Yukon Dentist Shares Experience with Orthodontics

1. Tell us a little bit about your road to dentistry and how long you’ve been practicing. 
I’ve been practicing for 3 years now in Yukon, OK. As a child, I had a lot of problems with my teeth and would visit the dentist a lot. That’s when my initial interest in the field started. As I grew up, I enjoyed both the sciences and arts. For me, dentistry was the perfect combination of both with the added benefit of being able to serve others.

2. What encouraged you to get an orthodontic consultation?
My teeth have always been crowded. The appearance had bothered me – I was insecure about my smile. In pictures, it would look like I was missing teeth because of the way they were positioned and crowded. It really wasn’t until I went through dental school that I completely understood the other effects of my malocclusion (misalignment in the bite). My bite was destructive and I couldn’t bite into things properly because my front teeth didn’t touch well. This also resulted in jaw pain. Understanding the negative consequences of having teeth in the wrong position finally pushed me to get an orthodontic consultation.

4. What would you say to someone that’s considering getting orthodontic treatment?
Do it. You’ll thank yourself later. Nothing is better than having your own natural teeth in your mouth. When your teeth are in the correct position, not only are you protecting them from breaking, but you’re also able to clean them more effectively with brushing and flossing. This prevents tooth decay and gum disease. It’s not just about the way your smile looks, it’s also about doing everything you can to ensure that you have your teeth for the rest of your life. My experience has been awesome at Orthodontic Arts! Everyone has been kind and helpful and they always make me feel important. Dr. Birdwell is incredible and I’m so happy that I picked him to be my orthodontist!

 

 

 

5. What are you looking forward to most about getting your braces off? 
Flossing!! I can’t wait to be able to floss without having to thread the floss through my braces. I’m also looking forward to biting into a sandwich and eating sushi without having food stuck everywhere in my braces.

Dr. Patel received her D.D.S. degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in Oklahoma City, OK in May 2015. Some honors received include the Pierre Fauchard Academy Undergraduate Certificate of Merit, Outstanding Achievement in Periodontics and the Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health Award. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma magna cum laude with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology in 2009.
You can learn more about Dr. Patel HERE.