Mr H had damaged his upper front teeth when he was young and had undergone multiple dental treatments over the decades, which were failing. His upper four-tooth bridge had finally snapped off and the remaining two supporting teeth (his upper central incisor and upper left canine) were failing. Mr H currently had a removable denture, which he disliked, but it restored the gap in his smile. However, he wanted to have a more definitive long-term solution.
Mr H saw Hugh Cowley from the dental implant team for a thorough assessment and to plan a better long-term solution. Hugh found that the two teeth supporting his failed four-tooth bridge were not healthy nor strong enough to support a further bridge.
Hugh discussed the three options to consider:
Mr H and Hugh both agreed that dental implants would give the best outcome, with two dental being placed where he still had roots and then restoring these with an implant-supported four-tooth bridge. Once completed, Mr H would be able to eat as if these were his natural teeth and have confidence to smile again without fear the teeth would move or drop out when eating or speaking.
The starting point was to remove the two remaining roots under local anaesthesia; a temporary denture was made to prevent any gaps during healing.
After allowing for the sockets to heal, Hugh was able to place two dental implants under local anaesthesia. He was able to attach healing caps at the same time, which protrude slightly through the gum. Mr H's temporary denture was adjusted and refitted over the healing caps at this appointment.
The implants were then left for three months to fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration, and for the bone and gum to fully heal. This would enable them to securely hold a four-tooth bridge in place.
Once healed Mr H returned to see Hugh to take impressions to be sent to the laboratory to make a high-quality cosmetic implant bridge. This was made to match Mr H's natural teeth in terms of colour, lustre and translucency.
Once made, Mr H returned to have his four-tooth bridge temporarily fitted; he was shown it in the mirror and was immediately happy. Mr H trialled the bridge in place for a week to ensure he was happy with its appearance, fit and feel in his mouth; he returned a week later to have it definitively fitted in place.
Mr H now has secure replacement teeth that look and function like his natural teeth, and he is delighted with his restored smile.
