- 17 Gerard St, Cremorne, Sydney, NSW, 2090
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Why Do We Need Bone Graft for Dental Implants?
Why Do We Need Bone Graft for Dental Implants? - Patient Story
When we lose teeth we also inevitably lose bone. The loss of bone is more pronounced on the focal aspect rather than on the tongue side. The problem is that most front teeth are positioned on the facial aspect that makes your smile appear natural. This is ok when you have a low smile line that is when you smile you don’t show your gums. However when you have a high smile line (gums showing) then we can have problems with aesthetic outcome and refer this situation as an aesthetic risk assessment.
You see implants are not teeth. Teeth have taken millions of years to evolve. Implants are artificial devises that we place in the bone and allow integration. Therefore it is essential to place implant in correct 3D in the bone to allow natural tooth emerging through the gums. This is most difficult even for experienced specialists; however we all do our best to make it look right.
Initial Presentation
Ms. E. was referred by her sister, an existing patient, for specialist evaluation. After attending her general dental practitioner, Ms. E presented with recently extracted upper right first premolar. The extraction was traumatic and unfortunately the facial bone was removed at the same time. The dentist, unfortunately with minimal experience trying to provide provisional bridgework unnecessarily cut good adjacent two teeth.
We have the following problems:
- Loss of biology- ruthlessly cutting unrestored healthy teeth! Tooth 13 upper right canine tooth is now symptomatic! this is indefensible
- Traumatic extraction: loss of large chunk of facial bone causing horizontal and vertical defects
- High smile line with large facial defect
- Traumatised apprehensive patient!
This dentist should have sought a specialist opinion prior to extraction of tooth 14. As specialists we are trained in atraumatic extraction and know how to make non invasive provisional bridgework. The ignorance and arrogance of inexperienced dentists is a concern that all specialists and experienced general dentists share.
High smile line: The defect is clearly visible and most upsetting for this post graduate university lecturer and practicing lawyer. How do we fix this problem?
Treatment: 3D planning using CBCT (cone beam Ct) and diagnostic planning that included:
- Extent grafting required and 3D implant position
- Providing improved provisional bridgework to restore Ms. E’s confidence and reduce apprehension
- Complexity of treatment. Hence specialist intervention is required as precise outcome is critical
- Treatment outcome
- Patient’s assessment
- Pain on tooth 13.
- Food impaction in the extraction site defect
- Speech concerns as the provisional bridgework was impinging her tongue
- Aesthetic defect affects the quality of life of Ms. E
Diagnosis: Female patient presenting with traumatic tooth extraction and poor provisional bridgework that is creating discomfort and aesthetic disturbance.
Our Aim: control pain, site augmentation to allow correct implant placement and replacement of missing toot 14. Provision of new ceramic crowns on teeth 15 and 13. Improve the aesthetics of upper arch: tooth shape, display, tooth colour, length, symmetry and smile line in general along the upper arch. This was accomplished with minimal discomfort to the patient over 8 months. Yes it takes time and there are no shortcuts! To restore aesthetics we must first restore form and function. Replicating nature. Restoring fundamental building blocks of the smile.
Treatment
Following with discussion of all risks and treatment modalities with our patient that included:
- No treatment: this is not an option as this is an aesthetic defect that affects the quality of life of Ms E, she is a lawyer and lecturer and most conscious of her smile and speech impediment.
Procedure & Results
The work was completed in 8 months. Using simultaneous site augmentation and implant placement. Ms. E was happy with the aesthetic outcome. We made no guarantees that this aesthetic result would be achieved and Ms. E was informed and understood the limitations placed on the clinician.
As a specialist I always do my utmost for the best possible outcome. With dual qualifications in implant surgery and reconstructive dentistry I am able to perform these procedures in one setting which saves you time with reduction in costs of implant therapy, associated grafting procedures and final restorative outcome.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this patient’s story. I hope this gives you an idea of what I can do for you if you are having difficulty and need help, because there is always hope.
Dr. Sarkis Nalbandian
Visiting Professor YSMU
Specialist Prosthodontist & Implant Surgeon
B.D.S. (Hons), Dip. Clin. Dent. (Oral Implants) Uni Syd, M. Clin. Dent (Prosth) King’s College, Uni London
D. Clin. Dent (Prosth) Uni Syd, FRACDS, MRACD (Prosth) FIADE, FPFA