Diane's Dental Makeover

Diane underwent several months of dental treatment to achieve her new smile. This included periodontal therapy, dental implants to support an anterior implant bridge and additional crowns on her upper teeth.

before

after

1. Why was Diane a good candidate for these procedures?

This patient presented with an advanced chronic Periodontal infection which required many steps in order to achieve healthy tissues and improve her overall health.

The fundamental basis of implant treatment is to make sure that the overall condition of the patients mouth is absolutely healthy. Otherwise, we can compromise the health and longevity of implant and prosthetic treatment. After treating the Periodontal disease and achieving a stable and healthy condition of the patients gums,then we proceeded with planning for the replacement and rehabilitation of the missing teeth.

2. How did you develop a plan for treating Diane's concerns?

The front teeth required removal as they were too compromised to keep them and treat them periodontally. The patient knew this from the outset and she also knew that the ultimate replacement will be done with an implant supported fixed prosthesis.

Once her teeth were extracted in the upper front, a bone graft was placed in order to maintain and regenerate her jaw bone which would provide an adequate anatomical area to place two implants. We allowed a period of 6 months of healing from the time of tooth extraction, bone grafting and implant placement.

A cone beam CT scan was done at the 6 month period and a virtual implant surgery was done in order to make a custom surgical guide. This guide was used during surgery I. Order to place the implants in he exact position required for this particular case.

 

3. Was her treatment out of the ordinary?

Her treatment consisted of first bringing back health to her gums and teeth, making sure that a stable periodontal condition was present in order to continue with her implant treatment plan. It's a very detailed plank which requires many steps in order to prepare the mouth for dental implant surgery.

4. How long did Diane's transformation take?

The treatment time was 16 months (?) I don't have marks notes so not sure when re placed the final bridge.

5. Is there an ideal candidate for these procedures?

The ideal candidate is always one which is healthy, complies with all appointments and instructions, and of course protects the final prosthesis with wearing a night guard and keeping all maintenance dental visits.

 Dr. Mark Librach Dentist

 

         

 Dr. Dana Levy - Periodontist & Implant Dentistry

 



Jonathan Mursic                                                        Connie

 5 Axis Lab                                                                Treatment Coordinator

 

 

Barbara's Dental Makeover!

 

Barbara underwent several procedures to achieve her new smile. This included root canal therapy, surgical crown lengthening of upper anteriors and full crown and bridgework on upper teeth.

 



 

After

Before

 

 

What was her chief concern about her teeth?

Barbara's previous bridgework was failing. One of the teeth that supported her bridge were breaking down and needed adjunctive gum surgery to make them candidates for support for the new prosthesis. Her case presented some challenges as she had also lost some posterior support. She would require restoration of her bite to complete her treatment. Ideally implants would be the best option but she opted at this time for partial dentures until implants could be considered.

Why are implants the better option in many cases?

implants are now the treatment of choice in most cases when it comes to the replacement of lost teeth. Although they are biologically different from teeth, they act like teeth in many ways. Aesthetically they are usually the best way to mimic what nature originally gave us. They can stand alone as individual teeth, something a bridge or partial denture can't.  Implants do not affect the adjacent teeth, unlike other alternatives that rely on adjacent teeth for fixation or support. However, implants do come at a higher cost but that is only in the short term. Over the long haul, properly integrated and maintained implants can be a bargain when you consider the costs associated with maintaining and replacing the other alternatives. 

 

 

Before

 

 

After

 

What further treatment will Barbara need as she moves forward?

Post treatment care is always the key to a successful restoration. maintenance at home as well as frequent visits to the dentist for examination and cleaning of the restoration and all of her teeth will help ensure many years of smiles.  in addition, the sooner implants are placed in the posterior dentition the better.  for it's the posterior teeth that protect the anterior teeth and the smile.

Treatment was possible through a team effort!

 

Dr. Mark Librach

Dentist



Dr. Jon Rapp                                                           Dr. Dana Levy

Endodontist                                                               Periodontist



Jonathan Mursic                                                        Connie

5 Axis Lab                                                                 Treatment
                                                                                  Coordinator                                                  

To view other dental makeover click on the following:
Laurie's Dental Makeover
Carol's Dental Makeover
Martine's Dental Makeover
To learn more about implant click the following:
Dental Implants
 

Implant Dentistry Day Three

Using this advanced technology will make your dental surgery more effective and comfortable for you.

As they say, sadly, 'all good things must come to an end' and certainly this conference and my stay in Lugano has come to an end.

Day 3 has been a shorter one, packed with back to back short sessions by clinicians showing the use of 'Ultrasonic Bone Surgery' using the piezoelectric machine in all different aspects of Oral, Periodontal and Maxillofacial surgery. I will not go into all technical details, but I can definitely say that the way we will do bone surgery from now on, will be different than what has been done so far, providing we have available this great machine that has all the advantages mentioned so far.

The piezosurgery system uses ultrasound waves to cut bone without damaging soft tissue. Whereas traditional methods of bone-cutting, such as drills and burs, result in some tissue and bone loss regardless of the dentist’s precision, piezosurgery technology eliminates this risk. This means I am able to perform procedures such as crown lengthening, ridge expansion, periodontal therapy, and implant site preparation with increased accuracy and minimal discomfort.

The fact that its so precise and does not cut soft tissues, the possibilities are endless. I can now shape the bone better, go in between teeth without risking the health of the teeth, the inserts are so fine. The indications and possibilities of use are just greater than I thought! I feel privileged to have this machine at our office and have it at my disposal for treating my patients.

So, in conclusion, it has been a great trip and learning experience, tiring, but energizing and inspiring to come on Monday morning and share all of this with my fellow colleagues at Dentistry on Dundas.

Ciao!!!