At iHeart Dental, we get to meet some pretty incredible people. One of them is JoAnn Grafton—a 65-year-old artist, Tai Chi instructor, and all-around light of a human being. When JoAnn came to see us, she had been living with a partial denture that never quite fit right and a bite that had always felt a little “off.” She wasn’t in pain, but she knew something wasn’t working the way it should.
She told us she was tired of hiding her smile. More than anything, she wanted to feel like herself again.
This is her story—and we’re honored she let us be a part of it.
Before All-on-X
“I Just Knew Something Wasn’t Right”
JoAnn had a partial upper denture that had been giving her trouble for years. It never felt secure, and it didn’t sit well with the two teeth it clipped onto (which, it turned out, were loose and failing). On top of that, her lower bridge—done at another office—was slanted. You could even see it in her X-ray: one side of her bite sat much higher than the other.
She wasn’t in any immediate pain, but she had jaw discomfort when she ate, and she always felt like she was compensating. Fixing her smile meant more than just improving how it looked—it meant improving how it worked, too.
That’s when we started talking about All-on-X dental implants.
Planning with Precision (and a Little Bit of Art)
With JoAnn, everything had to be just right. And that started with a lot of careful planning.
- We digitally scanned her mouth and created a wax-up to establish her new bite (also called her vertical dimension of occlusion).
- We didn’t want to alter her existing lower bridge, so instead, we evened things out by adding composite to the side that sat lower.
- Then we worked with a specialty lab to custom design her new smile—down to the exact implant positions and multi-unit connectors.
By the time we were ready for surgery, we had everything we needed: 3D-printed guides, a custom surgical smile, and a whole team cheering her on.
The Surgery: A Big Day, A Big Step
Surgery day lasted about six hours, including prep and recovery. With JoAnn comfortably sedated, Dr. Seale removed the two failing canines and performed two sinus lifts, bone grafts, and guided implant placement using the 3D-printed surgical guides.
All in all, six implants and six multi-unit abutments were placed, and her temporary smile was secured the very same day.
JoAnn left that appointment with a brand new smile that wouldn’t budge—and, for the first time in a long time, her bite actually felt balanced.
Life Happens (Even During Healing)
At about the three-month mark—the point when we were planning to move into the next phase—JoAnn was in a serious car accident. Her car flipped, and though she recovered, the trauma caused muscle tension and TMJ symptoms.
Thankfully, none of the implants were affected. Still, we wanted to play it safe, so we extended her healing time to nine months total. JoAnn received Botox treatments to help ease the muscle pain and tension in her jaw so she could heal comfortably.
Trial Smiles, Grandson Honesty, and Finding the One
After JoAnn was fully healed, we brought her back in to test out her trial smiles. These were made out of PMMA (a strong, temporary material) and designed using the digital scans we took during surgery.
The first version? Not quite it.
JoAnn’s grandson told her it looked like she “got new dentures.” She laughed, but she also knew he was right—it wasn’t her. So, we went back and made adjustments.
We talked about things like:
- How the width of her nose should guide the width of the two front teeth
- How lip movement affects tooth length
- Where the teeth should sit front-to-back (nobody wants a “bucky” smile)
It was a collaboration—and JoAnn was part of every step. By the time we landed on the final look, she was glowing. It wasn’t just a better smile. It was hers.
The Final Smile: Solid, Beautiful, and Built to Last
JoAnn’s final smile was crafted from a single block of zirconia, a durable and beautiful material that resists staining and wear. It’s more than cosmetic—it’s functional, long-lasting, and feels like natural teeth.
Once everything was in place and the shade matched just right, we knew we were done.
And the best part? She can smile on camera now. She does—often.
You might’ve even seen her in one of our commercials.
Ongoing Care and Support
JoAnn still comes in for maintenance and regular visits. Like all of our All-on-X patients, she’s part of the iHeart Dental family—and we’re here for her, every step of the way.
All-on-X Results That Speak for Themselves
Before
After
What is All-on-X, Anyway? (FAQs)
What is an All-on-X procedure?
It’s a method of restoring a full arch of teeth using 4 to 6 implants to secure a non-removable prosthetic. It’s a great option if you’ve lost most or all of your teeth or struggle with dentures.
How long does the process take?
Most cases take around 4–6 months from consult to final smile. JoAnn’s took a bit longer (9 months) due to her car accident—but the extra healing time helped ensure the best results.
Can I still get All-on-X if I’ve had dentures for years?
Yes! Many of our patients have worn dentures for a long time before switching to implants. We can often work with existing bone—or add grafts if needed.
What makes iHeart Dental different?
We don’t rush. We plan every detail. And we care deeply about how your smile feels—not just how it looks. With advanced digital planning, an artistic touch, and a focus on comfort, we aim to make every smile as unique as the person wearing it.
After All-on-X
JoAnn’s Story Could Be Yours
JoAnn Grafton didn’t just get a new smile. She got her confidence back. She got to laugh with her grandson, teach her students without worrying about her denture slipping, and feel like herself again.
If you’ve been living with a smile that doesn’t fit—or doesn’t feel like you—we’d love to help.
Come visit us at iHeart Dental in Rincon, GA. Let’s talk about what’s possible.
Misty M. Seale, DMD
Dr. Misty M. Seale, DMD, a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, specializes in general, preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and is the proud owner of iHeart Dental. Her practice emphasizes comfort, convenience, and personalized patient care, providing a cozy environment that feels like a home away from home. Outside of her passion for dentistry, Dr. Seale enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and Jeeping.
A Smile is the Key to Everybody’s Heart
We are dedicated to providing the highest-level dental care in a comfortable and relaxed setting while giving love, compassion, and respect for our patients and their dental needs leading to a healthier smile.