After struggling with his teeth for years, our patient David now has a smile he loves. And to mark International Day of Happiness, he wants to share how undergoing the All-on-4 treatment at one80 Dental has changed his life.
David’s lifelong teeth troubles
When he was a boy, David had too many teeth and had his first operation when he was at school. He later broke his teeth, had multiple crowns and gum disease. David thought a denture would give him the smile he wanted, but it wasn’t right for him.
David worked in special educational needs and disability schools – while he wanted to be fluent and articulate in meetings or during public speaking, difficulties with his teeth knocked his confidence.
They also affected his passion as a singer-songwriter. He was often frustrated that some of his vocals were unusable during recording sessions, and would avoid songs with S’s and sibilance when singing live.
He said: “I got into my mid-60s, and realised I’ve never had teeth that I felt confident about. In particular, dentures were a struggle when I was talking or singing.”
After living with difficulties for over 60 years, David was determined to make a change: “I thought that ‘however long I’m going to live now I would like to spend part of my life with decent teeth’.”
What treatment was right for David?
Now retired, David wanted a smile he can be confident in.
He went to see his dentist in Chesterfield, who referred him to one80 Dental. David then had an appointment with Nigel Rosenbaum, our Specialist in Prosthodontics, to learn why the All-on-4 technique was right for him.
“Well, my first impression of one80 Dental was that it was all very modern, high-tech, and approachable. What I look for is a culture or an atmosphere as you walk through a door. I did this throughout my career doing inspections in school.” said David. “It either gives you confidence or makes you question the place. When you’re having something quite intimate done, you need to have total trust that these people know what they’re doing.”
David’s All-on-4 journey started there. The treatment uses dental implants to support a fixed bridge which replaces a full arch of upper or lower teeth. Or in David’s case, both.
Nigel showed David how the technique would work and how his new smile would look. The pair very quickly bonded over their love for music: “I looked forward to my treatment, which may sound strange when people are doing this major work,” said David. “But the most important thing is that you go feeling confident.”
Throughout the treatment, we worked hard to make sure David felt supported and guided. And importantly, he knew exactly what was going to happen and when.
David’s now finished the All-on-4 treatment, but was it worth it?
Although he’s now retired so doesn’t do any public speaking, David no longer has to struggle with the day-to-day issues he used to have. He can now eat what he wants, without worrying. And loves talking to his 2-year-old grandson.
Undergoing the treatment has enabled David to get back to his favourite hobby, singing. He now writes songs and sings them the way he wants to, something he couldn’t do beforehand!
On the way his life has changed, David said: “People won’t want to leave the house if they have a bad hair day. But if you’ve got a bad teeth day, every day, you tend to not like making phone calls or anything. And now I don’t think about that.”
We’re delighted to have helped David feel like himself again and to have given him a smile he loves.
“I’d recommend the All-on-4 treatment as far as you can to anybody unequivocally. I think if people were doubtful, then they should visit one80 Dental and get all the information. And I think anybody who stepped through the door would be totally reassured and think, actually if anybody’s going to do the treatment, these people will do it.”
If you’re like David and want to love your smile, but may need to replace some of your teeth, contact us on 0114 350 3180 to find out how one80 Dental could help.
