Happy Thanksgiving! All of us at Utah Facial & Oral Surgery are thankful to be serving South Jordan, Riverton, and the greater Salt Lake City region. We love seeing how our work helps our patients become healthier, happier, and more confident when they smile. To give back this year, we launched our Second Chance program, which helps a member of this community gain a new smile and improve their overall health.
Many people suffer from poor dental health, and having missing or failing teeth can dramatically affect a person’s life. The Second Chance program allows one deserving community member to receive a full dental restoration, performed by our expert surgical team, free of charge. The number of applications we received further illustrates the need for quality oral surgical care in our local community, and we look forward to serving this community for years to come.
Though it was difficult to choose a single recipient, loving father and auto mechanic Rodney Allen was the first recipient of two complimentary full-arch replacements. Rodney’s daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at a young age. She was given only three months to live, but Rodney focused all his energy on finding a way to treat and care for his daughter. Now, over ten years after the initial diagnosis, Rodney is a single father, and his daughter is currently being treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute, where they have been able to control the seizures and other effects of the cancer.
Supporting his daughter for all these years left little time for Rodney to care for his own health. Limited access to insurance has kept Rodney from seeing a dentist for years. When we met him, he had only one tooth left in his top arch, and seven on the bottom. His missing teeth caused pain and swelling, and eating certain foods was extremely difficult for him. We felt very lucky to meet Rodney and hear his story. We wanted to give something back to someone who has given so much for others.
After receiving the All-on-4® Treatment Concept, where four dental implants are placed in the jaw to support a new arch of beautiful, white teeth, Rodney feels much more confident in his smile. Before treatment, he felt held back by his teeth. He is currently wearing a temporary prosthetic while his implants heal, which allows him to smile with confidence. Once his permanent, custom set of teeth is placed, he will be able to eat whatever he chooses.
The whole team at Utah Facial & Oral Surgery thanks Rodney for sharing his story, and we are happy to be able to change his life in such a positive way. If you are interested in learning about our tooth restoration options contact us today, and have a happy Thanksgiving!