TLC 4 Gums

I started my dental career in Arizona in September of 1995. Early in 1996, four patients joined my practice as new patients: Finlay and Norma, Clay and Jo. They were friends who valued each other's opinions. I can't remember if it was Clay and Jo who referred Finlay and Norma, or vice versa. One thing I do remember is that I provided Clay with my first bridge in the "real world". It was an anterior bridge. He was missing a central incisor ( #9), and his previous bridge was failing. I fabricated a 3-unit Porcelain-Fused-to Metal bridge and a single PFM crown on tooth 7 for symmetry. Even if I do say so myself; it was a nice bridge and crown. These four patients were also very nice, nay... amazing people. They had recently moved to the area from California, if memory serves. They knew that I was alone here, having recently moved from Nebraska, so they "adopted" me as their son. In 2002, Clay developed decay beneath my bridge, so I had to redo it. He had the honor of being my first bridge in the real world, and my first remake of my dental career! This second bridge and crown were Captek restorations with porcelain shoulders. They were even more beautiful than the first ones... very life-like in appearance. Around 2015, there was an issue with Clay and Jo's insurance. Since he was a retired pastor and they were living off of social security, they decided to seek treatment elsewhere with a dentist who was in-network with their insurance. After a year, they decided that there was no substitute for an office that treats you like family and they returned. When they came in, as always, they were all smiles. I took one look at Clay and was mortified. My beautiful bridge and crown were gone. In their place was the most horrific looking zirconia bridge I have ever seen. The other dentist had extracted teeth 8 and 10 and placed a 5-unit zirconia bridge from 7 to 11. Any dentist reading this knows that this is a complete violation of Ante's Law to have a bridge with two anchor teeth and three false teeth. His new smile had no symmetry to it (the dentist should have used 6 teeth to adhere to Ante's Law and to provide symmetry to the smile) and his teeth looked like Chicklets. I've spent the last nine years quietly hoping for decay beneath teeth 7 and 11 so that I can refabricate a much nicer bridge for him. I hated the thought of all those family photos showing such a hideous smile, especially when it used to be so beautiful. I found out today that I won't ever get the chance to give him back his beautiful smile. He passed away Friday with his family at his side. He was 97. He will be missed. We lost Finlay in 2013, he would have been 93 if he were alive today. We lost Norma in 2016, she would have been 98 if she were still alive today. Jo came in to see me today to deliver the news. It's one of those conversations where as soon as the other person opens their mouth to speak, you know what they're going to say. We had a nice conversation and shared some memories, tears and hugs. She is now the very last of my "original" new patients from when I first started practicing in Arizona. My "mom-away-from-home".

"Have you met our amazing dentist, Dr. Wilson? Come see him for all your dental needs. Call 480-661-4867 to schedule an appointment. "

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👨‍⚕️Dr. Gordon Wilson is here to keep your smile healthy and beautiful! From cleanings to fillings, we've got you covered. Call 480-661-4867 to schedule an appointment.