Many dentists get into the field because they like helping people, they’re scientifically inclined, and dentistry offers a good, stable living. Other dentists get into the field because they’ve had personal experiences that guided them there.

I’m in the latter category. My experiences as a teen with reconstructive oral surgery shaped my outlook on the world and impressed upon me just how important a healthy smile is.

This is the story of how one patient turned dentist – this is my story.

My Story

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with a genetic condition that caused my mouth and gums to age at a faster rate than normal. I was told I’d lose all my natural teeth by the age of 40.

My mother had lost all her teeth by that age and was determined not to let the same happen to me, so she took me to see oral specialists who could help. Reconstructive oral surgery conjures images of resetting bones, like advancing the mandible or reconstruction of the face after severe trauma.  What I underwent was periodontal surgery, which manages bone loss around the teeth. It saved my teeth so that later I could have restorative dentistry to restore the function and appearance.

The results were worth it. I could smile and laugh like a normal teenager, something I’d never been able to do before. I was no longer self-conscious of my teeth. I could finally be me.

Inspiration for a Career

That experience as a teen had a huge impact on me. I wasn’t just impressed with the results, but with the skill and dedication of all the dentists and oral specialists who helped me along the way. I could tell that they truly cared about me and my well-being. They understood that dentistry goes far beyond having healthy teeth; it affects a person’s self-image and ability to interact with the world. By treating me, they gave me the confidence to live my life fully.

I wanted to make that kind of difference in someone else’s life. To make that happen, I got my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then went to dental school at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. I continued my studies in the field of dentistry at the L. D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Key Biscayne, where I later became a Lead Faculty member and a Pankey Scholar, a designation awarded to only 48 dentists in the world.

In my practice now, my focus is on what I call Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry, which combines the goals of both cosmetic dentistry (improving appearance) and restorative dentistry (restoring function) to create beautiful, functional smiles. For 30 years now, I’ve been able to use this method to treat patients and change lives as a practicing dentist.

Sharing My Inspiration

I wanted to share my story so that you might have a better understanding of why I do what I do. I’m driven to give people the experience I had myself–the experience of being able to smile fully for the first time, of gaining confidence I never knew I had, of taking control of my life in a way that wasn’t possible before. This may sound lofty but it’s the truth, and I know other people have experienced it, too, because I’ve had the privilege of being able to use my training and expertise to bring that to them. I hope that I can do the same for you.