The Dental Implant Diaries: Reconstructing His Smile, Reconstructing His Life

By: Britely

The Dental Implant Diaries are brought to you by contributing authors who generously offered to share their stories for anyone who might need a little inspiration on their smile journey. Names have been changed to protect privacy.

After spending more than three decades working in construction, John Simmons, 68, from Scottsdale, AZ, is enjoying his well-earned retirement. However, his life wasn’t always as carefree as it is now. John had to deal with the pain and embarrassment of losing most of his teeth due to an accident at work and years of wear and tear. Today, he proudly shares how dental implants transformed his life for the better. 

The Hard Consequences of Hard Work 

I worked in construction for over 35 years, and let me tell you, it’s hard work. Over time, my teeth started to wear down, but things took a turn for the worse after an accident on-site about 10 years ago. I was hit in the face by some falling debris, and it knocked out several of my front teeth. The impact messed up more than just my appearance—it really hurt my confidence, too. 

At first, I tried to get by with a partial denture. I didn’t know much about implants, and back then, I thought dentures were just the way to go when you lost teeth. But those dentures were a hassle. They felt loose, and I’d constantly worry about them slipping out, especially when I was talking or eating. I remember avoiding steak dinners, not because I didn’t want it, but because chewing with the dentures was just too difficult. Honestly, I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I wasn’t smiling much either—I was too self-conscious. 

Time to Make a Change: From Dentures to Dental Implants, Never Looking Back 

After a few years of dealing with dentures, I started hearing more about implants. At first, I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I went to a consultation just to see what my options were. What really sold me was hearing from other folks who had implants and how life-changing it was for them. I wanted that, too. I wanted to bite into a sandwich without worrying about my teeth falling out! And, honestly, I was tired of feeling embarrassed about my smile. 

I was nervous about the surgery, but my dentist made me feel comfortable right from the start. He explained every step of the process, from the initial scans to the implant placement. And you know what? The actual procedure wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. There was some soreness afterward, but nothing compared to the pain of dealing with dentures all those years. 

A Life Changing Experience 

I don’t know where to begin on how incredible the change has been. First of all, I can eat anything I want now. No more avoiding certain foods. I’m back to enjoying steaks, apples—you name it! Plus, I don’t think twice about smiling. My friends and family have noticed the change, too. I’m more confident, and I don’t feel like I have to hide my teeth. I also feel younger, oddly enough, and I didn’t expect that. 

My advice is simple—don’t wait. If you’re thinking about getting implants, go for that consultation. I spent years dealing with dentures when I didn’t have to. Dental implants gave me my life back, and I wish I had done it sooner. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

I hope folks realize they don’t have to settle if they’re facing similar challenges. Life’s too short to not enjoy your food—or your smile. 

John’s journey from tooth loss to a full, confident smile is an inspiring testament to the power of modern dental implants. For him, it was a chance to reclaim not just his ability to eat and speak comfortably, but also his sense of self-worth. Whether it’s because of an accident, aging, or other issues, if you’re dealing with missing teeth, dental implants could be the solution to transform your life just like they did for John. 

It can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate your options for smile restoration, we know! That’s why our consultations are always complimentary, and we can help you find resources to help you through the dentures or implants decision making process. We offer dental implants to fix both diseased and missing teeth. Implants are a great replacement, as they can last a lifetime and are immune to disease.