July 23, 2024
The earliest days of my childhood were spent with the neighborhood kids playing various games around the block until the street lights came on. Those hot summer nights turned into cold winter evenings by the fireplace with my family watching movies, feeling my eyes grow heavier with each passing moment. No matter if I was sucking on a popsicle or sipping hot cocoa, I never paid much attention to my mouth, why would I? As time progressed so did I; more time in my days were spent at school, and the gazes of the children around me seemed to linger a little longer. Oblivious to those around me, I continued my days, swinging from the monkey bars, trading friendship bracelets, and most importantly smiling. Begin coined as the ‘care-free’ kid – I truthfully was living in my own world, one where I did not care what anyone else thought. Unfortunately things changed; for me, it was when the 5th grade's coolest boy had pointed out my “bunny rabbit teeth" to the entire class. For the first time in my life, my smile was gone. I tried to not let the immature words change who I was but there was no hiding from my jagged overbite and crooked teeth. They followed me everywhere I went, unable to hide from the lingering embarrassment.
I started orthodontic treatment not long after that interaction, and at first, I cried to my mother about how much worse my teeth appeared with jagged metals sticking from beyond my lips. However, as the weeks turned to months and months turned to years, there was an entirely different girl sitting in the chair. Of course, the fundamentals were all the same, a love for swinging from the monkey bars and movie nights with my family but finally my smile had returned. The initial removal of my metal braces after four years was a moment I dreamed of. However, once back in the car, my mothers smile faltered for just a moment, she did not say it then, but I knew something was off. It wasn't until my best friend asked why my teeth were still flared that I felt my heart shatter. My confidence was right back to where it was the dreaded day of 5th grade. Once again, I was crying to my mom, confused as to why I was incapable of having a perfect smile like everyone else, that is when she took me to a new orthodontic practice: Morrone Kaye and Yucha.
Walking into the office surrounded by young middle school kids was difficult as a freshman who thought she was so mature. I shuffled into the consultation room, tears brimming my eyes. We agreed upon a two year treatment plan for invisalign in hopes of making this second round of treatment unnoticeable. When the day finally came to take them, the mirror in front of me revealed all I had wished for over the past six years: my perfect smile. Although to most people it would seem minute, and insignificant, being able to give a genuine smile is something that both 5th and 9th grade me would never be able to fathom. Every comment on my smile from that day forth stuck with me, knowing that I went from hiding my teeth, to proudly displaying them any chance given is a feeling like no other. I am forever thankful for the power of orthodontic treatments in the way they shaped my life, the way they were able to heal the little girl in me, who can now smile proudly from ear to ear.