12/22/2023

Friends of Franz Podcast S3 E4: Brace Yourself for the World of Orthodontics with Dr. Vivian Chen

Smiling is a universal symbol of happiness. However, there are instances when the ability to smile is taken away from a person, outside of mere saddening and heartbreaking life occurrences. There are situations when one chooses not to smile because of how it looks on them. In a 2019 survey of 2,000 Americans by Snow Teeth Whitening, 57% of people said they cover their mouths when they laugh because they were ashamed of their teeth' appearance, with 7 in 10 people admitting self-consciousness about their teeth due to lack of whiteness, crookedness, and gaps between teeth. However, beyond the sphere of dental aesthetics, there lies an array of dental issues that seep deeper than color and shade. The dental specialty of orthodontics focuses on the skeletal issues of the teeth, such as crookedness of teeth, malposition of the jaw, and misalignment of bite patterns, that are usually corrected by traditional braces, clear aligners like Invisalign®, and retainers that seek to correct these issues and restore one's confidence to smile.

We are joined by Doctor of Dental Surgery and Orthodontic resident dentist Dr. Vivian Chen. Through her social media platform, she promotes oral hygiene and oral health, as well as academic guidance for prospective Orthodontics trainees.