Barbara’s Smile in a Day

Barbara’s Smile in a Day

Barbara Porter had both her full upper and lower jaws of teeth replaced on Smile in a Day dental implants at the TDC Implant Centre in Harley Street.

“I’m living proof that it can be done in a day!”*

Pain and embarrassment for many years

“I had real issues with gum disease. A lot of it was hereditary, some of it was medical. I was in pain 24 hours a day.

I literally couldn’t eat anything without it being incredibly painful. If it didn’t dissolve in the mouth, if it wasn’t mashed potato or something like that, I was struggling. Towards the end, it was even a struggle to bite a sandwich. It was really, really tough.

Having problem teeth also affects your self-confidence. If you haven’t got a nice smile, you feel embarrassed, and that’s really hard if you have a customer-facing job like I do.

I never wanted to smile and never wanted to go out so, unless I was going to work, I avoided all other social interactions. It was it was pretty grim.”

I avoided being in family photos

“I wouldn’t want to take part in family photographs, and even just talking was difficult.

I’m quite a sociable person but I felt people were always looking at my teeth, so I didn’t want to talk. It was a real difficult time.”

Dentists blamed me – they were very judgmental

“The dentists I went to see made me feel it was all my fault. They were very judgmental.

I wasted thousands and thousands of pounds on treatment that should never have been given and know now that it probably sped up the process of the failing teeth.”

It just became too much

“Eventually it came to a head. It was impacting on every area of my life. Pain-wise it was just too much. For any family occasion or work event, I had to study the menu before I went to work out what I might be able to eat. I couldn’t eat anything too hot, or drink anything to cold. It really did impact my everyday life.”

Finding TDC Implant Centres

“I researched an awful lot online, including doing the whole Turkey thing, but that was too risky for me.

I went to a number of places for consultations, but they always ended up saying I couldn’t have implants because I didn’t have enough bone.

Then I found TDC through a website search. I just booked in for a consultation, and we started the whole process.”

My initial consultation

“I was very nervous just going for the consultation. I was probably very close to tears, if I wasn’t crying already, I can’t actually remember now!

To even be in the room sitting on the sofa, not even on the dentist chair, that was a huge step. So when Anthony came in and immediately put me at ease, I did think, gosh, okay, we may have found somewhere.

He said to me, “We can help you. This is where you start. This is this is how we fix it. And this is what will happen.”

It was such a different experience than everywhere else I’d experienced. I’m just really, really glad I found TDC.”

Arriving on surgery day – I was so nervous

“The surgery day was intense. I was the most afraid I think I’ve ever been in my entire life but it’s definitely not as scary as you think it’s going to be.

I arrived at about 7.30am. Anthony was here, and Michael (lead surgeon), and the anaesthetist, Nico. They all met with me individually and told me exactly what was going to happen.

The day went by really quickly, thanks to the conscious sedation. By half past four I was done, and my mum came to collect me.”

My new teeth – it was quite overwhelming

“It’s hard to explain how it feels to walk in with your old teeth, embarrassed, shameful of what they look like. Then, fast forward eight hours and going out with what looked like your old teeth.

It was quite overwhelming. Looking in the mirror for the first time, it was incredible. I’d been very worried about how they would look but I didn’t need to be. Even though they were the temporary teeth, they were amazing. I wanted them quite natural-looking still and they had worked a miracle.”

There was literally no pain

“If I could have gone for full sedation, I definitely would have, because I was so scared. I was expecting an awful lot of pain, but conscious sedation was wonderful.

Nico is an absolute master of his art.

There was literally no pain, not even with the injection going in. it was absolutely fine, and definitely not something to worry about.

In fact, the pain from the gum disease was far worse than anything with the treatment and surgery.

Once I was home, I took over-the-counter ibuprofen and paracetamol, and used ice packs. Ice packs will be your friend! But apart from that, nothing at all.”

Full of confidence now – and loving life

“Confidence-wise it’s made a massive difference. In all my pictures from before – no smiling, always closed mouth. Now I’m like a Cheshire cat. I’ve got teeth in every single photograph!

A side effect of brimming with renewed confidence is that now I can speak to anybody and I do lots of presentations at work.

I just would never have wanted to do any of that beforehand. It’s really, really nice.

And now I’m out all the time!

Prior to surgery, there was pretty much nothing I could eat. Now I can now eat absolutely anything. We are talking steaks, we are talking corn on the cob, we’re talking apples – literally everything. I haven’t actually come across anything that I can’t eat now.

The treatment has literally changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it really has.”

It’s an investment

“I did battle with the cost a bit as it’s a real investment. Could I really spend this money on myself?

So I had a chat with my daughter who convinced me it was the right thing to do. I had her full backing and it’s been completely life-changing.”

My care at TDC Implant Centres

“From the very first appointment, and even before that – from the very first phone call – they are absolutely lovely people. They really make you feel at ease.

They are very, very knowledgeable. They take you through everything, and listen to your concerns.

You will not find a better practice to go through the treatment. It is second to none.

I’m very, very blessed that I found this place.”

Book your free consultation

If you’re considering dental implant treatment due to loose and missing teeth, or dentures, book your free, no obligation consultation*. We have TDC Implant Centres in Harley Street, London and Folkestone in Kent. To book your no-obligation consultation, call 0800 012 2086 to speak with one of our friendly Patient Advisors.

About Smile in a Day dental implants

*Smile in a Day is an advanced dental implant technique where implant surgery and a full set of fixed teeth are placed on the same day. About three months later, once the bone has integrated with the dental implants, these temporary teeth are exchanged for the final long-lasting set. This is a non-surgical appointment.