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POSTED UNDER All-on-4 Dental Implants REVIEWS

My Experience with the All on Four Process w/ Dr. Golpa @ Las Vegas clinic

ORIGINAL POST

I will not bore y'all with a long story as to why...

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TiffanieTx1
WORTH IT$34,000
I will not bore y'all with a long story as to why I needed implants because my story is the same as everyone else writing reviews for this procedure on this site. The short version is... bad teeth, paralyzed with humiliation every time I spoke to someone, and mastering how to smile and laugh without showing my teeth at all costs and the gradual onset of social anxiety that has plagued me for years because of my teeth. I have always been an outgoing and social person but as the years passed, I watched myself withdrawing from so many aspects of my life. It was disheartening and depressing. I finally got sick (and angry) of my teeth controlling me like a puppet master so I finally decided to put on my big girl pants, get past my irrational fear of dentists, embarrassment, and dental chair anxiety and do something about it. My main reason for writing this review is for those of you still in the research phase of your dental journey. Once I heard about it, I knew without a doubt that the All on Four procedure was exactly what I was looking for to rid me of my dental woes. Not too long ago I was also in the researching phase, looking long and hard to find a worthy and capable dentist who was up to the task without breaking the bank (Okay, It's the all on four procedure...and at the VERY LEAST would cost as much as a new car so I knew going in that my bank was gonna be seriously BROKE, lol) Like most of you, I came across Dr. Mike Golpa's website (it was bound to happen). I was mesmerized by all the before and afters and spent countless hours oohing and aahing over these beautiful teeth. Then I found all the YouTube video testimonials. The first one I watched was Jarrett's and I was blown away by his honesty and sincerity (his teeth weren't too shabby either, lol) <---joking, his teeth were stunning. Like 95% of folks researching Dr. Golpa's site I said, "There's no friggin' way it's this easy. This is way too good to be true". Needless to say, after reading thoroughly about Dr' Golpa's procedural protocols and 437 testimonial videos later I was sold. I called, made my appt. for 8/24/16, paid my required deposit...then waited, freaked out a little, bit my nails, freaked out a little more, then finally hit the road for Vegas (we drove from south Texas due to my irrational fear of flying. It took 25 hrs. I don't recommend it) So, my fear of dentists is about as bad as it gets. Anxiety levels go through the roof. I'm sure most of y'all can relate. Heres the thing...I had done so much research and reading about exactly how Dr. Golpa does this procedure, over and over again that by the time I got there and was sitting in the consult chair, I had forgotten to be afraid. I'm not kidding. Knowledge is power. I think I was more embarrassed because I knew the inside of my mouth was about to be investigated, poked, and prodded and they would see the terrible state my teeth were in. That fell by the wayside fairly quickly once I began talking to the staff (yes, Carlos and Amanda are as nice as everyone says) Dr. Golpa came in for my consult and said "Hi, nice to meet you. My name is Mike". He was personable, genuine in his interest of my concerns and after going over some details like the shade and size of the teeth, etc. I knew immediately I had found the right dentist. His knowledge of the all on four procedure and process is second to none and I never second guessed him. I think that initial consult is where many of his patients fear subsides because he's Just. That. Likable. Anyway, my extractions (17 teeth) were uneventful. I don't remember any of it. In fact, I don't remember how I got back to the hotel, lol. I did start to swell and bruise almost immediately. I never had any real pain. Just discomfort. The next day, I waited for Carlos to call and went back in for the installation of the bridges. Not my finest hour, lol. I was swollen...and starving. I was finally finished and left the office at 10:00 pm after some minor adjustments. Dr. Golpa stayed with me to check...and re-check my bite to make sure it was perfect. I was really impressed by his focus and dedication to each patient. His staff as well. Carlos was waiting at the front desk to hand me my waterpik, electric toothbrush, and flossers on my way out, and as always with a grin spread across his face. I go back for my 6 month follow up in February.
There. That is my Golpa experience. So...See? The reviews are true. For me, it was just as easy as the patient testimonials say, Dr. Golpa is an artist in his field and this was worth every penny.
(if you're wondering why there aren't any "before" pics it's because ...no friggin' way! Noone needs to see that hot mess)

TiffanieTx1's provider

Mike Golpa, DDS

Mike Golpa, DDS

Dentist

4.8 | 82 Reviews
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TiffanieTx1

TiffanieTx1 rating for Dr. Golpa:

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Replies (126)

