Ms D came to us in 2014 when her dentist retired. He had told her that there was bone loss around her implants, which had been placed several years earlier to replace Ms D’s missing upper teeth on both sides.
Ms D first saw Cathleen Perrin at Elmsleigh House for a thorough new patient assessment. Cathleen referred her to Tim Thackrah, lead of the dental implant team at Elmsleigh House, who determined she had ‘peri-implantitis’ or infection around five of the six upper implants, and that this had caused moderate to severe bone loss – the implants were failing.
It was determined to first try and stabilise the implants with a series of dental hygiene appointments with Ellen Knaap to clean thoroughly around the implants, and reviews with the dental implant team.
Despite a rigorous dental hygiene regimen, Ellen asked Cathleen to review Ms D’s treatment as the peri-implantitis was worsening. Cathleen determined that some of the implants had lost bone supporting them, and reviewed her treatment with the dental implant team. Together they determined the options were to continue with dental hygiene, but this would just delay when the implants would fail, or to remove the affected implants and plan a long-term replacement.
After discussion with Ms D, it was agreed that the best way forward would be to remove the five upper failing implants, make and fit a temporary plastic denture and carry out sinus bone grafting to ensure sufficient bone to securely place new implants. After allowing several months to heal, five high-quality implants were placed.
Ms D elected to have all surgery under intravenous sedation, which made her deeply relaxed throughout treatment. As intravenous sedation is a deep sedation, patients needs to bring an adult chaperone with them to the clinic during treatment and to drive then home and stay with them afterwards.
Ms D’s temporary denture was adjusted and refitted to ensure she was not left with any gaps. A healing period of six months enabled the implants to fully integrate and Ms D’s bone and gum to fully heal. The implants were then uncovered, tested and healing caps attached; the denture was adjusted to ensure it fitted throughout.
Ms D saw Cathleen Perrin for the final restorative work. Two bridges were made to fit onto the implants to replace the missing teeth. She also replaced an old crown to improve its appearance and make the final result of the implant bridge on that side look much better. All cosmetic crowns and bridgework were made to match the colour, shape and lustre of Ms D’s other teeth to ensure a natural appearance; you can see colour matching in these pictures.
The crowns and bridgework were trialled in place to ensure Ms D and Cathleen were happy with the fit and appearance, and then definitively fitted.
Overall the treatment, from extractions, sinus bone grafting, five implants placed and cosmetic crowns and bridgework fitted, took two years to complete to allow sufficient healing in between stages.
Ms D was delighted with the result:
"I just wanted to thank you all for all the hard work and patience that has resulted in my new teeth. After two years I now have my new bridges supported by five implants. It took a long time - and sometimes I felt I spent more time at Elmsleigh House than at home - but it was totally worth it!
So to you all, a very big thank you. Rest assured that I will be very careful to ensure that my new teeth last as long as I do!" Ms D, Surrey.
Listen to some of our patients talk about why they love their dental implants!
