HOLLAND, Mich. — Dentist Ryan Lebster stays very busy at the Lakeshore Dentistry and Implant Center in Holland.
"I do a lot of complex restorative dentistry, implants, aesthetic work veneers things like that," Lebster said.
It is easy to see his passion for his profession.
"It's not like throwing a touchdown pass to get to the Super Bowl, but it's still fun," Lebster said.
The fun amplified even more when a certain inquiry came to his office.
"This is probably the most popular interaction I have had here in my 20-year career," Lebster said.
By far one of his most popular requests came from NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins, who wanted some grillz from his hometown dentist. Cousins has been going to Lebster since his high school days at Holland Christian.
"In the last year, the dental checkup involved a little more than your average cleaning," Cousins said. "It also involved getting involved getting fitted for some jewelry and a grill."
The grillz hysteria all started back on Thanksgiving of 2022, when the MSU alum said he needed grillz like his All-Pro teammate Justin Jefferson after a Vikings win over the Patriots.
"I don't know if my dentist back in Holland, Michigan gets a lot of requests for grillz, but I need to call him," Cousins told NBC.
Lebster was watching the MSU basketball game at that point when his daughter informed her dad of his shoutout on national television.
"She comes running down the hall, 'Dad, Dad, Kirk Cousins just called you out on national TV,'" Lebster said. "'He says you are going to make his grillz.'"
Lebster reached out to the NFL veteran the very next day.
"I text Kirk and I said, 'I think I've got a Christmas gift coming for you,'" Lebster said.
Cousins did not see it coming.
"He took me seriously," Cousins said. "When I saw him after the season, he said, 'We are going to get this grill fitted.'"
A year and some change later, Cousins finally received his grillz. The 35-year-old gave his dentist five out of five stars, and the post received over 150,000 likes.
One coming from Jefferson who commented, "Next we got to get u some diamond ones."
Cousins was thrilled with the results.
"He was true to his word," Lebster said. "I got that grill fitted and I guess now I've got to put some fake diamonds on it."
With some laughs, and help through cosmetic and digital dentistry, Lebster was able to revolutionize the grillz game.
"This version fit perfectly," Lebster said. "We are ready to keep rolling with this. We both think it's hilarious."
However, what is not funny is the love Cousins has for his hometown of Holland.
"He does love the game and he loves his people," Lebster said. "It's nice. They are very loyal to all of the people here in Holland."
That loyalty will be there regardless if there is bling in his mouth or not.
"I have a feeling West Michigan will keep pulling me back," Cousins said. "No matter how far away life takes me."
Life almost took Cousins down the pre-med route. During his high school recruitment out of Holland, he told Lebster he wanted to be in the medical field just like him at Michigan State. However, football ended up working out.
Cousins said he will reveal the full grillz on an NFL Sunday in the fall, wherever he ends up playing.
"You can't wear the grill until you have the grill," Cousins said. "I am sure it will make its appearance at some point in my upcoming football journey."
Right now, he is still focused on giving back to West Michigan. Last Friday, Cousins opened a new youth athletic facility in Grand Rapids. Another complex will be opened in Kalamazoo on Friday.
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