But I got way more than I bargained for when I approached Dr Friedman for an urgent, time-limited dental overhaul.
For years I had been requesting that the 13 teeth I had left in my mouth be removed and replaced with implant supported dentures, but was refused because of what they call ‘quality of life’.
The problem was that of the 13 teeth I had, only one was untouched and by ‘quality of life’ with the teeth I had meant that I would not be able to eat properly, my gums were always swollen and sore and my confidence went rock bottom because I was too embarrassed to speak or smile.
The temporary bridges across the top front of my mouth had come out and after two years of supergluing them into place, I could no longer stand the pain and the damage I was doing.
I live in New Zealand and had started hunting for a dental surgeon willing to help me.
I spend thousands of dollars on temporary fixes because to have the real thing done is unaffordable.
I had gotten a quote for six implants and a full set of dentures at $40 000 (which amounts to about R370 000).
This was without the bone surgery they said I would need because there was not enough bone in my top jaw to hold the implants. There is no way I could afford this. I decided to see whether there would be someone in SA who would be willing to do this for me.
I was (in good faith) referred to an implant specialist in the area around the south of Johannesburg, to which my emails to the practice were responded to rudely and impatiently.
All I asked for was a quote – surely they would have been able to tell me what it would cost per extraction, implant, dentures, etc.
I was then referred to Dr Friedman who, with the assistance of his practice nurse, Sonia, immediately gave me advice, said he was most certainly able to help, and let me know what it would cost for me to have my smile back again.
It cost me a total of R65 000, including my flights to SA and back, to have the 13 little poison apples removed, six implants and a full set of upper and lower dentures.
It turned out I did not need the bone surgery after all.
I was received with so much warmth and understanding the first time I met Dr Friedman and Sonia that I knew straight away I had made the right decision.
They had originally said I would need at least three to four weeks for the whole procedure, but luckily between the two of them and the implant technician, all was done in a matter of one week from my first appointment – giving me two weeks to heal before heading back to New Zealand.
The procedure itself, from taking the teeth out to inserting the implants, took three hours with no pain and so much gentleness that I didn’t realise any teeth were out until there were only five to go.
I was fully compos mentis the whole way through.
I got my teeth the very next day and cannot explain the joy I felt when I looked at my smile in the mirror.
Dr Friedman, thank you so much for what you did for me and how you understood when you saw my mouth, that I just wanted it all out.
You acted on it immediately without batting an eyelid and my happiness became your goal for the limited time we had.
I cannot express my gratitude to you and Sonia for taking me in and healing me in so many ways.
Charlotte Klose
