Mrs R was referred to Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic in Farnham to address the loss of her upper left second premolar and first molar. Seeking a durable and natural-looking solution, she consulted with implant dentist Hugh Cowley.
She saw Hugh Cowley for a dental implant consultation, who planned to replace Mrs R's missing teeth with two dental implants securing two crowns. This would give Mrs R fixed teeth, which would improve the appearance of her smile, support the gum and bone, stabilise her bite and make eating easier.
An x-ray of the area revealed that there was limited bone between her gum line and the base of her sinus (an airspace in her cheekbone). This meant Hugh needed to carry out a sinus lift and bone graft in preparation for implant placement; the sinus lift raised the sinus membrane and the bone graft added material to support the implant.
As Mrs R was nervous of dental procedures, these procedures were performed under relative analgesia ('gas and air'), where a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide was delivered through a nosepiece, making Mrs R feel relaxed and comfortable during treatment.
After a period of healing, Hugh placed the titanium implants under relative anaesthesia to put Mrs R at ease. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, actively preventing bone loss. After a healing period to ensure integration, Hugh took impressions and a colour match to make bespoke implant crowns to match her natural teeth.
Custom-made crowns were then crafted to match her natural teeth, initially fitted temporarily to ensure satisfaction before securing definitively in place.
During this time, Mrs R expressed concerns about the asymmetry of her upper central incisors, which was noticeable when she smiled.
She consulted with Specialist Periodontist Manoj Tank, who performed crown lengthening surgery on the upper right central incisor to harmonise the gum line. This surgical procedure involved removing a predetermined amount of gum tissue and some underlying bone under local anaesthesia to shape the area and make it look symmetrical.
A composite filling was added to maintain the new gum position, enhancing the overall symmetry of her smile.
Mrs R was delighted with the outcome, achieving a restored, confident smile through a combination of implant dentistry and periodontal expertise.
