Grace Wu Simco, D.M.D., M.S.D., provides orthodontic care that’s in a class all its own. While her social-media pages abound with before-and-after images showcasing patients’ remarkable transformations, anyone who has ever visited one of her two offices – the original in Levittown, or its stately sister in Yardley – has received much more than an Instagram-worthy smile. Dr. Grace, as most patients know her, takes great pride in her team’s ability to provide “integrative orthodontics,” an approach that goes well beyond traditional methods of straightening teeth and aligning the bite. Her education and clinical training enable her to treat even the most complex cases. As a result of her uncommon skill and artistry, patients of all ages seek her out. “While conventional orthodontics uses braces or aligners to correct dental alignment,” she explains, “integrative orthodontics takes a more holistic perspective to each patient’s oral health and overall well-being, and that includes the airway and the temporomandibular joint.” With each patient, Dr. Grace considers the intricate connections between the teeth, airway, jaws, and facial muscles, as well as the entire craniofacial structure. She pays particular mind to what she calls “airway enhancement,” or ensuring that a patient’s airways is properly developed and unobstructed. By doing so, she can prevent breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and the unwanted health problems that may result. Dr. Grace also takes into account factors such as nutrition and posture, both of which can affect a patient’s oral health. By addressing the symptoms and the underlying causes of orthodontic issues, Dr. Grace aims to help each patient achieve not only a beautiful smile, but also long-term stability, flawless airway function, and optimal health. Dr. Grace’s practice has undergone a transformation of its own since she purchased the Levittown office in 2016. The most visible example is a single-story carriage house in an idyllic part of Yardley known as Cardall’s Corner. The Yardley property has long been a beacon of care and healing, its origins dating back to an era when community, craftsmanship, and connection to the land were deeply intertwined. The main house, with its grand architecture and storied past, stood as a testament to the generations of caregivers who preceded her in dedicating their lives to the well-being of others. When Dr. Grace discovered the property in 2018, she felt an immediate connection to its legacy. She also saw an opportunity to breathe new life into Cardall’s Corner. The carriage house, with its exposed beams and rustic charm, was the focal point of her plan. She envisioned a sanctuary where people of all ages could receive cutting-edge orthodontic care in an environment intended to soothe the senses. Dr. Grace and her team transformed the carriage house into a modern office that blended seamlessly with its historic surroundings. Today, the renovated space has a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere, almost spa-like. At the same time, it boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including a 3D imaging system for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, a 3D intra-oral scanner, and 3D printers for the manufacture of durable retainers. As fate would have it, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Dr. Grace’s plans to open the Yardley office. What was meant to be a gradual unfolding of her practice at Cardall’s Corner became a swift and necessary pivot. She opened the office in 2021 so she could deliver essential care to her community during a time of unprecedented uncertainty. Today, Cardall’s Corner stands as a symbol of resilience and renewal. It is a place where antiquity and modernity converge, and where every patient is treated with the same care and respect that has defined the property for generations. Dr. Grace’s vision for Cardall’s Corner is about much more than expert orthodontic care; it’s about continuing a legacy of healing, community, and connection in a space that abounds with magic and history. “My whole family loves it here,” wrote one patient. “My daughter was the first to visit. I then decided to get braces at 35 years old, and then teeth whitening when they were removed a few months ago. My son is now a patient, and when my daughter is old enough, she’ll be in [too].” Another patient’s review: “Choosing Dr. Grace as my orthodontist is one of the best decisions I have ever made. At the age of 58 I must admit I had some apprehension about getting braces, but Dr. Grace and her staff made the whole process a truly positive experience… Not only are their skills exceptional, but the atmosphere in the office is cheerful, kind, and supportive.” Dr. Grace and her team aspire to provide each patient with a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile designed to stand the test of time. At the conclusion of each patient’s orthodontic treatment, she personally takes a photo of the patient wearing their newfound smile. It’s yet another example of her dedication to quality and refusal to compromise, the hallmarks of what has become a truly distinctive “smile brand.” About Dr. Grace Dr. Grace Simco’s journey to becoming one of Bucks County’s premier orthodontists began many years ago and half a world away. After earning her medical and dental degrees, respectively, from China’s Dongnan University and Nanjing Medical University, she chose to continue her education with a three-year orthodontic program at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio. She decided to stay in the United States to pursue her personal and professional dreams; she became a naturalized U.S. citizen in July 2023. Dr. Grace, who is board certified with the American Board of Orthodontics, started practicing orthodontics in the United States as the clinic director chief at the CWRU Orthodontic Program, followed by practices in Ohio and central Pennsylvania. She started her own orthodontic practice in Levittown in 2016 and opened a second office – in Yardley – five years later. ?For the past 10 years, Dr. Grace has been serving as a clinical faculty member at the Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center at CWRU, which is widely considered one of the world’s most prestigious centers devoted to the growth and development of the human face and teeth. Her background includes research at the Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center and the Craniofacial Imaging Center, which is a leader in the advancement of 3D imaging and the use of cone beam computed tomography, also known as CBCT. In her free time, Dr. Grace and her husband, Steve, enjoy hiking in the area’s many parks with their four-legged companions, biking on nearby trails, and fishing on local waterways. When not engaging in more active pursuits, they like to experience the rich history and international culture of Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. Dr. Grace Orthodontics 1588 Woodside Road Yardley, PA 19067 (215) 986-2070 drgraceorthodontics.com Grace’s Braces 4351 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 19056 (215) 945-2501 Photo courtesy of Dr. Grace Simco Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, September 2024.
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