Growing up in the small town of Cromwell, Oklahoma, Tim Shannon planned to become an engineer, like his best friend’s father. Instead, however, he would find himself in a different type of professional career—one where he literally leaves people smiling.
On Oct. 1 of this year, Dr. Shannon celebrated his 25th year in practice with Orthodontics Exclusively of Norman, one of the largest specialty practices in Oklahoma.
Together with partner Drs. Mark Revels and Gaby Restuccia, they provide an extensive range of orthodontic services to patients of all ages.
They’re also highly visible in the community, giving to a very broad spectrum of charitable organizations, schools and civic groups.
Shannon and his wife, Tish (a dental hygienist), met in dental school at the University of Oklahoma, and this year celebrated their 20th anniversary. The couple knew from early on that they wanted to live in Norman, and in 1998 Shannon had the opportunity to join Dr. Dow Miller, who had established the first orthodontic practice in Norman 40 years prior. A year later Miller retired, and shortly after Shannon invited Revels and then later Restuccia to join the practice.
Orthodontics Exclusively has grown exponentially since that time and has created more than 20,000 beautiful smiles.
To celebrate his 25th anniversary professional milestone, Dr. Shannon and his team are going to donate free orthodontic care to 12 patients over the next year as a “thank you” to the surrounding community.
Shannon also celebrated with a special dinner at Benvenuti’s Ristorante, which is one of his family’s favorites. (See accompanying Chilean sea bass recipe and cover photo.)
Shannon’s service to others began with service to his country. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve program as a junior in high school and left for boot camp only four days after graduating. (He served as class valedictorian.) While he remained active in the Reserves, he would end up switching career paths and graduating with distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
“I had anticipated a different path, but when I found orthodontics, I knew it’s what I was born to do,” he said. “We see patients of all ages, but it’s really great to catch a kid at their awkward stage of life and be able to see their confidence grow as the treatment progresses.”
Along with his dental degree and a master’s degree in business, Shannon also is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics—a distinction achieved by only one in three orthodontists in Oklahoma. He’s been inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Honorary Dental Academy and serves as a part-time orthodontic instructor for the OU College of Dentistry’s graduate orthodontic program.
Shannon, Revels (also a Navy veteran) and Restuccia are extremely dedicated to giving back to their community, and they have a lengthy list of school, youth, community and veterans’ organizations they’ve helped over the years.
Among their many outreach programs, they’ve purchased scoreboards, playground equipment and uniforms for more than a dozen area elementary and high schools, fulfilled Make-a-Wish Foundation and Wounded Warrior requests, donated raffle items to Norman’s Junior League, helped the YMCA fund building modifications, and purchased Girl Scout cookies to send to active-duty military members overseas.
They’ve also provided free and discounted services for participants in Norman’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Bridges programs, as well as individual area veterans in need. The list goes on and on.
As if all that weren’t enough, Shannon works extensively with the OU sports teams. He’s even treated Heisman trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, along with most of the OU coaches and their families.
Outside the office, Shannon spends time traveling with his family, which in addition to wife Tish includes their four children, Berkley, 19; Paisley, 17; Landry, 15; and Emery, 14. They’re all highly involved in sports, and as one would expect, are die-hard OU fans.
“I just want people to know how much we appreciate the community and their support,” Shannon said. “It has been a really blessed life.”
Benvenuti’s Fresh Chilean Sea Bass *
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
White wine
1/4-cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp. capers (rinsed)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Sea salt & white pepper to taste
Directions
Pan sear the fish until golden crust forms; flip and cook on the other side, turning down the heat to cook the fish through. Remove the fish when finished and discard the oil. Deglaze the pan with white wine, add the heavy cream, rinsed capers and Dijon mustard. Reduce until the sauce thickens.
Plate fish with your favorite sides, salt and pepper as desired, and drizzle the sauce on top.
Mangia!
* Many thanks to Benvenuti's Ristorante (BenvenutisRistorante.com) executive chef and partner Anthony Compagni, who shared this delizioso recipe. The dish (and restaurant) is a favorite of Dr. Shannon and family.
“I had anticipated a different path, but when I found orthodontics, I knew it’s what I was born to do. We see patients of all ages, but it’s really great to catch a kid at their awkward stage of life and be able to see their confidence grow as the treatment progresses.”