3 on 6™ From a Patient's Perspective: Trisha Santiago
- Dec 21, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 2, 2022
I remember the first day that a dentist told me that my natural teeth would not last me much longer. I was terrified, scared, and overwhelmed as I tried to process what the dentist was telling me. After years of avoiding the dentist due to past dental trauma, a decade in braces which shortened my roots, and four pregnancies where I was sick from six weeks until delivery day, my teeth were officially done.
About two months after I had my third child, I had a tooth break in half and so I went to the dentist where it was crowned. After my fourth child, I had several teeth break and those could not be crowned so extraction was the only option.
In March of 2020, I had two of my broken teeth extracted. I figured it would at least buy me some time with my natural teeth, however within two weeks, I had two more teeth that were broken and chipping away. I realized that this was going to be a slow and painful process of losing my teeth, so I got serious about looking into my choices.
There were many options I learned about but the one that had been on my mind since the day I saw it was the 3 on 6™ full mouth restoration. I began to investigate the differences between the various treatment options. I eventually joined a Facebook group to see if anyone had experience with the 3 on 6™ procedure. It was simply by fate that one of the first posts I saw was from a patient who had their upper arch restored with the 3 on 6™ treatment. I had been researching the process for years but seeing that post gave me the push I needed. I looked into the locations offered the 3 on 6™ and there were none in my home state of Georgia at the time so I knew I would have to travel for treatment. I chose Smile Clinic in Utah as they had a couple locations there and information about treating patients from out-of-state. The phone call was made!
The first phone call was easy. They got my usual information and then asked me to send them my panoramic x-ray and a few different pictures of my smile as well. About a week later I got an email from Smile Clinic with the details of my treatment plan as well as the pricing. As time went on it was in my heart that I really wanted the 3 on 6™ and I realized if I wanted it bad enough then I needed to work harder and save up to accomplish my goal.
Once I had financing secured, I called Smile Clinic back and went through the two pages of questions I had for them. They took the time to answer all of my questions and I paid my deposit. I eagerly stalked the UPS truck waiting for my impressions kit to come in. Once it came it took me a day or two to get the courage to do it. I was worried I might mess it up or pull off a crown, but it went just fine and I sent it back to the lab. I then immediately started the process of planning my upcoming trip to Utah for surgery and putting together my own little “surgery suitcase” full of all the things I thought I would want with me on my day of surgery.
About two weeks before my surgery I flew out to Utah for a one-day trip to get some better scans done of my mouth and to meet the team. I’m glad I did because it brought me so much comfort. Meeting Dr. Roberts and his team, I instantly knew I had made the right decision.
So, two weeks later I flew back to Utah. At 7am on a Monday morning in July of 2020, I was in the dental chair, ready for my surgery and getting sedated. Waking up from surgery I felt no pain, no discomfort, and my teeth felt so natural that I really thought they were my original teeth. That night I rested in the hotel, taking medicine ahead of any potential pain, and had a milkshake for dinner. The next morning it was back to Dr. Robert's office for a post-op appointment which went great. I flew home that day and when I got home that night I snuggled with my kids while icing my face.
Day three was the hardest day for me, which is common for most people. On day four I woke up feeling like a brand-new person. I had minimal pain and was an absolute bundle of confidence. I picked up some purple lipstick from Walmart and the selfies began. By the end of the week, I was outside with my kids, playing, taking pictures, and just truly enjoying life.
When you get a new 3 on 6™ smile, the teeth you get on your surgery day are temporary while you heal. They look great, but they’re not meant to be permanent. I was in my temporary set of teeth for just over four months. Once my implants were fully healed, I had an amazing trip back to Utah and left with my final zirconia teeth.
Since my procedure and after the healing phase I resumed normal life. A happier normal life in which I am confident and my dental health is amazing. I brush, water floss, and use mouthwash, the same as someone with natural teeth would. I get regular dental cleanings every six months and my new smile feels so natural that I often forget that it isn’t my natural smile. Yes, the process was scary when I first started, but by choosing Dr. Roberts and traveling to Utah, I feel like I made the absolute best choice, and my life quality has changed for the better because of it.
I really enjoyed reading Trisha’s story because it shows how much a confident smile can change everyday life, not just appearance. The emotional side felt especially real to me, and that kind of transformation deserves more attention. I also think spaces where patients recover or meet with providers should feel calm, comfortable, and well managed. That’s one reason I pay attention to solutions like smart thermostat for business in clinics and professional offices. When indoor climate, air quality, and energy savings are handled well, the whole experience feels more supportive. Small details like comfort can make a meaningful difference during a life-changing dental journey.