October 7, 2016
Thank you so much for posting this! I am booked for Dr. Golpa all on 4 on November 8th and could not be more scared! How was pain afterwards?
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October 7, 2016
The pain isn't bad. It's more of a discomfort. They'll give you cold packs to take with you after your extractions. My facene piece of advice would be to definitely use them, and often. They really help with swelling and part of your discomfort will be due to the swelling. You will do just fine. It's over before you even know (or care) what happened. I was terrified of doing it too. Once you're in that chair that fear will subside because they really do make you feel like a person instead of just a "mouthful of crappy teeth" like other dentists tend to do. You will get no judgement there. Are you getting both uppers and lowers?
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October 7, 2016
I meant to say.. "my one piece of advice". Don't know how that turned into facene, lol.
October 7, 2016
Yes, I only have about 6 "saveable" teeth on bottom that would need crowns and stuff to make work in addition to implants to replace my molars, so we have decided to proceed with bottom bridge as well as the top. I have never had IV sedation before so I am really worried about that. I gave up smoking about a week ago, but still vaping my e cig at lowest dose possible so hopefully be weaned off that in another week so I will be totally done with all nicotine 2-3 weeks before the procedure. Werent you also a smoker?
October 7, 2016
Also I work and am taking 12 days off. Do you think that will be enough time to look normal?
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October 7, 2016
IV sedation will be your new best friend, lol. All they do it put an IV in and start meds to just relax you and the next thing you'll remember is after its all over. 12 days off should be good. I had a big purpleish blue bruise that started right under the right side of my nose and went down almost to my neck. It was ugly. It looked like someone beat the heck out of me, lol. It took two weeks before I was comfortable going in public. Everyone is different. I've read that some folks have little to no bruising. Luck of the draw I guess, lol. Yes, I was a smoker. I did the same thing you're doing. I stopped cigarettes on 7/1/16 and did the e-cig thing. That was so hard for me. I still struggle with it.
October 7, 2016
One of the lady's at the office told me probably 80% of people don't bruise at all, and it really comes down to if your just a bruiser. I tend to bruise easy so I am counting on having at least some bruising. I am going to start drinking loads of pineapple juice a few days before my procedure since they say that helps with swelling and bruising. Are you still on the e-cigs? I am doing ok on them, but I am really worried about relapsing afterward. I know they say it gets easier though the more time you have without. How are you adjusting to your new teeth now? Any issues?
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October 8, 2016
I'm adjusting well. I really love them. I was worried because the main thing I have read about were people having that "full mouth" feeling and they were having a hard time with that but I was really happy I didn't have that issue. I thought I would since I would be leaving with more teeth than I came in with. They feel like a perfect fit. I have bitten my tongue on a few occasions though, lol. I practice smiling in the mirror because I think I literally forgot how to smile naturally. It sounds crazy but I've always had to have a lot of control over smiling with my mouth closed for so long that a natural smile takes some getting used to. I sometimes feel like my teeth look a little too big even though I know they're not. I had spoken to Dr. Golpa about wanting petite teeth. I had a partial that had replaced my upper four front teeth and it was cheaply made because it's all I could afford at the time (1998). The teeth had worn down some over the years and so they were really small. That's why I think my new teeth look too big sometimes because I was so used to seeing the other ones. So, it's probably psychological for me and once I'm more accustomed to seeing these new teeth that feeling will fade. Logically speaking I know they aren't too big, lol. Also, I'm a few days past the six week mark and my gums have shrunken back down to almost normal size in the healing process. My upper right side has a lot more space between the gums and bridge than the left side so sometimes when I talk or sing, etc. air flows through that gap and forms air pockets/bubbles up under my upper lip. That, by far is my biggest complaint because I catch myself trying to be cautious of how I speak because the air bubbles feel weird and are distracting, lol. I'm hoping to maybe address that at my follow up appt in February. My left side is quite a bit more snug although I can still get the superfloss in there to keep the abutments clean. I actually really like how it feels on the left side because air doesn't freely flow through as I speak. Sometimes when I'm alone I put my finger on my face over where the top of the bridge is on the right side and halt that airflow and I speak so much better. (I hope that make sense) I'm not sure yet if anything can be done to tighten the right side up or if it has to stay like this because of how they are torqued down. If I am able to fix that one airflow issue these teeth would be 100% perfect. Fingers crossed, lol.
October 8, 2016
It will be the same with me, I'm down to 19 teeth and will leave with 24 lol, hopefully I don't get that full mouth feeling either. I am a little worried though since I haven't had back molars in so long. I heard someone say something similar about the airflow the get sometimes through the gumline. I wonder if that happens alot? The thought of implant failure freaks me out a bit, just don't want to invest so much money and discomfort to have it not work out
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October 8, 2016
Yes, it freaks me out too. This was a luxury for me. I will never be able to afford this again in my lifetime. I actually never thought it was something I could actually obtain to be honest. I will check it up to old fashioned luck and good timing. I'm very grateful.
October 8, 2016
Girl same here lol I have dreamed of going to golpa for the last couple years and things suddenly just fell into place unexpectedly.....I had literally just had my initial consultation to get dentures and then this happened. So I am extremely fortunate to be ablessed to do this.....I'm just praying for it all to go smoothly and good healing. Its good to have found this site with people who actually went to golpa to talk to
