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466 N Main Street, STE 100
Clearfield, UT 84015

Michael S. Affleck, DDS
DENTIST and PROSTHODONTIST

Michael S. Affleck, DDS
DENTIST & PROSTHODONTIST

A Life-Changing Smile Makeover for a Patient with Sjögren’s Disease

Wyoming

May 2026

Service Type:

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Customer Situation:

Presley lives with Sjögren's disease, an autoimmune condition that drastically reduces saliva production. Without adequate saliva, the mouth's natural pH balance breaks down, leaving teeth highly vulnerable to decay — a process that Dr. Affleck compared to the oral damage seen in patients who have undergone head and neck radiation therapy. Over the years, the breakdown was extensive: sensitivity spread across her teeth, and simple foods like peanut butter and jelly, cake, and ice cream became impossible to eat due to pain. The consequences extended beyond her mouth. Because Sjögren's also impairs nutrient absorption throughout the body, combined with her inability to eat many foods, Presley lost a significant amount of weight. The cycle of pain, dietary restriction, and poor absorption made recovery difficult on its own. Seeking treatment locally in Wyoming, she received a consultation that put the cost of full restoration at $50,000 — an amount that put comprehensive care out of reach. After asking around, she found Affleck Dental, scheduled a free consultation, and made the roughly two-hour drive to their office.

Proposed Solution:

Following a thorough assessment, the team at Affleck Dental proposed a full mouth reconstruction — individual porcelain crowns placed on all 28 of Presley's natural teeth. Critically, no extractions were necessary; all of her natural roots were preserved throughout the procedure. The treatment plan prioritized long-term stability by completing gum therapy first and allowing full healing before any permanent crowns were placed. Temporary crowns were fitted and worn for approximately eight weeks during the healing phase. Once the gum tissue was healthy and stable, the final 28 individual crowns were placed and adjusted for fit, comfort, and appearance. The entire process spanned five to six visits, including the initial consultation, preparatory appointments, an adjustment visit, and the final placement. To protect the investment long-term — especially given her ongoing Sjögren's diagnosis — Presley was set up with a personalized maintenance regimen: ClinPro fluoride toothpaste, a gum-protective rinse, regular professional cleanings, and avoidance of sugary beverages. With consistent care, her crowns are expected to last a lifetime.

Customer's Questions

What is recommended to someone with Sjogren's for protecting teeth before and after having working done?:

Use ClinPro or other floride toothpaste when brushing. In addition dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 2 cups of water. Swish with this fluid several times a day to keep your mouth's baseline pH higher. This protects teeth before cosmetic and restorative work, and protects the microscopic crown margins between the crowns and gums afterwards.

Before and After Photos

Full Interview

Let’s start with the first question. How was it?

It was amazing. Very good.

And so, what was amazing about it? Did you have any consultations with other dentists you can do some comparison with?

I did. I had my local dentist here. I’m from Wyoming. I went and had a consultation with them. I actually have Sjögren’s disease, so I have a lot of damage to my teeth just from the dry mouth and everything else, and the dentist here gave me a breakdown. It was going to be $50,000 for them to do my teeth. That’s when I decided I needed to ask around.

So I ended up calling and got my free consultation with Dr. Affleck, went down, and they gave me the breakdown cost, and it was a dramatic cost difference. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and at ease. There was never any pressure from anyone at the office to get me to be a patient. It was very laid back. They just said, hey, this is what we see, this is what it’s going to cost. I gave them the estimate from the other dentist, and they were like, that’s rough.

From receptionist to everyone, everyone was amazing. Any questions I had, I could call and get the support and answers I needed. I did call a few times during the initial process because it was very shocking, and I was always met with kindness. I never felt like I was a burden with any of my questions or even the tears that I cried during the process.

Tears of joy or tears of, oh no, I’m losing my teeth for good?

Well, I didn’t really lose them for good. With the temporaries, it was the day after I came home and I still had some pain. The temporaries are kind of an overwhelming experience that I was not ready for. Looking in the mirror, I was very distraught with how my teeth looked. So I called and said, hey, I’m not okay. I cried to three or four different people that day, and they kept calling me back and reassuring me, this is not the end, and not to panic.

Yeah, they’ve been there before with patients who are probably also concerned because the temporaries are nowhere as good as the final crowns.

Yeah. And when I fully came to after sedation, I was like, what did I just do to my face? So they were very reassuring. And the end product is the best thing that’s ever happened.

So tell me, the only information I have is that you had crowns put on your natural teeth, but you said temporary.

Yes, the temporary crowns were on my teeth for close to eight weeks. We had to do a lot of gum work and let everything heal before doing the final crowns. The temporaries were kind of big and bulky, but now I have individual crowns on all 28 of my teeth.

Okay, so it was all crowns, but you still have all your 28 natural teeth.

Yes, well, I still have the roots. No extractions.

Thank you. Now you’ve got me curious—I just looked up Sjögren’s. Am I saying that right? What do you know about Sjögren’s and its effect on the teeth? Is it mainly dry mouth affecting the exposed tooth above the gum?

I believe so. I produce very little saliva, so the pH balance in my mouth is not great. I have a lot of decay and breakdown of my natural teeth. I was unable to eat a lot of things due to sensitivity, and I actually lost a lot of weight through the process.

I’m only about 99 pounds right now. I hadn’t eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in over two and a half years because the sugar in the jelly hurt too much. Same with things like cake and ice cream with my kids—those were off the table.

From what I understand, saliva protects teeth; which plays a huge role in oral health.

Yes. Saliva helps protect the teeth, and without it, sugar and pH imbalance can cause rapid decay. My dentist even compared my mouth to someone who had gone through head and neck radiation.

That’s rough. So could these crowns potentially last a lifetime?

Yes, as long as I keep up with cleanings and use fluoride toothpaste and take care of the gum line.

What regimen are you on?

ClinPro toothpaste, Listerine for gums, and I stay away from sugary drinks, mostly water. I also take medication that helps stimulate saliva and tear production, but it’s not always effective.

How long have you had Sjögren’s? Was it sudden?

It started after I had my second son in 2016. I had swelling in my glands, then things escalated. I was eventually diagnosed in 2020 during COVID. I also have stage 3A kidney disease because it’s systemic. It affects digestion, so I don’t absorb nutrients well, which contributed to weight loss. Combined with being unable to eat many foods, it became a cycle.

So weight loss is more absorption-related than metabolism?

Yes, my body doesn’t absorb nutrients properly.

Well, I’m glad there’s at least some improvement now.

Yes, I’m hoping to finally eat normally again and regain weight and energy.

How many visits did it take?

About five or six total. First consultation, two prep visits, adjustment visit, then final crowns. I traveled about two hours each way from Wyoming.

That’s quite a drive.

Yes, but absolutely worth it. I recommend them to everyone I know. I even tell people with dentures to go there.

Michael S. Affleck, DDS DENTIST and PROSTHODONTIST