Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Lee, DMD.
Dr. Lee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I graduated from Brown University, Harvard Dental School and Harvard’s Orthodontic program. I developed a shape analysis of the dental arch called Dentometrics. Accordingly, I invented an oral device that shapes the dental arch. It significantly improves the smile line and reduces treatment time. Dentometrics and its appliance are patented and trademarked both U.S. and Internationally.
Orthodontics is the field of dentistry which treats the dental arch to make teeth straight. The treatment often involves extracting or stripping teeth. I got started by asking a few simple questions regarding the philosophy of orthodontics. First, I needed to justify the significance of having straight teeth; is it only just for the aesthetics or does it go beyond that? My next question is, if the goal of any treatment is to restore normalcy, can a dental arch which is altered by extraction or stripping ever be considered normal in shape and size? My last question is, what are the effects on the surrounding facial structures that are attached to the dental arch? In order to answer all my questions, I developed the Dentometrics theory and analysis using a mathematical formula.
In addition, realizing that malocclusion is often related to the use of an artificial nipple, i.e., pacifier, I invented the Paciflow pacifier. Paciflow trains the muscles to develop the proper way, minimizing common problems resulting from the use of conventional pacifiers. Paciflow mimics the most natural feeding mechanism which makes breathing efficient during suckling on the pacifier and the bottle nipple.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, certainly not. Developing a method of diagnosis and treatment different from the current long-time concepts has been a most humbling experience. When I developed Dentometrics, I really thought that it would be an obvious concept to my colleagues. Dentometrics is a morphometric system that measures the degree of shape variation in relation to the underlying facial anatomy. Yet, I did not realize how much work I had to do to validate my theory and analysis to my colleagues. It is a new way of looking at malocclusion as a result of the mid-facial deformation. Each time I ran into challenging questions, I had to work harder reviewing why Dentometrics works.
Please tell us about Beyond Your Smile.
Beyond Your Smile is a very unique orthodontic practice. Developing Dentometrics made me look at the dental arch beyond teeth. My philosophy is to include the dental arch as part of the anatomic structure of the mid-face. My diagnosis involves not only evaluating the patient’s occlusion, but also the arch formation in relation to the base of the skull and the nasal structures.
Typical treatment includes reshaping the arch form to be normal with respect to the patient’s own facial anatomy. My practice is not just not about straightening crooked teeth, but it is about improving the mid-facial function, which involves the coordination between chewing and swallowing with breathing.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Lessons learned are perseverance in fulfilling my passion to improve public health issues with chewing, breathing and swallowing.
Contact Info:
- Address: Beyond Your Smile
254 Cochituate Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701 - Website: www.beyondyoursmile.net
- Phone: 508-875-1060
- Email: beyondyoursmile@verizon.net
Image Credit:
Photos by Barbara Cowen
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