Featured Case 05/21: FULL ARCH DENTAL IMPLANTS

Patient:

Kathy is a 69-year-old female who came to our practice accompanied by her husband.

The problem:

• Kathy reported a loss of her “bubbly self”.
• Over the years she had progressive teeth deterioration, pain, and gum disease.
• Her compromised dental condition made her very self-concerned, and she lost her confidence in social situations.
• Her problem escalated to her becoming reclusive and avoiding spending time with the people she cared for the most.
• She was unable to eat the foods she once did and wasn't smiling as much as she did before.

Patient History:

• Kathy reports a history of hypertension, asthma, and hypercholesterolemia.
• Admittedly, she expressed that she may not have been the most compliant dental patient in the past.
• She was aware that she had severe gum disease (periodontitis) and decay which was painful and odiferous.
• She made the effort to see her dentist in recent times and after a very objective consultation was referred for a surgical consult.
• She received a referral to extract (remove) all her remaining teeth in preparation for dentures.

Pertinent Information:

• After a short time with upper and lower dentures, Kathy could not tolerate it anymore.
• She found that dentures were uncomfortable and not very stable.
• In fact, the dentures became progressively looser and more unstable.
• Teeth preserve bone and when you lose them, the bone deteriorates.
• Dentures need bone on which they sit. As the bone atrophies (shrinks), dentures become more unstable.
• *Without teeth, you also lose lip and facial soft tissue support and the “aged look” is accelerated.

Procedures:

• Kathy was frustrated with dentures and was eventually referred to have dental implants to secure new solid teeth.
• She chose to have the upper implants first since she could not taste her food very well with the denture that covered the roof of her mouth.
• She came in for surgery and left with teeth immediately attached to the implants.
• This gave her immediate cosmetic improvement and comfort. She also noticed an improvement in the taste of foods.

• She was still challenged by the mobility and looseness of the lower denture and also decided to have implants on the lower jaw.

• Temporary upper and lower prostheses were attached for her comfort and healing.
• Her dentist fabricated new custom hybrid fixed implant restorations for upper and lower teeth replacement.
• These were solid teeth affixed to her implants. She does not have to remove them.

Commentary:

• Kathy was ecstatic over her results and newfound confidence.
• She returned to restaurants and enjoyed the food she so much desired.
• Her family noted that she returned to her “bubbly self” and enjoyed her family—especially her grandchildren.
• Dental implants are not just teeth replacement options. In our experience, they restore confidence, comfort, and quality of life.
• Teeth are the foundation of health and facial aesthetics. “Restoring one’s smile can restore one’s life”.