Patient: Brian Sedgley
ACE dentist providing treatment: Dr. Mike Maroon
Historical treatment: Short-term orthodontics, crowns and fillings
Dr. Kostrzewski has more than two decades of experience in dentistry and reviews the dental information published by ACE Dental Resource.
About This Historical Case
This page documents a historical A Soldier’s Smile case involving Brian Sedgley and Dr. Mike Maroon. The original article included a detailed military and public-service biography and described dental treatment that was underway at the time. We have retained the original case context and images while removing outdated “currently undergoing” language that could be misleading more than a decade later.
The original case described a patient who wanted to improve the appearance of his smile and received treatment through the program. The documented treatment plan included short-term orthodontics, crowns and fillings.
What the Original Treatment Plan Involved
Short-term orthodontics is an orthodontic approach intended to move selected teeth over a relatively limited treatment period. Whether it is appropriate depends on the patient’s bite, tooth position, periodontal health and the specific movements required. A dentist or orthodontist should determine whether a limited orthodontic plan can achieve the desired result without compromising function.
Crowns are restorations that cover and protect a damaged or weakened tooth. They can also be used when a tooth needs substantial structural replacement. Fillings restore teeth affected by cavities or other limited areas of tooth damage.
| Treatment | What it generally does |
|---|---|
| Short-term orthodontics | Moves selected teeth to improve alignment when the proposed tooth movements are appropriate for a limited treatment plan. |
| Dental crowns | Cover and restore a tooth that needs more structural protection or replacement than a filling can provide. |
| Dental fillings | Repair localized tooth damage such as cavities while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as practical. |
Why Treatment Planning Matters
A smile makeover is not simply a cosmetic exercise. Before orthodontic or restorative treatment, the dentist should evaluate the health of the teeth and gums, existing restorations, bite and the amount of healthy tooth structure available. The sequence of treatment matters because moving teeth or placing restorations can affect how the final teeth contact each other.
Patients considering crowns should also understand that crowns require removal of some tooth structure and are not automatically the best choice for every damaged tooth. When a filling or other conservative restoration can provide a predictable result, the dentist may recommend that approach instead.
Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry and Long-Term Care
Orthodontic treatment can change tooth position, while crowns and fillings restore tooth structure. These treatments address different problems and may be combined when clinically appropriate.
After treatment, maintaining oral hygiene and attending regular dental examinations are important. Restorations can still develop problems, and teeth that have been moved orthodontically may require retention to help maintain their position.
| Before treatment | Questions worth discussing |
|---|---|
| Teeth and gums | Are cavities, gum disease or other active problems controlled? |
| Bite | Will the planned tooth movement and restorations create stable, functional contacts? |
| Restorative needs | Which teeth actually require crowns or fillings, and why? |
| Long-term maintenance | What will be required to maintain the result and protect the restorations? |
The Original Patient Story
The original article included Brian’s account of his military and public-service career and his appreciation for receiving dental care through A Soldier’s Smile. Those biographical details are preserved in the original page history and images, but this refreshed article focuses on the dental treatment rather than reproducing a long personal biography.
The original page also said that final photographs would be added after treatment. That statement referred to a planned future update at the time and should not be read as a current promise or as evidence of a particular treatment outcome.
Learn more about cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, orthodontics, dental treatment costs and finding a local dentist.
Sources
- American College of Prosthodontists — Dentures
- American College of Prosthodontists — Dental Implants
