If you had told me a few years ago that I'd one day, be emotionally attached to my dentist and her…read moreoffice staff, I would have laughed out loud with my half-hidden smile and changed the subject.
Then I met Dr. Chao and her incredible team at Pleasanton Prosthodontics.
What started as fear, embarrassment, and years of avoiding mirrors somehow turned into one of the most life-changing experiences I've ever had. And trust me, nobody puts "dental implants" on their bucket list expecting a spiritual rebirth and the sudden urge to smile in every photo like they're running for office.
Dr. Maggie is one of those rare doctors who combines absolute perfectionism in her work with genuine compassion for people. She never made me feel rushed, judged, or like "just another patient". She honestly cares. And she is so amazingly sweet.
She always took the time and explained everything, calmed every fear, and somehow made a very intimidating process feel manageable. She answered all questions kindly, and in plain English, so you could understand. Honestly Dr. Maggie has the patience of a saint and the precision of a neurosurgeon working on a brain.
And her staff? They are absolute angels from above. Every single person that worked on me over the years is kind and warm, and supportive especially when I was feeling extra vulnerable, or embarrassed. They never made me feel like I was judged or less than. Some of the girls have quite the sense of humor, and would make me laugh, when their fingers were down my throat, (figuratively) which made it even funnier. I could go in there all depressed, and one of their stomachs would rumble with hunger, and we'd all start cracking up, and I'd end up leaving with smile on my face, even before it was pretty. They cared about me, remembered me, and supported me throughout the whole long process.
But here is the real truth; they didn't just fix my teeth.
THEY GAVE ME MY SMILE BACK! AND MY SELF ESTEEM!
Now I smile without thinking about it. I am no longer the person slinking around the back of the group, not wanting my picture taken. Now, I am happy to be right up front, grinning as wide as I can for the photo. That kind of confidence restoration is hard to explain unless you've lived without it for a long time.
My journey began in 2015 when I fell down some stairs and broke my front tooth. You don't realize how self-conscious you become, not wanting to talk to strangers because of the gaping hole in your smile. I think I was the only person in the world who was HAPPY to wear a mask when COVID hit. It was truly awful, and even though it took a long time for the whole process, it was soooooo worth the wait.
If you are scared, embarrassed, overwhelmed, or putting this off because you think things are "too far gone;" please don't give up. Dr. Chao and her team are proof that kindness and extraordinary skill still exist in this world. They will help you get your smile back, too! Like they did for me!
10 stars isn't enough. I'd like to leave them a whole parade if Yelp allowed it. GOLD stars, disco lights, and a full advertisement billboard on the Vegas strip, and it still wouldn't be enough to express my satisfaction and gratitude to Pleasanton Prosthodontics.
HIP, HIP HOORAY TO DR MAGGIE AND HER TEAM! Thank you all so much for taking such good care of me,
God Bless you all!!!
Sincerely,
Leah Wyeth (Modesto)