A 42 YEAR-OLD’S TRANSFORMATION FROM SELF-CONSCIOUS TO SELF-CONFIDENT

Orthodontic Patient Notes Surprising Added Benefits In Her Complex Case

“Some mornings I just stare in the mirror for five minutes,” says Diane Shanks-Correia who recently completed a comprehensive Orthodontic treatment plan. “I can’t believe I’m looking at myself.”

“It was by far one of the most complex cases in my 14 years of practicing Orthodontics,” says ARCH Orthodontics’ Dr. Andrew Chase of his patient, 42 year-old Diane Shanks-Correia. Today, her friends are amazed at the transformation, and even veteran Orthodontists and dentists viewing before and after photos are astounded at the dramatic changes in her appearance.

Dr. Chase, in conjunction with a local dentist and an oral surgeon, transformed Diane from a perpetually grimacing, self-conscious middle school teacher and mother of two into a smiling, self-confident woman.

“Ironically, my jobs and volunteer work always seem to involve getting up in front of groups,” Diane says. She teaches 6^th grade in Avon, Mass., staffs the customer service desk at the YMCA, sings in her church choir, and is a Girl Scout leader. “But my overbite along with crowding and spacing issues made me feel as if everyone was focusing on my mouth instead of the words and thoughts coming out of it,” she says. “When I spoke or laughed, my hand automatically covered my mouth. I couldn’t even apply lipstick properly.”

Dr. Chase outlined Diane’s case: “Her upper front teeth were very far out in front of the bottom teeth and she had to strain her lips in order to close her mouth. Her bottom teeth were crowded and there were multiple missing teeth. We also had periodontal concerns.”

Among the most dramatic aspects of Diane’s treatment plan: While Diane’s case was best suited to have a surgical component to reposition the jaw bones for improved bite relationship, this option was declined.  In lieu of surgery, and to create a balanced and esthetic outcome, Dr. Chase recommended pulling her upper central incisors, then using clear, ceramic braces that, over time, moved the lateral incisors into the central incisor position, making them the new front teeth.  While this plan was quite unconventional, her case required this type of “out-of-the-box” thinking to create the desired outcome.

There have been surprise benefits, too: Diane is no longer a ‘mouth breather.’ “As treatment progressed, my sleep apnea disappeared along with my chronic fatigue. Also, my fibromyalgia is better. I’m more alert all day long.”  When Diane’s students talk about braces, Diane understands: “I tell them the short-term discomfort is worth it for a lifetime of great smiles.”

When Diane came to ARCH’s Stoughton office for her ‘graduation’ photo, she was so excited she brought her own camera.  Now, one of Diane’s three daughters is an ARCH patient. She also had an overbite. “I brought her to Dr. Chavez and Dr. Chase when she was in 4^th grade. She used headgear at first, and had a second phase of treatment with a full set of braces.  Because we started treatment early, much of her bite issue was corrected prior to actually getting her braces on, and her treatment was  less involved than what I had.”

Diane says, “I learned that it’s never too late to improve your smile. I learned the treatment can take longer when you’re older, but it’s definitely worth it. And I learned that having a great smile not only makes you feel better about yourself, but it changes the way people look at and listen to what you say. I commend Dr. Chase and his team for the ‘medical miracle’ they performed on me.”

Diane says, “Dr. Chase’s team changed my life and I’m so appreciative.” She smiles — without covering her mouth.

ARCH Orthodontics is the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts. ARCH offers free initial consultation including digital photos and panoral x-rays. The practice has offices in Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Hyannis, Hyde Park, Orleans, Randolph, Stoughton and Westwood. For more info: http://www.sesameblogs.com/archorthodontics or call 1-800-28-SMILE.

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