ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Jim Locicero is turning 73 in October — he's struggled with his teeth since he was a kid. He says he went through life talking and smiling with his mouth as closed as possible because he was afraid people would notice. "Some people remember Christmas, Valentine's Day sometimes, all the candy they got — and I did all those things, but I also remember my dentist," he said. "People without really bad dental issues, they don't understand." It started with fillings when he was young, moved on to more cavities as a teen, and by the time he was 30 he had 12 crowns. As he got even older the crowns began to loosen so now he needed a crown with a post. Eventually, his teeth got brittle and started to crack. In 2018, Locicero had the Hybridge procedure. Dr. Frank LaMar is the founder and CEO of Hybridge Dental. the procedure is a way to replace natural teeth with titanium dental implants. He says these implants are much stronger than natural teeth and can support 12 teeth on five dental implants. "You're giving them back their confidence, and you're giving them back the ability to interact with people," said LaMar. Locicero agrees. He worked at Wegmans, traveling to find food for the chain and did a lot of public speaking, which he was embarrassed about because he was scared a crown would pop out mid-presentation. He even carried dental glue in his wallet because this happened to him from time to time. "It's a frustration that just doesn't go away. 24/7, It's always there, it's hanging over you it just — it really ruins your attitude," said Locicero. Now, Locicero loves a good Ribeye with potatoes — and his teeth can handle the bite. "If I can help someone not have the nightmares that I've been through, with their teeth — that would be fine." Dentists from around the country come to LaMar's office for training. They have been in Rochester for a while and are now expanding with a Buffalo office.