Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho Open Applications for Second Chance Smile Makeover
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Lives have been changed for years at Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho through the Second Chance Smile Makeover Program, where one lucky recipient gets free teeth implants. The local surgery office has opened applications via its website through September 4.
Dr. Mark Baker says the program is life-changing and worth applying for. He added that it's incredibly hard to choose just one winner each year because the need in the community is so great.
"Oftentimes the makeover includes the extraction of the remaining bad teeth, placement of the implants, then the prosthesis that goes on top of the implants to completely restore their bite, fuction and smile," Dr. Baker said. "We just encourage everybody to apply."
Applicants usually have a mouthful of nonrestorable teeth but good bone, making them good candidates for implants. Candidates can be from anywhere in Southeast Idaho, including Pocatello and Blackfoot.
Once selected, the applicant will have a scan to assess their oral health needs.
"We want them to submit that application and tell us their story," Dr. Baker said. "Tell us your story. What's going on? What has brought you to this point where we need to consider a complete smile makeover?"
The winning candidate will be revealed just before Thanksgiving in November. Within 48 hours, an immediate prosthesis is secured to the implants as a temporary before the winner can have their official surgery in December or January. Dr. Baker said the final prosthesis is received about six months later.
"It's a little bit of a process, but once the teeth are extracted, implants are in place and they have new teeth within 48 hours," Dr. Baker said. Even though the first phase of the makeover is temporary, the new smile still makes a difference in the lives of a patient. Within six months of being chosen, the applicant has a fully functional prosthesis and new lease on life.
Last year's winner and smile makeover recipient, Matthew Rymer, is one of the most heartwarming success stories to come out of Second Chance. Not only did Rymer secure a new job following the makeover, he found a fiancé and will celebrate his wedding in September of this year. A new smile can give someone the confidence it takes to change their entire life.
"It completely changed his life," Dr. Baker reminisced. "He was embarrassed to go out in public before, he didn't want people to see his teeth so he never smiled. Now, they can't stop him from smiling."
Dr. Baker added that Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho could not do the Second Chance program without the collaboration with Dr. Kyle Siemen at Sage Dental. The opportunity to give back to the community will a fully-funded smile makeover is a program and tradition in Pocatello they have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
To apply for the Second Chance free smile makeover, visit Oral Surgery Specialists of Idaho online and click on the Second Chance icon. The online application is simple to fill out and requires basic information and a telling of the applicant's story of how they could benefit from implants.
