All Brett Lee-Brown wanted this Christmas was his front tooth, which was unexpectedly snapped off during an exploratory endoscopy procedure last month. This heartwarming tooth restoration story showcases how the generosity of a prosthodontist helped him regain his smile just in time for the holidays.
The distressed tradie’s wish has come true — a new tooth implant — after prosthodontist Michael Zaninovich read about his shock loss in The Sunday Times and offered to fast-track free specialist help.
As reported last month, Mr Lee-Brown lost an upper central incisor during a routine exploratory upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time, before Christmas and with my partner’s family coming from England — some of whom I’ve never met before — to stay with us,” the 46-year-old beamed.
“I was embarrassed about not having a front tooth.”
Mr Lee-Brown, who couldn’t afford to fix his tooth, believed the ugly jagged base of the broken front tooth was costing him quoted work.
“We care about what we do for people and if you’ve got no front tooth it’s like you don’t care about yourself,” he said. “I felt like an absolute dreg and insecure.”
It took seven hours of surgery at Perth CBD’s Aria Dental Zaninovich & Associates for Mr Lee-Brown to have a prosthetic tooth made and fitted over the course of several appointments last week.
“I was totally amazed that someone would go to that extent — above and beyond — it’s breathtaking,” Mr Lee-Brown said.
“Michael and the dental team have done an amazing job — I can smile again!”
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