GENEVA, Ill. (AP) -- Former Bears defensive lineman William ``The Refrigerator'' Perry began his football career with a famous gap-toothed grin.
Then he spent two decades avoiding the dental chair, eventually losing half his teeth as they fell out, got knocked out or were extracted by Perry himself.
After months of intense work that involved pulling his remaining teeth and implanting screws into his jaw bone, the 45-year-old finally got a winning smile yesterday.
He agreed to the total oral overhaul after his mouth began to ache.
Perry now lives in Aiken, South Carolina and says the new teeth look ``great.''
Sunrise Dental Care in Geneva donated the $60,000 procedure, which was necessary because Perry's mouth was plagued by infection.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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