A humorous, heartfelt journey from fear to fearlessness — and from chipped tooth to shining smile.
A smile is one of life’s simplest yet most powerful gestures. It radiates warmth, confidence, and joy. But what happens when that smile begins to fade — not from within, but on the face itself?
Few sights can make even the bravest hesitate, and a dentist’s chair is certainly one of them. It gleams with spotless metal, surrounded by mysterious instruments and a soft mechanical hum that seems to whisper, “Let’s see how brave you really are.”
For most, that sight triggers mild unease.
For Hansmukh, seventy-five plus years young, partially mobility-impaired, and an expert at avoiding dental visits, it felt closer to stage fright.
Yet that morning, as his electric wheelchair glided through the glass doors of Dr. Sukumari’s “The Triumphant Smile Experience” Dental Clinic, something shifted. The fear didn’t vanish — it simply found itself outnumbered by curiosity.
The clinic sparkled — modern, compact, and filled with an atmosphere of empathy and quiet cheer.

At the front desk, Pushpa, the ever-smiling receptionist, welcomed him as if he were a guest of honour rather than a nervous patient.
“Good morning, Mr. Hansmukh! The doctor is waiting for you,” she said brightly.
Behind her, Bhajan and Kirtan, the spirited assistants, arranged gleaming tools with the precision of musicians tuning their instruments — one adjusting the overhead light, the other setting up the suction tips, both moving in perfect rhythm.
And then appeared Dr. Sukumari — calm, confident, eyes brimming with kindness.
“Welcome, Hansmukh ji. Don’t worry, we’ll take it one step at a time,” she said, guiding him gently toward a chair that looked more like a spacecraft than a piece of furniture.
As he settled in, a thought crossed his mind:
“This chair has seen more open mouths than a politician during election season.”
He chuckled. She smiled. The tension melted away.
Smile Rebuilt is the story of that transformation — how a small dental mishap became the beginning of an unexpected adventure.
Hansmukh discovers new worlds inside a dentist’s clinic — learning about IOPA, OPG, and CBCT, and even the comic chaos of finding the “ground floor” CBCT lab that wasn’t on the ground floor at all.
Three days later, the CBCT images arrive — incomprehensible to anyone but doctors — and Hansmukh finds himself amused by the fascinating numbering of teeth, from 11 to 48. He feels like a freshly enrolled dental student.
Then comes the grand plan from Dr. Partha and Dr. Sukumari — impressions, prosthesis design, and the long-awaited “All-on-4” implants. Excitement meets anxiety. Numbness, anaesthesia, drills, vibrations, and gentle hammer taps — the long yet surprisingly pain-free implant marathon unfolds. Each time the anaesthesia fades, Hansmukh raises his hand, yet by day’s end, he wears a glowing temporary smile.
Sutures are removed, gums heal, and the upper jaw earns the doctor’s nod of perfection. Soon, attention turns to the lower jaw — two molars out, two titanium implants in, awaiting their crowns after three patient months. Another milestone in his “titanium timeline.”
Root canal, fillings, and cleaning-all done in one meticulous sitting. Three hours of steady precision and humour leave Hansmukh’s mouth renewed and ready for the final stage.
At last, the permanent zirconia crowns replace the temporary ones. When the team secures them in place, Hansmukh looks in the mirror — reborn, re-energised, and finally true to his name: Hansmukh — the one who smiles.
This book, laced with gentle humour, traces Hansmukh’s dental odyssey — from anxious beginnings to triumphant completion. It reveals that dentistry is not merely mechanical; it is deeply human — built on trust, patience, and collaboration between doctor and patient. Each chapter celebrates a milestone of technology, emotion, and resilience, paying tribute to the compassion and dedication of the dental team.
Ultimately, Smile Rebuilt offers reassurance to anyone facing similar treatment: though the road may seem daunting, it leads to renewed confidence, comfort, and joy. It is a reminder that fear fades when met with understanding — and that every smile, rebuilt or natural, is a celebration of life itself. The dental chair is a chair of courage.