There are moments in a practice like ours that remind us why we do what we do. Watching a young person walk in nervous, leave with a smile, and then go out and build something extraordinary with their life — that's the part of orthodontics that doesn't show up in textbooks. This week, we had one of those moments, and it came in the form of a name on a Major League Baseball lineup card.
Ben Malgeri, a former patient here at Seacoast Braces Miller Orthodontics in Exeter, New Hampshire, has made his debut as a right fielder for the Detroit Tigers. We are so incredibly proud of Ben. And we know the entire Seacoast community is right there with us.
We Remember When He Was Just a Kid from Exeter
Those of us here at Seacoast Braces have been part of this community for a long time. Dr. Miller has been treating families in Exeter and across the Seacoast region for over 30 years, and one of the most special parts of that work is watching patients grow up. Kids come in nervous, squinting at our equipment, maybe wondering what exactly is about to happen to their teeth. They sit in that chair and trust us with something that feels deeply personal — their smile, their confidence, the way they're going to show up in the world.
Ben Malgeri was one of those kids.
Now he's standing in a Major League outfield under the bright lights, wearing the Detroit Tigers uniform, playing the game he's clearly worked his whole life to reach. Hearing that kind of news is something we don't take lightly. It's a reminder that the young people who pass through our doors are capable of doing remarkable things — and that the everyday moments of growing up in a town like Exeter can be the foundation for something truly extraordinary.
The Privilege of Watching Patients Grow
Dr. Miller has always said that one of his favorite parts of being an orthodontist is getting to watch kids grow up. "I love being able to walk around the clinic talking with the kids," he's shared with patients and families over the years. "Watching them grow up and turn into independent people โ I find that very gratifying."
That's not just something we say. It's the real reason a practice like this one becomes more than just a place where teeth get straightened. Over 30 years, Dr. Miller has treated many patients from Exeter, Dover, and the broader Seacoast area. Those patients have grown up to become teachers, nurses, engineers, business owners, parents, and now — a professional baseball player.
You don't always get to hear the ending of someone's story when they walk out of your office for the last time with a new smile and a goodbye. Most of the time, you wonder. You see a kid who's confident and kind and driven, and you think: they're going to do something great. And then life moves on, and new patients come in, and years pass.
And then one day, you hear a name on a Detroit Tigers broadcast.
Ben Malgeri. Right fielder. Exeter, New Hampshire.
Confidence Is More Than a Smile — It's a Foundation
We work every day to give our patients something that goes beyond straight teeth. Yes, orthodontic treatment produces real, measurable results — a properly aligned bite, a healthier mouth, a smile that functions well and looks great. But the thing we care most about is confidence. That feeling a patient gets when they look in the mirror and see themselves the way they want to be seen.
Athletes, in particular, know something about confidence. It's the thing that separates a good player from a great one when the pressure is on. It's the quiet inner voice that says: I've prepared for this. I belong here. Watch me.
We like to think that every patient who sits in our chair and comes out the other side with a smile they're proud of carries a little more of that with them. Whether it gets them to the Major Leagues or to the front of a classroom, to a stage or a boardroom or a baseball diamond, confidence matters. It shapes how you carry yourself. How you show up.
Ben Malgeri has shown up in a big way. We couldn't be more thrilled for him.
Congratulations, Ben — from All of Us at Seacoast Braces
To Ben Malgeri and to the Malgeri family: congratulations. From everyone at Seacoast Braces Miller Orthodontics, we are cheering for you louder than anyone. Every time you step onto a Major League field, know that there are people back home in Exeter who are watching, who are proud, and who remember you from before any of this — when you were just a kid with a great future ahead of you.
You've always had that smile. Now the whole country gets to see it.
Start Your Own Smile Journey with Seacoast Braces
At Seacoast Braces Miller Orthodontics, we've been helping patients of all ages achieve confident smiles for over 30 years. Dr. Richard Miller is a board-certified orthodontist and New Hampshire's longest-standing Invisalign provider, serving families throughout Exeter, Dover, and the greater Seacoast region.
Whether you're looking for braces for your child, Invisalign for a teen, or discreet adult orthodontic treatment, we'd love to meet you. We offer free consultations and flexible payment options to make great care accessible for every family.
Ready to see what's possible? Request your free consultation todayย โ and take the first step toward a smile you'll be proud to share.