Local orthodontist dispels myths and reveals how a smile can change lives in new book

Unleash the transformational power of your smile

New book dispels myths about orthodontics & reveals how a smile can change lives

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A smile seems like such a simple thing, but it has the power to positively or negatively affect every aspect of our lives. Many adults spend years grappling with low self-esteem from hiding an unattractive smile, often missing out on quality relationships, work promotions and living their best life. But the good news is, achieving your ideal smile at any age is actually simpler, faster and more convenient today than ever before.

In her new book, “Improve Your Smile, Transform Your Life: A Guide to Orthodontics for Adults” (Advantage Media Group, January 2017), Dr. Leslie Pitner, D.D.S., M.S., provides research-backed evidence on the positive psychological impact of the smile, dispels common myths about orthodontics and reveals the latest advances in treatments and technology that make having a beautiful smile easily attainable.

“Smiling is so important, not just for how others perceive us, but also for self-esteem, mental and physical health and even longevity,” says Dr. Pitner, an expert on the psychology of the smile. “Even if you’ve spent a lifetime unsatisfied with your smile, it’s never too late to improve it and change your life for the better – and I promise it will be quicker, more comfortable and less awkward than you think.”

Dr. Pitner’s diverse background in orthodontics, fine art and positive psychology gives her a unique, holistic perspective on orthodontics – not just as a science, but as an art form. In “Improve Your Smile, Transform Your Life,” she not only offers proof that a smile has the power to change us from the inside out, she explores long-held misconceptions about orthodontics that keep many people – especially adults – from seeking simple treatment to enhance their lives.

“Improve Your Smile, Transform Your Life” busts these top three myths about orthodontics:

1. Myth: Braces are just for kids.
Fact: Adult teeth can be straightened just as easily as children’s. One quarter of orthodontic patients in the U.S. are adults, a number that continues to climb.

2. Myth: You have to be referred to an orthodontist.
Fact: There’s no gatekeeper to orthodontic treatment. You can make the decision on your own, and it won’t affect your insurance if you have coverage.

3. Myth: Braces are ugly, and everyone will know I’m wearing them.
Fact: Today’s braces are much less noticeable, and some are even invisible. Options include ceramic tooth-colored braces, removable clear aligners such as Invisalign, and even “lingual” braces attached to the back of your teeth. Nobody needs to know you have braces – they’ll only see the positive results!

Dr. Leslie Pitner, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Leslie Pitner, D.D.S., M.S., is the owner of Pitner Orthodontics in Columbia and Chapin, S.C., including Pitner Downtown: Orthodontics for Adults – the first and only practice in the Southeast U.S. exclusively for adult patients, and one of the only of its kind in the nation. In addition to her D.D.S. and M.S. in Orthodontics from the University of North Carolina, Dr. Pitner also holds a bachelor’s degree in art from Williams College, and both a master’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an in-demand consultant and speaker on aesthetic orthodontics, with a focus on lingual braces and the psychology of the smile. Visit drlesliepitner.com for more information.

For more information or to request an interview with Pitner, please contact Shelby Janner at (512) 982-0944 or [email protected].