1.) Patient Missing Lower Back Teeth

This patient had an abscessed back tooth which had failed and needed extraction. Bone grafting was needed at the time of the extraction to replace the large amount of bone that was lost with the infection.

Pre-op pictures with arrows displaying an abscessed tooth

X-rays showing the abscessed tooth with the large infection surrounding the tooth. A bone graft was necessary when the tooth was removed to allow regeneration of the jaw from the infection. The regeneration of the lost bone allowed the placement of the future implants. The arrows show the large abscess and the area healed after the implants are placed into the bone grafted area.

The final bridgework in place held in by three dental implants

The final x-ray of the implants and bridgework

Notice how after completing the lower implants and bridgework, the patient elected to restore the upper jaw area where there were also many missing teeth. This has allowed the patient to return to a more normal appearance and proper function.

2.) Patient Missing Upper Back Teeth

Pre-op shows missing upper back teeth Final bridgework supported by dental

implants

X-ray of the final bridgework Final Bridgework

Arrows are pointing to the implants

Implant retained bridgework functions as do natural teeth. Patients often wish they had pursued treatment sooner when they realize the comfort with chewing and their return back to normal function. Implants do not decay and are more resistant to future dental disease. A course of treatment similar to this may be completed in as short as 4-5 months.

3.) Replacement of Upper Front and Back Teeth When the Natural Teeth have Failed

I am often amazed at how long permanent bridgework can last and give service to a patient. When it does fail, patients do not want to replace the missing teeth with removable dentures. This is especially true when only half the teeth in an arch are missing. Implants are the perfect solution to this problem. Below is an example of how a removable denture was avoided with the use of dental implants.

Pre-op showing failed front Soon after the back teeth failed

tooth removed and failing .

bridgework toward the back .

The back tooth decayed away causing

failure and loss of the bridgework

Four dental implants were placed and shown are the abutments that attach the implants to the porcelain teeth. Not every missing tooth needs an implant for replacement. The four dental implants used here replaced five teeth and if necessary could have replaced six teeth.

During the course of treatment, the patient had a provisional bridge which replaced the missing teeth for cosmetic purposes (provisional bridge not shown).

Final fixed “permanent” implant retained

bridgework

The arrows show the implant retained bridge

front to back

Initially an implant was used to replace a missing tooth toward the front. Shortly after, the back teeth failed and the entire area was replaced with four dental implants. Bone grafting was needed to help augment the jaw bone to enhance the placement of the implants. The bone grafting allowed the placement of stronger implants. Now the patient can chew and eat normally with an excellent appearance cosmetically. This patient did not have to receive a removable bridge and never had to go without teeth during her course of treatment.