can have a major impact on treatment results. What Makes Orthodontists Different After dental school, orthodontists complete an additional two to three years of full time spe

Orthodontic technology has advanced dramatically over the past decade, and one of the most exciting innovations is LightForce custom braces. Many parents and adult patients in Charlottesville are now asking how LightForce compares to traditional braces. Traditional braces use standard, one-size-fits-all brackets that are manually positioned on each tooth. While effective, this approach relies heavily on wire adjustments throughout treatment. LightForce braces take a completel

How Much Do Braces Cost in Charlottesville, VA? (Complete 2026 Guide) If you're researching braces in Charlottesville, one of the first questions that naturally comes up is cost. Families want clear expectations before beginning orthodontic care, and understanding typical ranges can help you plan with confidence. The reality is that orthodontic treatment is highly customized. No two smiles — or treatment plans — are exactly the same. However, there are common price ranges in

Clear aligner therapy has transformed orthodontics over the past two decades. What began as a limited cosmetic tool has evolved into a highly sophisticated treatment system capable of correcting many complex cases. Dr. Suzanne Dennis has worked with aligner technology since the early years of Invisalign, giving her a unique long term perspective on how dramatically the system has improved. How Invisalign Has Advanced Early aligner systems were best suited for mild spacing and

Busy families today are looking for healthcare that fits their schedules without sacrificing quality. Dental Monitoring is one of the most important innovations helping orthodontic care become more convenient while maintaining close professional supervision. Using secure smartphone technology, Dental Monitoring allows Dr. Dennis to review tooth movement remotely between visits. How the Process Works Patients use a simple scan device and smartphone app to take periodic images

One of the most common questions parents ask is when their child should first visit an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation by age 7. This may sound early, but the goal is not always to start treatment. Instead, early evaluation allows orthodontists to identify developing problems while the jaw and permanent teeth are still forming. Why Age 7 Matters By around age 7, enough permanent teeth have erupted for an orthodontist to