Meet Patricia, the Smile Giveaway Winner
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Patricia, the Cranberry Dental Smile Giveaway winner.
As an essential worker, Patricia was one of many who worked tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of Pittsburgh, she balanced responsibilities as an EMT, patient care technician, and biomedical researcher, serving her community and helping those in need. For her, mask mandates weren’t all that bad. Wearing a mask gave her the ability to hide her biggest insecurity - her smile. “Everyone was complaining; nobody wanted to wear them. I was so excited to wear a mask and not have to smile. I got used to smiling with my mouth closed or just not smiling in general. That’s not my personality. I just wanted my life back! If there was an opportunity for me to be me again, I was going to take it.” Patricia’s opportunity to improve her smile came in the form of Cranberry Dental Studio’s Smile Giveaway for Essential Workers.
This Q&A was with Drs. Brian and Rob Klaich.
Why did you choose Patricia as your Smile Giveaway winner?
Upon reading her entry, we knew immediately that Patricia was the type of person we were hoping to give back to with our Smile Giveaway. She expressed to us that her smile insecurity had become less of a focus during the pandemic when she was wearing a mask at all times. However, as the mask mandates were lifting and seemingly everyone around her was celebrating, Patricia had developed a deep anxiety toward unmasking.What really struck us about her story though was her unwavering dedication to help others. Not only did she provide our community with crucial services during the pandemic but she also plans to attend medical school so she can further serve local underprivileged communities. Her determination to better her community and care for others genuinely embodied the spirit we wanted to reward.
What has your experience been like working with her?
Patricia’s impact on our team has been incredible and our admiration for her only grows since we’ve met. Her personality shines with thoughtfulness and she has an enthusiasm for life that’s contagious. We couldn’t think of a more caring or deserving person to help.
What treatment did you provide Patricia and why?
We designed eight porcelain restorations and used laser gum recontouring to enhance her smile. The front two teeth required full coverage all-porcelain crowns and the remaining six were done with porcelain veneers. Previous trauma to Patricia’s front teeth caused them to darken over time. Crowns were appropriate to protect the root-canaled teeth while also addressing their darker color and lack of natural tooth structure. Veneers and gum recontouring allowed us to even the heights and shapes of her teeth while closing the spacing around her canines. All in all, these restorations will provide long-lasting, dependable results with excellent esthetics.
What would you say to those interested in cosmetic dentistry who are hesitant to get started?
When cosmetic dentistry is responsibly planned and executed using the latest techniques and highest quality materials, it can provide an emotional, life-changing experience. We’d encourage anyone who feels they can’t smile confidently to reach out and discuss how we can help.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRANBERRY DENTAL
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