Success Stories

Real Stories from Our Patients

Restored Smiles, Renewed Lives

Your smile is more than just teeth — it’s confidence, health, and happiness. At The Tri-State Center for Advanced Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we’ve had the privilege of transforming lives through state-of-the-art dental implant solutions.

But don’t just take our word for it — hear from real patients who have overcome dental challenges, reclaimed their smiles, and regained their quality of life. Their transformations are proof that it’s never too late to invest in yourself and your health.

Nicholas

From Santa’s hidden struggle to a confident, radiant smile

Some might call it a coincidence that this Same-Day Implant Smile patient’s name is Nicholas. Why? Because every December, when he transforms into Santa Claus, he helps bring smiles to children all over the world.

Yet, while Nicholas was bringing joy to countless children and their families, he had lost confidence in his own smile.

“I was having pain in my lower teeth,” said Nicholas, a retired IT specialist. “I was losing teeth left and right… But every year, I’m Santa, and I didn’t want to have bad teeth showing when I meet people in public.”

1. Nicholas' struggles with missing teeth and periodontal disease

For over 20 years, Nicholas battled periodontal disease, toothaches, and missing teeth. His condition led him to The Tri-State Center for Implants & Periodontics, where several of his lower back teeth had to be extracted.

“When we first saw Nicholas as a new patient, he was in pain and needed immediate help,” recalled Dr. Fred Bye, founder of The Tri-State Center for Implants & Periodontics. “This pain made it very difficult for Nicholas to chew certain foods and ultimately required the removal of several badly diseased teeth in his lower jaw.”

Beyond the discomfort, his missing teeth were affecting both his diet and self-confidence. Nicholas understood the connection between oral health and overall well-being. His inability to eat nutritious foods — like fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts — was a growing concern, especially after losing his lower back teeth.

Dental professionals have long understood that when individuals avoid certain foods due to difficulty chewing, their nutritional intake suffers. In turn, poor nutrition can negatively impact overall health, particularly in older adults. Conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can worsen when essential nutrients are lacking. Fortunately, in recent years, the medical community has increasingly recognized the link between missing teeth and poor nutrition, often recommending tooth replacement as a solution.

2. Nicholas takes a leap of faith with Dr. Bye’s dental implant treatment plan

Years ago, Nicholas decided to move forward with Dr. Bye’s initial dental implant treatment plan, which included treating his periodontal disease and placing four dental implants to restore his missing lower teeth.

“As Nicholas began losing several teeth in his upper jaw, he was relegated to wearing a partial denture that he never felt comfortable with,” recalled Dr. Bye. “It didn’t take him long to realize he needed a better solution.”

Dr. Bye recommended a full-arch, implant-supported bridge—commonly known as All-on-X or TeethXpress®. Once Nicholas agreed, Dr. Bye coordinated with Nicholas’ general dentist, Dr. Phillip Van Cleaf of Chambersburg, PA, to plan the procedure.

On the same day that his remaining upper teeth were removed, Nicholas received five dental implants, along with a fixed, temporary implant-supported bridge. Once his implants fully healed a few months later, he received his final prosthesis.

“Now, when I look in the mirror, I don’t have to see something that, quite frankly, I once considered a little ugly,” said Nicholas. “Every year, I perform as Santa for the children, and the best way to describe this smile is that when the children look at me, they’re not afraid. They see me, and I enjoy that 100 percent!”

3. A restored smile and a healthier future

Thanks to dental implants, Nicholas can now enjoy a nutritious diet with no restrictions.

“It was a complete honor to partner with Dr. Van Cleaf in helping Nicholas restore his confident smile,” said Dr. Bye. “Transforming patients’ psychological and physical health through implant dentistry never gets old!”

James

How he reclaimed his smile and health

When it came to putting off a visit to the dentist, no one was better at it than James.

Even with persistent toothaches and pain, his anxiety was so overwhelming that he preferred to suffer rather than seek treatment. Like many people, James struggled with an intense fear of the dentist — a common condition that affects countless individuals.

“More than a third of people have a fear of receiving dental treatment,” said Dr. Fred Bye, Board-Certified Periodontist and founder of The Tri-State Center for Implants & Periodontics. “In James’ case, his dental phobia was extreme before he came to see us.”

1. The consequences of avoiding dental care

Unfortunately, years of neglect led to a downward spiral in James’ oral health. His mouth became increasingly painful, and eating healthy foods like raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts became difficult.

“My teeth became more and more sore,” James recalled. “Eventually, they started falling out. That caused a lot of fear and anxiety for me, including fear of being in public.”

When people avoid nutritious foods due to difficulty chewing, their overall health suffers. Fortunately, James eventually sought professional help. His general dentist encouraged him to visit Dr. Bye’s implant center to determine whether he was a candidate for dental implants.

Dental implants offered James the opportunity to restore his ability to eat a balanced diet and regain his confidence in social settings. Since he had suffered significant jawbone loss, traditional dentures would not have been a suitable solution for him.

2. A life-changing dental implant procedure

Luckily, Dr. Bye is a highly respected implant surgeon serving the Western Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania tri-state region. With his extensive experience, he was able to skillfully restore the bone foundation James needed for dental implants.

“For James, we performed an implant procedure commonly known as TeethXpress® or All-on-X,” Dr. Bye explained. “This allowed us to provide him with a full set of stable upper teeth using only six dental implants.”

Dr. Bye has built a reputation for making anxious patients feel comfortable. His practice works with nurse anesthetists to administer IV sedation during dental implant procedures, allowing patients to sleep comfortably while he focuses on delivering the best possible treatment.

