The Ultimate Case of Trust: Rehabbing a Friend and Colleague

There’s a special kind of fulfillment that comes from completing a full mouth rehabilitation on someone who truly understands the value of dentistry—especially when that someone is a fellow dentist and friend.

Dr. Eric Farmer entrusted me with his care during one of my courses, motivated by the long-term implications of wear and functional breakdown. Like many patients, he had been “getting by,” but he knew the path forward meant more than patchwork—it meant comprehensive, thoughtful, restorative care.

Why This Case Mattered So Much

When we as dentists choose to prioritize our own oral health, it sends a powerful message—not just to our patients, but to ourselves and our teams. Treating Eric reminded me of the ripple effect that comprehensive dentistry can have.

1. Congruency with Our Own Values

We can’t advocate for long-term, comprehensive care if we’re not willing to undergo it ourselves. Eric’s decision to restore his function and esthetics was a testament to that integrity. It’s the ultimate “practice what you preach.”

2. Perspective from the Other Side of the Chair

Going through this process gave Eric more than a new smile—it gave him insight. He now speaks to his patients not just as a clinician, but as someone who’s experienced the same procedures: temporaries, recovery, decision-making, and that transformative moment when you see the final result.

3. Becoming Your Own Best Example

After treatment, Eric didn’t just walk out with a restored smile—he walked out as a walking, talking billboard for what’s possible in modern restorative dentistry. There’s no better advertisement than confidence that comes from personal experience.

Treatment Overview

Eric presented with excessive wear and a collapsed vertical dimension that required a careful, conservative approach. To achieve both functional and esthetic goals, we:

• Performed crown lengthening to support minimally invasive restorations while improving esthetics

• Restored upper and lower 10 units using GC LiSi Press, increasing vertical dimension by 3mm

• Partnered with Gold Dust Dental Lab, whose artistry brought this case to life

This is one of my favorite cases—not just because of the result, but because of what it represents: trust, transformation, and the shared experience of comprehensive care between colleagues.

     

Want to Learn How to Do Cases Like This?

This case—and the many diagnostic, clinical, and emotional steps it involved—is exactly the type of work we explore in our Full Mouth Rehabilitation Live in the Op course.

This two-weekend (four-day) demonstration and lecture program allows you to observe a full-mouth rehabilitation case from start to finish—20 units prepared and seated—without the stress of treating your own patient. You’ll see firsthand how I diagnose, plan, communicate, and execute complex cases like Eric’s.

From vertical dimension changes to esthetic zone planning, you’ll gain the tools and insight to confidently take on these life-changing cases in your own practice.

   

Join us for a front-row seat to comprehensive care that transforms lives—and careers.

Case by: Dr. John Nosti, Clinical Mastery Series Clinical Director