A 46-year-old male patient presented us with a recurring issue of his left central incisor breaking off despite multiple attempts by several dentists to cement it. The absence of a front tooth was causing him significant anxiety and social avoidance. It was crucial to figure out why his tooth kept breaking and prevent that from recurring.
We conducted a comprehensive assessment, including a full set of photographs, models, and bite registrations, and created a wax model to visualize the ideal structure and alignment of his teeth.
The patient was deeply committed to resolving his dental issues and even quit smoking before proceeding with the proposed treatment plan. This positive lifestyle change greatly contributed to the success of the final outcome.
With the help of an oral surgeon, we extracted the problematic left central incisor and placed an implant, giving us a four-month healing period before placing the final crowns. We decided to replace all the old crowns with new zirconia crowns for the upper teeth, extending from premolar to premolar, and for the lower teeth, from canine to canine. Although the midlines could not be adjusted due to the missing lower incisor, we enhanced the gingival level of the lower incisors using our Diode soft tissue laser. The patient also had retained a baby tooth on the lower left. We added white composite filling material to increase the height of the baby tooth so it can bite into the upper teeth.
Before designing the final crowns, we ensured that his temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were correctly positioned. The patient tested the temporary crowns for a few weeks to ensure comfort and fit. Time was of the essence and we were able to cement his final crowns and place his implant crown all in one day.
The result was outstanding, leaving the patient extremely pleased and unable to stop smiling!