“When I began to trust Dr. Bye, I was able to get a lot of things fixed,” James shared. “The results were outstanding! I would recommend TeethXpress to everybody… don’t be afraid. Come right in. Dr. Bye’s team is here to help you!”

PJ

From hiding her smile to beaming with confidence

For Patricia — better known as “PJ” — it was a chipped tooth that brought her to the dentist’s office. What she didn’t realize, however, was the severity of her oral health issues.

PJ was suffering from advanced periodontal disease, a condition her dentist, Dr. Jackie Fogal, recognized immediately. Dr. Fogal referred PJ to Dr. Fred Bye, founder of The Tri-State Center for Implants & Periodontics, for a full evaluation.

“We now know that untreated periodontal disease can be linked to several systemic health conditions,” said Dr. Bye. “Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and other serious conditions can be worsened by chronic gum infections.”

1. Years of hiding her smile

For many years, PJ avoided smiling, doing everything possible to hide her teeth.

“Before I got dental implants, I didn’t smile much because I hated my teeth,” PJ shared. “I had a chipped tooth and went to a dentist. That’s when they found a big pocket of ‘yuck’ underneath. I had periodontal disease.”

When PJ arrived at The Tri-State Center, she immediately felt at ease. The welcoming, professional team reassured both PJ and her husband that they were in good hands.

“When I was a kid, I was afraid of the dentist,” PJ admitted. “But Dr. Bye’s office makes you feel so comfortable… like you’re at home, part of the family.”

2. A life-changing transformation

A CT scan revealed the extent of PJ’s periodontal disease and the significant jawbone loss it had caused. With this information, Dr. Bye presented multiple treatment options, including dental implants.

PJ chose the TeethXpress® dental implant procedure, also known as All-on-4. This approach allowed Dr. Bye to replace her entire upper set of infected teeth with a secure, natural-looking bridge supported by four dental implants.

Following her procedure, PJ experienced significant improvements — not just in her smile, but in her overall health. She no longer suffers from chronic headaches and sinus problems, which are often linked to severe dental infections near the sinus cavity. Additionally, she can now enjoy a full range of foods without discomfort.

3. A new smile and a new outlook

“It was such a pleasure to treat PJ and help her restore her self-confidence,” said Dr. Bye.

“From the moment you meet someone like PJ, you know her amazing personality and desire to smile should never be held back by unattractive teeth. Equally important, it’s incredibly gratifying to know that her periodontal disease is no longer threatening her overall health. I’m so proud and honored that we could partner with Dr. Fogal in caring for PJ!”

No one is more thrilled than PJ. She encourages anyone considering dental implants to take the leap.

“I don’t have headaches anymore,” she said. “I used to never smile—now I smile all the time. I would tell anybody to have it done!”

Amanda

Breaking free from dental anxiety

When patients like Amanda lose their self-confidence due to failing teeth, it often happens gradually over several years. By the time she reached her late twenties, Amanda’s teeth were severely decayed.

Like many others, Amanda struggled with dental phobia, which prevented her from addressing minor dental issues before they worsened.

“Anything that took effort to chew — like steak — or depending on how certain foods were cooked, I really had to be careful with how I ate,” Amanda recalled. “It’s hard to describe how bad my teeth were.”

Fortunately, Amanda gathered the courage to visit Dr. Tim Adamson, a general dentist in Chambersburg, PA. Recognizing the severity of her condition, Dr. Adamson encouraged her to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fred Bye.

“When Amanda arrived at our office, I could instantly tell that she lacked self-confidence,” recalled Dr. Bye, founder of The Tri-State Center for Implants & Periodontics. “We were up for the challenge of helping her in any way possible.”

1. The impact of failing teeth

When teeth become as brittle as Amanda’s, they can cause significant pain. People with multiple diseased teeth often avoid eating healthy foods like raw fruit, fresh salads, vegetables, nuts, or steak due to discomfort.

“Amanda’s case was concerning for two major reasons,” said Dr. Bye. “Avoiding nutritious foods is never ideal for overall health. Additionally, we know that diseased teeth can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, increasing inflammation and potentially damaging blood vessels in the heart and brain.”

2. A plan to restore Amanda’s smile and oral function

Amanda was given a comprehensive treatment plan to restore her oral health. This plan would not only give her the confidence to smile again but would also allow her to eat without restrictions, ensuring she could make healthy food choices.

“When Amanda came to our office for the first time, we assured her that she was in the right place and that her self-confidence would never suffer because of her teeth again,” recalled Dr. Bye.

Amanda had reached a breaking point and was ready for a change. She accepted Dr. Bye’s treatment plan, which involved removing her remaining upper and lower teeth. Six dental implants were placed in her upper jaw and four in her lower jaw.

Throughout the procedure, The Tri-State Center’s in-house nurse anesthetist ensured Amanda remained comfortable and pain-free. In fact, she slept through most of the treatment.

“It was a pleasure working with Dr. Tim Adamson to help Amanda achieve a smile she could be proud of,” said Dr. Bye.

3. A confident new beginning

Once Amanda’s dental implants had fully healed and her final set of teeth was attached, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Like so many Same-Day Smile dental implant patients at The Tri-State Center, Amanda no longer faces limitations on what she can eat. Most importantly, she takes great pride in knowing that she never has to feel embarrassed about her smile again.

“I’m so glad I found Dr. Bye,” Amanda shared. “He calmed my fears from the moment I walked into his office. He and his whole team were wonderful! I can eat anything I want now. I would do it again a hundred times over. I can’t thank Dr. Bye and his team enough!”