Hello, Sassy Squad! I have had this on my heart for a while, and I’m finally ready to share it with you. Transforming my smile enhanced my appearance and empowered me to embrace life and joy with renewed confidence. Before sharing the results of my smile makeover, I should explain the context of how my smile was before the transformation.

As a quiet and shy child, smiling became my way of connecting with the world. It was my way of holding on to optimism, no matter what, and sharing that positive energy with everyone around me. That smile became my superpower, spreading positivity to everyone I met.

My friends started calling me “Smiley” because I smiled so much. When I was 6 years old, a freak accident changed my smile. One day, while I was walking home, I got spooked by a dog chasing me and kept glancing behind in fear. Before I knew it, I ran straight into a streetlight pole, and the impact chipped my front tooth.

All my life, I have struggled with confidence, and when I damaged my smile, it only made things worse from my teenage years into adulthood.  A bright smile can truly transform how we see ourselves and how others see us. I remember hiding my smile in pictures and feeling self-conscious when talking to others because I thought that everyone was staring at my chipped tooth.

Fast forward to 2020, I began my self-love journey by enhancing my overall wellness, mentally, physically, and spiritually. In 2022, I finally faced my fears and went to the orthodontist to fix my smile with Invisalign. For those who may not be familiar with Invisalign, it is an alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to help straighten your teeth. The number of aligners you receive will depend on the length of your specific treatment. In my case, it took me two years to complete the orthodontic treatment.

My smile journey was challenging and rewarding at the same time. There were times when I felt like I couldn’t endure the treatment until the end, but what motivated me to keep going was the happiness and joy I knew I would experience with my transformation upon completing it. Most importantly, I clung to the promise that God gave me about restoring my smile.

Since completing my orthodontic treatment in 2024, I have become a better version of myself. I am continually gaining back my confidence and gratitude for every challenge I faced on this journey toward loving the woman I’m becoming. I’ve been more intentional about embracing my authentic self.  

Cultivating my mental, spiritual, and physical wellness has allowed me to fully embrace the authentic self that God created. I have recently discovered that my smile journey has deepened my love for who I truly am. When I chose to fix my smile, it was a way to nurture my inner child and restore my joy within.  

I hope my smile journey has inspired and encouraged you to prioritize being your authentic self, no matter what — even if the whole world is on a different path. Always choose to follow your joy in every life decision you make and in the people you surround yourself with. Ultimately, you only have one life to live, so cherish love, hope, and happiness in all forms. Who is prepared to be their best selves and live the life they were meant to live?

Live Fearlessly and Choose Joy!

Love always,

💗 Ronni Lauren