Have you ever known someone who just believed they weren’t going to make it past a certain age?
For my father-in-law, Troy, that number was 65. And as heartbreaking as that was to hear, what broke my heart even more was realizing that part of the reason he felt that way was something that could be fixed: his teeth.
This is the story of how one tough conversation — and a little push from someone who loved him — completely changed my dad’s future.
The Father's Day That Changed Everything
Last Father’s Day, I wanted to do something special. I bought the biggest, juiciest ribeye steaks you could imagine — because every dad deserves a steak on his day, right?
I was so excited I called Troy, my father-in-law, to share about what I had planned.
But instead of excitement on the other end of the line, there was... silence. Awkward, heavy silence.
Finally, he said, “Son, I can’t eat a steak.”
When I asked him why he couldn’t, he changed the subject. But when he arrived at the house, sitting across the dinner table with his wife and my wife, the truth finally came out.
He had no teeth left to chew with — just four teeth in the front of his bottom jaw. He had been secretly losing teeth for years. And we didn’t have any idea.
What Happened Next
But what he said next hit me like a ton of bricks:
“Every man in my family dies before 65. Every time I look in the mirror and see my teeth... it’s a reminder that my time is almost up.”
He was only 58 years old and he truly believed he was already living on borrowed time.
In that moment, I decided something: I wasn’t going to let him give up on life.
I work for Nuvia Dental Implant Center and knew that dental implants could help him.
The only problem: convincing him wasn’t going to be easy.
How I Convinced Him: Overcoming His 3 Big Fears
I asked Troy to give me the three reasons he hadn’t fixed his teeth yet and he agreed — if I could solve all three, he’d get dental implants.
Fear #1: "I Can’t Afford It."
Like a lot of people, Troy isn’t a millionaire. He thought dental implants were a luxury he could never afford.
So I handed him the same Dental Implant Cost Guide we give everyone who’s curious.
It lays out exactly what impacts dental implant cost. There are no surprises and no hidden fees.
When Troy found out how much his new smile was going to cost, it was WAY more affordable than either of us thought it could be.
(You can check out the same Cost Guide here if you’re wondering about cost too.)
Fear #2: "I Don’t Have Time for Endless Appointments."
Troy had seen his brother Glenn go through a traditional dental implant process… It took 8 months before he had his permanent teeth.
He had to visit the dentist 15–20 times. Troy simply couldn’t afford to be in and out of work like that.
The good news I was about to share with Troy is that at Nuvia, he won’t be in and out of work for dozens of appointments like that.
Nuvia has a unique approach. They are experts in permanent teeth in 24 hours.
Instead of waiting months and months for final teeth, you get your permanent teeth in just 24 hours.
Not healing teeth (temps). Not placeholders. Permanent zirconia teeth.
One day you’ll have the dental implants placed and the next, you’ll return to have your final, permanent teeth placed.
Troy had no idea that was possible. His whole face changed when I told him.
(You can see if you may be a candidate for permanent teeth in 24 hours with this 60-second quiz)
Fear #3: "I Don’t Want to Be Awake During Surgery."
This one I totally understood. Troy didn’t want to be awake while the surgeon pulled his teeth and placed implants.
He didn’t know that a lot of providers don’t offer full anesthesia because it costs them extra to bring in a CRNA (a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). Either it’s not offered, or that extra cost is passed on to the patient.
Typical dental implant providers who don’t offer sedation just numb you up locally... and you’re awake for the whole thing. This is a big red flag for a lot of people, Troy included.
At Nuvia, every patient is fully asleep during surgery, monitored by a CRNA whose only job is keeping you safe — just like you'd expect in a hospital. At no extra cost.
Meanwhile, the oral & maxillofacial surgeon (not general dentist) only focuses on the surgery — no multitasking.
The Hardest Part — And The Best Part
He took the 60-second quiz to see if he could be a candidate that night. And turns out, he was a great candidate for permanent teeth in 24 hours.
The Moment Everything Changed
Twenty-four hours after surgery, Troy saw himself with his permanent teeth for the first time.
He cried. We all cried.
We took him out to dinner — chicken alfredo — and for the first time in years, he chewed with back teeth.
Beyond being able to eat food again, his improved oral health began to change his overall health as well. A few months after getting his dental implants, he went to his cardiologist who had previously seen some concerning irregularities with his heartbeat. This time they told him: “Your heart is perfectly fine. Everything is good”.
Troy believes getting rid of those bad, infected teeth and improving his oral health with dental implants saved his overall health.
Oral health doesn’t just impact teeth. It can either take a toll on your whole body or it can contribute to you feeling good and healthy.
Taking care of your oral health is about living longer, feeling better, and knowing you’re not stuck just waiting for the end.
The Hardest Part
But I’ll be honest... it wasn’t smooth sailing the whole way.
After surgery, Troy was very swollen. He told me he had looked in the mirror and said, “What have I done? Why did I do this?”
But I told him what the Nuvia team tells patients: Give it five days. The swelling will go down. It’s not going to last forever. Wait until you see your new smile.
Despite the swelling (which did go down), Troy was able to enjoy his permanent set of teeth right away. For Troy, and other patients, full mouth dental implants are life-changing. Sure there is bound to be some adjustment. But as so many patients report, the adjustment period is quick and their new smile is well worth all of it.
Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Always Stand Behind What We Do
Look, I know I work at Nuvia. You might think, “Of course he’s saying this.”
But this isn’t about a job. It’s about seeing firsthand — in someone I love — how dental implants gave him back hope and his quality of life.
His ability to eat, hope to live, and a new belief that his best days weren’t already behind him.
If you're wondering if dental implants might be right for you or someone you love, start by getting the free Dental Implant Cost Guide here.
It'll answer a lot of your questions. (It’s the same one I gave my dad.)
And if you’re ready to change your life like Troy did? It all starts with a simple 60-second quiz.
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