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

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

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

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

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