Over the past year, I have shared through the Women’s Journal how dental implants and computers can restore the function and confidence of a patient with missing teeth. As a periodontist and implant surgeon, I am fortunate to work with the top family and restorative dentists across Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. We consistently see how careful collaboration with the restorative doctor can produce optimal results and beautiful smiles. When working in the anterior “esthetic zone”, the demands on the dental team rise dramatically. With careful diagnosis, planning and teamwork, the implant surgeon and restorative doctor can work together to achieve beautiful results.
Our featured patient this month is Jessica, a 21 year-old young woman who had congenitally missing lateral incisors, which means that the permanent teeth had never formed. Following orthodontic treatment, Jessica was left with empty spaces in the lateral incisor positions which were temporarily replaced by denture teeth held by a retainer. Following a careful diagnostic work-up and careful communication with Jessica’s dentist (Dr. Debra Daren, East Lyme) a plan was developed to create a final result that would support optimal esthetics and harmony to Jessica’s smile.
We determined that the best approach would involve a minimally invasive single surgery approach. The goals for surgery would be gum and bone recontouring to match the height and shape of adjacent teeth, placement of two dental implants, and immediate “temporary” restoration of the implants. Dr. Daren attended the surgery at my office and immediately created temporary teeth following the surgical placement of the dental implants.
With this approach, Jessica was able to leave the office with her first set of new teeth on the same day. She was instructed to avoid aggressive chewing with these teeth over the first 6 weeks while the implants were healing in the bone. In addition, the advantage of the temporary restoration phase is that we can critically evaluate our progress during healing and make any modifications prior to the final restorations.
After approximately 4 months of healing, the implants formed a “union” with the surrounding bone. This process is called osseo-integration, and allows the implant to absorb and withstand biting forces. The gum tissues have also healed and matured around the temporary restorations. Dr. Daren then began the final restoration phase. Customized restorative materials were utilized with state-of-the-art tooth-colored supporting posts. The final porcelain restorations were carefully designed and created to match the shape and color of the surrounding the teeth.
With the team approach, we were able to achieve successful functional and esthetic results by utilizing the most appropriate surgical and restorative methods. Meticulous communication allowed us to capitalize upon the expertise of each doctors’ diagnostic and therapeutic skill sets. We have found that patients are most pleased with the final results of dental implants when receiving care from a carefully coordinated team consisting of an implant surgeon and restorative doctor.
This article first appeared in the 2010 September / October edition of the The New London Women’s Journal
Before I had my surgery for my dental implants, I never would have imagined receiving so many compliments on my smile. But thanks to Dr. Toback and my dentist (Dr. Daren), the experience could not have gone any smoother. My new smile has given me all the confidence in the world. Jessica H.