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October 8, 2016
I know! The folks here really helped put my mind at ease. Especially KRM53!
October 8, 2016
How has eating with them been? Are you into crunchy food yet? We're you able to bite into things like sandwhiches right away? Did you have any issues with speech? Sorry for the million questions
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October 8, 2016
No, I had a million questions too, lol. Eating had been sooooooooo good. It's like a whole new experience. You will become such a confident chewer. So much so that your tongue will get in the way sometimes and you accidentally bite it, lol. I'm eating stuff I haven't had in years. I was a little scared to eat anything at first but it was mostly because of my swelling. I still haven't gone full on with really hard or crunchy stuff (like candy, etc) but you will feel like you can eat just about anything. You're really gonna love the eating and chewing part, lol.
October 8, 2016
So biting with front teeth is no issue? I have been curious since I know it's a big problem for people in regular dentures? Did you have a lisp at least at first?
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October 8, 2016
I have bitten into a few things with my front teeth with no problems. I actually haven't done it too much. I guess old habits are hard to break. With the partial I never could bite anything. I probably won't be doing that a lot with these either just because I have a fear of something happening although I'm sure they'd be fine. Have you seen the video of the man that bit an apple immediately after having his bridges put in? Omg, lol.
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October 8, 2016
Well, the partial I had before my extractions covered much more of my palate than this bridge does so I was completely acclimated to it. Now that my palate isn't covered I have to kind of re-learn how to get my "s" sound right again, lol. So, yes I guess I did have a lisp at first. The gap between my gums and bridge on the top right side that I was talking to you about earlier causes me to make certain letters sounds different..including "s". Go figure, lol.
October 8, 2016
Yes I saw that! I was amazed! My front teeth are in terrible condition currently and I haven't bitten into anything in years so I am looking forward to that. I asked Belinda (I think that's her name) and she said yes you are capable of bitting things like that immediately after however they don't really want you to do that on a regular basis until your implants have fused with the bone. She said basically for the first 2 months or so your supposed to stick to foods you can cut with a fork, is that correct?
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October 8, 2016
Yes ma'am.
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October 8, 2016
Pretty much. I don't even know how long the process takes for the bone to fuse with the implants. I think I forgot to ask, lol.
October 8, 2016
Belinda said everyone is different but typically by about 3-4 months they are totally fused and healed....although some people take closer to the 6 months
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October 8, 2016
Oh, okay. Cool.
January 14, 2018
so did you ever start?
January 15, 2018
Yes! I am about a year and 2 months post and so happy I did it
October 8, 2016
Ps judging from your profile pic they don't look too big at all, they look so ok natural!
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October 8, 2016
Seriously, I avoided dentists for WAY too long, as I had a traumatic experience as a kid. I used to freak out at the dentist office. I broke the arm off a chair, and left, I had a dentist refuse to work on me, as I had a horrible panic attact, as a kid i was strapped to the chair...
So yeah, i was real nervous too before Dr Golpa started.
The staff had me relaxed, and did everything they could to assure me it wouldn't be an issue.
To tell ya the truth, one the meds kicked in, I seriously felt NO PAIN!!!
At WORST I may have felt a little pressure, but NO PAIN!
I understand how you guys feel, but trust me, and have faith in Dr Golpa, and staff.
Just read his reviews! They speak for themselves.
October 8, 2016
Have you had any trouble with he implants now that your past the initial healing phase? Random pains or anything? How do you deal with nicotine cravings now?
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October 8, 2016
No, I'm not having any trouble. I don't get random pains but every now and then I get a weird little sensations in the implant locations. Very light and random but no pain. Oh, I forgot to mention the clicking the teeth make as you talk. It's just from the top and bottom teeth touching each other when you speak. It's not a big deal but when I am talking to someone and my teeth touch and make that click sound I wonder if the other person can hear it and I get distracted by it. I know they can't hear it but I get paranoid, lol. It's just one of those little things. As for the nicotine cravings...i struggle with cravings a lot. It's been hard for me. My will power is nil but I'm trying.
October 8, 2016
I am fairly certain I have already spent several hours on the phone with poor Belinda askin millions of questions lol, I am someone who Google's every thing so everytime I come across something I call and ask
UPDATED FROM TiffanieTx1
1 year post

14 mos. post op and still very satisfied.

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TiffanieTx1

Replies (5)

November 16, 2017
You're teeth look amazing and so natural! What shade do you have?
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November 16, 2017
I dont remember what it was called but there were only three options. I picked the middle one. I didnt want them "Hollywood" white. I am happy with the shade.
December 16, 2017
I agree! I see lots of people go with that Hollywood white and it looks kinda fake to me. My previous dentist told me my shade is B2, and I like B2 because its what natural teeth behave like in normal routines throughout life, and it doesnt look fake
December 16, 2017
Gorgeous!! I really like how natural yours look! You look fabulous!!
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April 22, 2019
If you'd like you can check out my yt videos shannon just ..good luck all! Best decision by far