Question: Tell me a little bit about your background, where you’re from, and how you arrived at the point where you needed, I guess you probably had dentures before, I don’t know, but before you got your snap-in dentures, can you give me a little history?
Okay, well, yeah, I’m in my 60s. I’ll be 67 this year. I was in the military, did 20 years, got out, and then ended up doing federal service for another 20 years. I was never one to really take care of my teeth that well. I never got into the habit of flossing. I did the best I could over the years, but there were a lot of times I could have had appointments for gingivitis. I know I had issues with gingivitis over the years, but I never followed through with significant treatment. I did here and there, but it was never consistent.
My teeth started receding, the gum line started receding. My lower front teeth, I actually had a splint or a stint in the front because I think I bumped my lower teeth so they were fixed and glued to one another. Anyway, my teeth weren’t the greatest.
About two years ago, I lost a tooth while I was riding dirt bikes in the Mojave Desert in California. I ended up losing a tooth while I was riding down there. I ran around for quite a while without a tooth. It was the second one from the front, so it wasn’t the greatest feeling, but I managed through it.
At that point, I knew I needed to do something. So I decided, well, I’m just going to go ahead, and have it all done.
So a total of one tooth that was missing. But every all the other teeth had significant recession.
Where are you from in Utah?
I grew up in Palmdale, California, joined the military, and have been in Utah since 1986. I live in Layton.
Question: And you were worried you might lose the rest of your teeth soon?
Yes. I lost one and knew it was just a matter of time before the next one became problematic. I was fortunate over the years to never have significant toothaches or severe pain, but there were instances of toothaches from dry sockets or other issues.
My wife, she started seeing Dr. Affleck when his office was in Ogden.
Oh, so a long time ago.
Yeah, a long time ago, and she’s had dentures. She’s had dentures for over 20 years, my wife.
Question: So that may answer my next question — why did you chose Affleck?
Yes, because of my wife.
Yes, and that was never even a question for her. I don’t even know when she had her dentures, suggested anything like that, like what I had.
Question: So does she plan to upgrade?
I do believe so yep, yep. I can’t imagine she won’t.
It will be interesting if she’s a candidate because after 20 years of dentures, bone mass is a concern.
A couple of my teeth required bone grafting to create support for implants, so I figured they might be able to do that for her too.
That would require a consultation. Every case is different. Dr. Affleck is great—there’s no pressure. You just get information and decide.
I can vouch for that. I started looking into implants and dentures two or three years ago. My first quote for upper and lower was around six or seven thousand dollars, maybe closer to nine or ten thousand. I have four implants on the top and four on the bottom.
So you have good support with those snap-ons.
Yes. It was scary. I went in yesterday after six months, and they placed the O-ring retainers and everything. Watching them work was incredible. I was impressed. I told them they really rocked it.
So you had most of your teeth removed and went to snap-in dentures on both top and bottom?
No, I didn’t have that many teeth. My lower teeth were maybe nine, maybe fewer. My back molars were gone years ago. Same on the top and bottom.
And that’s why bone grafting was needed on the upper jaw.
Okay so you had nine teeth on the bottom how many on the top?
10
What’s the experience of eating now versus when you had 10 on top and 9 on the bottom ?
I just got my teeth placed yesterday around noon. I went the whole day without eating until about 7 p.m., then I had a salad. It was unbelievable — the difference. Being able to eat a bowl of salad compared to before is amazing. I’m still getting used to them. Before they were connected to implants, they were floating like regular dentures and moved around. Now the fit is much better.
Your temporaries weren’t connected to implants?
No, they just sat in.
And now your new teeth are fully fitted.
Yes, it’s amazing. I’m thankful.
Any thoughts or complaints or surprises you’d want to share?
Trust them. They know what they’re doing. One of the employees said she learned a lot working there. It’s a great place. My experience has been phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for more.