A Columbia original since 2004

Meet Dr. Jernigan

Orthodontics should be more than an amazing smile. For Dr. Jernigan, it’s a chance to build relationships, share a few good stories, and make every visit worth looking forward to.

Dr. Christopher Jernigan, orthodontist in Columbia, South Carolina

20+ years of Columbia smiles

Your Orthodontist in Columbia, SC

From Superman ambitions to creating thousands of confident smiles, Dr. Jernigan’s path has never been short on personality.

Superman, X-wings & a guitar

I grew up in Gilbert, South Carolina just a few miles past Lexington high school. Like most boys growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, my lifelong ambition was to be Superman. Once I realized that overcoming gravity was unlikely to happen, I moved on to becoming an X-wing fighter pilot, and then some other things not readily attainable. I graduated in the Gilbert High School class of ‘92 where I over-achieved at rec-league basketball with my friends while learning to play guitar because of Metallica and U2.

A question that changed the route

Fast forward to college at Winthrop University, where I started as an English major as I thought myself a bit of a novelist. On a whim, my dad and I went on a trip to look at Civil War battlefields… did I mention I am a history buff? We were riding down I-95 when he asked, “whatever happened to you being an orthodontist?” I recalled my experience of having braces and enjoying how cool that was. Not to mention I kind of liked my teeth! That was pretty much it - I decided to shoot for dental school. I graduated from Winthrop with a B.S. in Biology and a fiance named Jennifer from Columbia that I met on a Halloween hayride. We got married in 1997.

Two left, three came back

I went on to dental school at MUSC and an orthodontic residency program at Vanderbilt University. Leaving Nashville, we did the ol’ “2 left, and 3 came back” maneuver as our daughter Kate came into the picture. I opened my own practice in Lake Carolina in 2004. In 2006, we welcomed our second daughter, Meredith. I would tell you about my hobbies like everyone else does, but everyone likes spending time with their families and dogs. Same here. I look forward to sharing more stories when we meet.

My statement of faith

I attend Village Church in Blythewood where I participate in the music ministry.

My faith is rooted entirely in Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, whose perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection give me the grace, hope, and purpose I lean on every day. Out of gratitude for His love and salvation, I strive to honor Him while humbly resting on His grace.

1 John 5:11–12

— Dr. Jernigan

Let’s build a smile that lasts.

Your happiest smile can start right here.

Come meet the people who make orthodontics feel personal, fresh, and fun. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and create a treatment plan built around you.

Schedule Today!