This 52 year old male had severe generalised periodontal disease, with specialist periodontal care unable to stop the deterioration of his gums or improve the increasing loosening of his teeth. He sought definitive remedial action through full dental clearance, but was circumspect on the prospect of full dentures.
In particular he felt he would not be able to tolerate a full upper denture because of gagging.
|
|
Remaining dentition, showing effect of generalised adult periodontitis. Whilst 4 or 5 teeth may have been kept, their remaining dentition was hopeless, and the patient was loathe to continue with ongoing periodontal management. he sought defini9tve removal of all teeth, and replacement by comprehensive prosthodontic care. |
 |
|
The clinical state of the smile generally, and the teeth individually show gaps between teeth, gum and bone shrinkage, and culminating in further loosening and sensitivity of the teeth. Specialist periodontal therapy was not successful at halting the progress of disease. |
The specialist oral & maxillofacial surgeon suggested a full upper fixed-horseshoe prosthesis, supported by four fixed dental implants to the maxilla. In the lower jaw, surgery to remove that remaining teeth was also synchronised with placement of two implants to help "lock" a removable full lower denture.
Immediately following a full dental clearance, his oral & maxillofacial surgeon placed four implants to the maxilla. Two implants are also placed to the lower canine regions.
Following 6 months of "settling" and "osseointegration", where temporary full dentures were worn, the patient returned to his dentist for initiation of a full upper fixed, implant-supported-dental prosthesis, and for modification of the lower denture to become "locked" to the lower implants through locator abutments.
X-ray image of four implants fixed to maxilla, with presence of a full zirconia supra structure, bolted internally to the integrated titanium bone implants. Two lower implants help "lock" a full lwoer denture firmly in place.
 
Photo showing final zirconia/porcelain supra structure in the upper jaw. The structure is firmly secured to four integrated implants. A small gap above the appliance allows for water-pick cleaning of the implant abutments.
 
Photos showing lower implant supported "locator" abutments. these help "lock" down a full lower denture.
 
Underside of full lower removable denture, showing female "locator" abutment dentures inserted into underside of fitting surface of denture. These devices firmly secure the lower denture during biting and chewing.
 
Final smile achieved. Surgery provided by Dr Paul Coceancig, and implant dentistry by Dr Andrew Nixon.
Click here to return to Full Arch Implant Reconstruction
|
