By Alexander Germanis
The early explorers knew, before even packing their first bag, that their journeys could be fraught with twists and turns, missteps, and even painful lessons. For them, undergoing the journey, no matter how difficult, was necessary in order to finally discover that unknown destination. What they learned along the way, however, often became as beneficial to those who followed as the final destination itself.
Our journeys through life can be the same way. Martha, a music therapist and semi-retired school teacher, is a patient of Dr. Emil Verban Jr. of Bloomington. When she set out on her own destination — a time when her teeth no longer caused her tremendous discomfort and pain — she set out into a land of unknowns.
“I have genetically weak teeth,” Martha admits. “It’s hereditary; it runs in my mother’s family, and I got the full brunt of that.” That full brunt came to bear over 30 years ago when she had to undergo ten separate root canals. As nightmarish as that sounds, it got much worse before it got any better.
“I began having a multitude of problems related to the root canals,” she shares. “Abscess developed and multiple crowns were placed. One of those crowns was replaced three times!”
According to Dr. Verban, that aspect of Martha’s dental woes need not happen to anyone anymore. “The success rate for root canal treatment has improved in the last 20 years,” he says. “Dentistry has come a long way.”
Martha’s determination to never have to wear dentures was supported by another major improvement in dentistry. The advent of dental implants finally came as a signpost along her journey, and her perilous periodontal path was finally nearing its end.
Finding the right dentist during those final legs of her journey made all the difference to Martha. When undergoing her dental implant procedures through Dr. Verban, she had to have teeth pulled. “I hadn’t even known he had pulled a tooth; he is so gentle,” she says. “My teeth he has put crowns on are so beautiful.”
“I suppose I could say I’m vain,” she laughs, “but I see people’s teeth probably before I see their face. I sometimes see people whose teeth don’t match in coloring. But you would never see a different shade of a crown next to a different colored crown [with Dr. Verban]. The implants and crowns he has done feel natural and like my very own teeth. I have been complimented on my smile and on my teeth being perfect.”
It is fair to say Martha has experienced more than her fair share of dental work, but having done so, she has become an expert in recognizing when a guide through unknown territory is leading you to the right place. Whether they are still your natural teeth or you are in need of implants, Martha emphasizes the importance of finding a dentist who also understands the difference between doing good enough, and doing the best work possible.
For more information, you may contact Emil Verban, Jr., DDS at 309-662-8448 or visit www.mcleancountydental.com. McLean County Dental is located at 2103 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. Dr. Verban provides his patients both general dentistry expertise and the ability to provide specialized services, such as cosmetic procedures and dental implants.