My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 3, Deciding To Move Forward.

My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 3, Deciding To Move Forward. I’ve officially made my decision about dental implants, and in just a few days, I’ll be sitting down for my first consultation with a dental group. I won’t mention the name yet, simply because I may speak with more than one practice before choosing the right fit. This is too important of a decision to rush.

Deciding to move forward with dental implants wasn’t easy. For years, I went back and forth, debating the risks, the procedure, the recovery, and how something this major might affect my daily life. After a lot of thought, reflection, and discussion with my wife, I realized it was time. This is not a journey I ever expected to share publicly, but here we are.

Read My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 2.

Two Treatment Plans, One Tough Choice

At my most recent dental visit, I was presented with two very different treatment plans.

The first option focused on saving my remaining teeth and rehabilitating my smile over time. It involved multiple procedures, significant discomfort, and a long road of ongoing dental work. The second option was full-mouth dental implants, a complete reset. My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 3, Deciding To Move Forward.

What surprised me most was the cost. The implant option came in nearly $20,000 less than the extensive work required to preserve my existing teeth. That said, money wasn’t the deciding factor. This decision was about long-term health, comfort, and finally putting decades of dental struggles behind me.

A Lifetime of Dental Challenges

Dental problems have followed me for most of my life. It started in childhood with an accident that broke my two front teeth. Root canals and crowns followed, but the issues never really stopped.

As a teenager, I had braces, which required several teeth to be pulled to make room. Certain medications stained my teeth, and over time, those stains worsened. On top of that, I have a thick jawbone and extra bone growth, which makes traditional dentures doubtful for me.

These problems weren’t just cosmetic. They affected my confidence, my comfort, and my overall health.

Adding to all of this was a deep-rooted dental phobia. This wasn’t mild nervousness, it was full-blown anxiety that started weeks before any appointment. Like many people, I avoided the dentist for years. As crowns failed and teeth deteriorated, hiding the damage became harder. I even grew a mustache to cover what I jokingly called my “Snagglepuss” teeth. My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 3, Deciding To Move Forward.

It worked, until it didn’t.

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The Tipping Point

Eventually, pain forced my hand. Two molars cracked beyond repair and had to be extracted. After talking it through with my wife, I knew I couldn’t put this off any longer.

I was upfront with the dental team about my fear, and they listened. That’s when the two treatment plans were laid out clearly. Saving what I had left would mean years of ongoing procedures. Dental implants, while a bigger step upfront, offered a permanent solution.

That’s when things became clear. If I was going to face my fear, I wanted to do it once, and do it right.

Why I Chose Dental Implants

After decades of frustration, here’s why dental implants made the most sense for me:

Appearance
As the host of a nationally syndicated radio show, Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, my smile has been a constant source of insecurity. I’ve avoided photos and hidden behind facial hair for years. Dental implants represent a chance to smile confidently again, something I honestly haven’t done in a very long time.

Health
Poor oral health isn’t isolated to the mouth. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions. Fixing my dental issues now is about improving my overall health, not just my smile.

Comfort
Chewing shouldn’t hurt, but for me, it has. Cracked molars and failing crowns made eating uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Implants promise a return to normal, being able to enjoy food again without thinking twice.

One of my biggest concerns was speech. Talking clearly is essential in radio. Thankfully, a close friend who recently had full-mouth implants reassured me. After a short adjustment period, her speech returned to normal, which gave me a lot of peace of mind. My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 3, Deciding To Move Forward.

What Comes Next

In Part 4, I’ll share what happens during my consultation. I plan to document every step of this process openly and honestly, the good, the uncomfortable, and everything in between.

This decision wasn’t easy, but it feels right. And for the first time in a long time, I’m actually looking forward to what’s ahead.

Read My Journey to Dental Implants: Part 2.