When Wendy first walked through our doors, she was ready for a change. After years of wearing dentures that never quite felt right, she wanted something better, something that truly felt like her. Her previous dentist didn’t offer dentures with implant options, so she was referred to us at iHeart Dental in Rincon, GA, to see if we could help.
From the very first conversation, it was clear that Wendy’s story was about more than teeth. It was about confidence, comfort, and getting back the smile she had been missing for over two decades.
Wendy’s Initial Smile Photos
Understanding Wendy’s Story – From Denture Frustration to Hope
Back in 2020, Wendy was 45 years old, married, semi-retired, and raising her 8-year-old granddaughter full-time. She told us, “I hate my dentures, and I want implants.” For more than 20 years, she had been living without natural teeth and never felt comfortable with her dentures.
When we first met her, Wendy often took photos without her dentures in. She didn’t like how they changed her face, and honestly, we understood why. After doing a thorough examination, we could see the dentures didn’t fit properly; the teeth were too long, and without them, her mouth had collapsed inward, a common issue when someone has been without teeth for a long time.
The jawbone atrophies and shrinks when it isn’t supporting teeth. The lips lose fullness, and the face looks sunken. Wendy’s thin lips and the shape of her jawline made this even more noticeable. Although we had some challenges to overcome, she was hopeful, and we were excited to help her get the smile and the confidence she deserved.
The iHeart Dental Approach – Designing a Personalized Treatment Plan
Before moving straight to implants, we started by making Wendy a new set of traditional dentures for her upper and lower arches. This gave us a chance to see how different shapes and sizes affected her face and how much support she needed for her lips and cheeks.
We used try-in dentures so she could see her smile in real time. This step also helped us visualize how much her appearance improved when her face was properly supported. Once we found the look that worked best for her, we scanned the dentures and uploaded them into our digital system to help design her final implant prosthesis.
These early steps were important. They allowed us to blend art and technology, to create a smile that didn’t just look good, but one that looked right for Wendy.
Wendy’s Try-in Dentures
Choosing the Right Solution – Implant-Supported Overdentures
Once we had the perfect design, we sat down with Wendy to talk about her implant options. We discussed both All-on-X bridges (which are permanently attached) and implant-supported overdentures (which “snap” in and can be removed at night).
Both options offer stability and function, but each comes with unique benefits. For Wendy, the overdenture made the most sense. It would give her a beautiful new smile with stability and retention while giving her the lip support for a better facial profile.
Dr. Seale walked her through the pros and cons, including maintenance and cost, to help her make the best decision. Wendy appreciated having a clear explanation—she wanted something that fit her lifestyle and would look natural. Together, we decided to move forward with implant-supported overdentures.
The Transformation – Seeing Her Smile Again
Wendy’s treatment included six implants on the upper arch and two on the lower, supporting her new custom overdentures. Once everything healed and we placed the final prosthesis, her transformation was nothing short of amazing.
Her new smile brought structure back to her face. Her lips looked fuller, her jawline was balanced, and her expression looked years younger. She even dyed her hair to celebrate her new look. It was like meeting a whole new Wendy.
Seeing her reaction reminded all of us why we love what we do. When a patient looks in the mirror and truly feels like themselves again, that’s what makes all the work worthwhile.
Life After Treatment – Keeping Her Smile Healthy
Today, Wendy comes in once a year for simple maintenance. Over time, the small locator attachments that help her overdentures “snap” into place wear down slightly, so we replace them to keep everything feeling snug and comfortable.
Regular visits like this help her smile stay secure and looking great. Wendy says her implants have changed the way she feels about herself and the way she shows up in photos, too. She’s proud of her smile now, and that’s exactly the goal we set out to achieve together.
After Full Mouth Restoration
A Smile Worth Sharing -The iHeart Dental Difference
Wendy’s story is one we’ll never forget. It’s a reminder that restoring a smile can do so much more than improve oral health; it can bring back confidence, happiness, and self-expression.
At iHeart Dental, we take pride in helping people like Wendy find solutions that fit their needs, goals, and budget. Every patient deserves to feel proud of their smile, and our team is here to make that happen in a warm, welcoming environment.
If you’re ready to explore dental implants in Rincon, GA, or want to learn more about implant-supported dentures, we’d love to meet you. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward a smile you’ll love to share.
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.