The Tennison Smile: Personalized by Tennison Orthodontics
No two people are exactly alike, so Dr. Tennison doesn’t believe their smiles should be either. The Tennison Smile is our approach to creating a smile that complements the individual while balancing beautiful aesthetics with a healthy, functional bite.
Whether your treatment involves braces or clear aligners, every plan is customized around your smile, needs, and goals. Rather than designing every smile around the same ideal, we consider the details that make a smile look natural for you, because the best finished smile should still feel unmistakably yours.
What Defines a Tennison Smile?
A Tennison Smile isn’t defined by one measurement or a one-size-fits-all formula. Dr. Tennison evaluates each smile individually, paying close attention to details such as the incisal display (how much of the upper front teeth show when you smile) and the smile arc (the curve created by the biting edges of your upper front teeth).
Ideally, Dr. Tennison likes the smile arc to complement the natural curve of the lower lip. He also considers whether the amount of visible tooth structure creates a balanced, youthful appearance rather than making the teeth look flattened or worn.
Alignment also matters, which is why crowding and unwanted spaces are addressed as part of creating a balanced finished smile. However, aesthetics are only part of the picture; Dr. Tennison is equally attentive to occlusion, or the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
As Dr. Tennison explains, a smile that looks beautiful but leaves the teeth in a position that could contribute to unnecessary wear or jaw problems isn’t the result he wants for the person in his chair.
How We Create a Tennison Smile
Creating a Tennison Smile starts with understanding the person behind it. Dr. Tennison considers your existing tooth positions, bite, facial and smile characteristics, and treatment needs before determining how orthodontic treatment can bring those elements into better balance.
The treatment itself may look different from one patient to another. Tennison Orthodontics offers LightForce Custom Braces, which use digitally planned, 3D-printed brackets customized to the individual patient’s teeth. For patients who prefer removable treatment and are appropriate candidates, we also offer Angel Clear Aligners.
Whichever approach is used, the treatment plan is guided by the same destination: a smile intentionally designed around the individual, with attention to both appearance and function.
See the Tennison Smile in Real Life
The Tennison Smile isn’t about making every patient look the same. It’s about seeing how personalized treatment with braces or clear aligners and thoughtful orthodontic planning can bring balance to a variety of unique smiles.
Traditional Metal Braces
Clear Aligners
Traditional Metal Braces
Clear Aligners
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
LightForce Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Lightforce Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Visit our Reviews page to hear directly from patients and families about their Tennison Orthodontics smile journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tennison Smile
No. The Tennison Smile is Dr. Tennison’s approach to planning and evaluating a finished smile, not a separate appliance or treatment. Depending on your individual needs, that approach may guide treatment with LightForce Custom Braces, Angel Aligners, or another appropriate orthodontic option.
There is no separate “Tennison Smile” treatment to purchase. Because orthodontic treatment is customized for each patient, costs depend on your individual treatment needs and the treatment option recommended. Our team will review costs, insurance benefits, and available payment options with you before you begin.
The philosophy behind the Tennison Smile is individualized by design. Rather than trying to give every patient the same smile, Dr. Tennison evaluates what will work for that person’s teeth, bite, and natural smile characteristics. Your consultation helps us determine whether orthodontic treatment is appropriate and what approach makes sense for your individual needs.
Discover What Your Tennison Smile Could Look Like
Your Tennison Smile starts with getting to know you. Schedule a free consultation and discover a personalized approach to a smile designed around you.