Single Mom and Student Gains a Confident Invisalign Smile
In 2023, we partnered with OSU-OKC Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) to offer a full Smile Grant to some students giving them Invisalign or braces treatment at Orthodontic Associates. CFSI helps them to transition from various challenging situations, including incarceration, homelessness, foster care, domestic violence, substance abuse addiction, or mental health disorders while working toward a college degree and a brighter future.
Smile Grant recipient Jemi Brown is a survivor of heroin addiction and domestic abuse who wanted to transform her smile for a better life for herself and her kids. As a full-time single mom, she currently works at Catalyst Behavioral Services and is working towards her bachelor’s degree in social work. Not only is she a graduate from CFSI, she is also a graduate and board member of Remerge, a treatment and recovery diversion program serving moms and pregnant women as an alternative option to incarceration for non-violent felony offenses.
Jemi recently finished her Invisalign treatment at OA, and we wanted to share her Smile Story experience with you!
Tell me about your experience with OA and your treatment? What did you like most about coming here?
My experience was flawless, painless, and it exceeded all my expectations. Coming into the office was always quick, and didn’t take out too much time during the day.
How did you feel about your smile before treatment?
Before my treatment, I was getting increasingly concerned about crowding in my teeth and how my front teeth were moving and turning sideways. It wasn’t something you could see but I have a few missing teeth and want to eventually get them fixed and I would need to fix this problem before I could work on implants. It was just a constant worry in the back of my mind that wouldn’t go away and came up every time I brushed my teeth.
How has your new OA smile impacted your life? (Confidence, happiness, etc)
Now when I look at my smile and how my teeth have moved and how they look, I just am amazed with how my smile has transformed and all my worries have disappeared. I am still a way away from being able to start getting the missing teeth replaced, I no longer feel like I am going backwards and getting further from my goals. I sleep better, well at least when I can’t sleep, my teeth aren’t the topic that keeps me up at night. I am lucky that my missing teeth aren’t easily seen but I do feel some shame that I allowed my teeth to get that bad that I had to have them removed. Being able to take a step towards replacement has helped with that shame by allowing me to take pride in doing something about it.
What would you say to others considering orthodontic treatment?
I would say GO FOR IT. It may seem like it takes a while if you have multiple rounds but the time will pass anyways.
. . .
I really appreciate this opportunity, with forward momentum moving me into the life I want, it’s just confirming that I deserve good things to happen to me and for me.
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Single Mom and Student Gains a Confident Invisalign Smile
In 2023, we partnered with OSU-OKC Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) to offer a full Smile Grant to some students giving them Invisalign or braces treatment at Orthodontic Associates. CFSI helps them to transition from various challenging situations, including incarceration, homelessness, foster care, domestic violence, substance abuse addiction, or mental health disorders while working toward a college degree and a brighter future.
Smile Grant recipient Jemi Brown is a survivor of heroin addiction and domestic abuse who wanted to transform her smile for a better life for herself and her kids. As a full-time single mom, she currently works at Catalyst Behavioral Services and is working towards her bachelor’s degree in social work. Not only is she a graduate from CFSI, she is also a graduate and board member of Remerge, a treatment and recovery diversion program serving moms and pregnant women as an alternative option to incarceration for non-violent felony offenses.
Jemi recently finished her Invisalign treatment at OA, and we wanted to share her Smile Story experience with you!
Tell me about your experience with OA and your treatment? What did you like most about coming here?
My experience was flawless, painless, and it exceeded all my expectations. Coming into the office was always quick, and didn’t take out too much time during the day.
How did you feel about your smile before treatment?
Before my treatment, I was getting increasingly concerned about crowding in my teeth and how my front teeth were moving and turning sideways. It wasn’t something you could see but I have a few missing teeth and want to eventually get them fixed and I would need to fix this problem before I could work on implants. It was just a constant worry in the back of my mind that wouldn’t go away and came up every time I brushed my teeth.
How has your new OA smile impacted your life? (Confidence, happiness, etc)
Now when I look at my smile and how my teeth have moved and how they look, I just am amazed with how my smile has transformed and all my worries have disappeared. I am still a way away from being able to start getting the missing teeth replaced, I no longer feel like I am going backwards and getting further from my goals. I sleep better, well at least when I can’t sleep, my teeth aren’t the topic that keeps me up at night. I am lucky that my missing teeth aren’t easily seen but I do feel some shame that I allowed my teeth to get that bad that I had to have them removed. Being able to take a step towards replacement has helped with that shame by allowing me to take pride in doing something about it.
What would you say to others considering orthodontic treatment?
I would say GO FOR IT. It may seem like it takes a while if you have multiple rounds but the time will pass anyways.
. . .
I really appreciate this opportunity, with forward momentum moving me into the life I want, it’s just confirming that I deserve good things to happen to me and for me.