Cover Story

I have had the privilege of working for Arrowhead Dental Laboratory and the Dr. Dick Barnes Group for ten years. During that time I have seen amazing smile transformations from both a clinical and technical perspective. Although I knew the process rather well, my own experience as a patient was surprising.

I have always wanted a beautiful smile, but as a child my parents did not place a lot of importance in our teeth.

The first thing I notice about people is their teeth. I was born missing a tooth, which led to self-consciousness and years of orthodontic treatment. I always wondered what it would be like to have a big, beautiful smile.

I have always been extremely self-conscious about my smile. In my teenage years I had unattractive gaps between my front teeth. I was really embarrassed to smile and never smiled in pictures. Most teenagers...