The Challenges and Triumphs of a Full-Mouth Reconstruction
Neglecting dental care for a few years can significantly impact one's oral health, causing various problems that demand attention and care.
This is the story of a patient who faced missing teeth, fractured teeth, decay, ill-fitting crowns, and more.
However, with the expertise and dedication of Dr. PavineeThis link leads to Dr. Pavinee's page at Seattle Specialty DentistryThis link leads to Home page, this patient's neglected dental health found a path to restoration and a beautiful smile.
The emotional hurdles: a pause in dental care
Life circumstances, including the loss of a loved one, had temporarily derailed the patient's focus on dental care. Overwhelmed by personal matters, the patient had neglected their oral health.
However, with a renewed perspective and determination, they were now ready to step toward dental treatment.
The dental dilemmas: a complicated dental canvas
The patient arrived at Seattle Specialty Dentistry with a laundry list of dental issues, encompassing:
- Missing teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Decay
- Poorly fitted crowns
- Generalized periodontal disease
Because of tooth extraction, the patient had been using a flipper to cover several teeth.
A flipper is a removable partial denture. It contains one or more artificial teeth that fit on the top or lower jaw. A flipper is often made from denture acrylic to ensure they blend perfectly with your smile. The denture is custom-made using an impression of your mouth.
The loss of posterior teeth led to an altered chewing pattern, putting extra stress on the front teeth. Additionally, the patient was dealing with bruxism (teeth grinding) and had defective crowns and bridges.
Crafting a solution: the path to a radiant smile
Dr. Pavinee proposed a full-mouth reconstruction with mutually protected occlusion to restore proper bite alignment and create a flawless smile.
The treatment plan included:
- Upper and lower impressions for a flipper.
- Extraction of three teeth and bone graft.
- Deep cleaning to address generalized tartar and periodontal issues.
- Implant placements for several teeth, addressing missing teeth, and ensuring proper support.
- Full-mouth reconstruction to correct the bite and enhance the smile's aesthetic appeal.
- Provision of a night guard to manage bruxism.
A new beginning: the transformation begins
The treatment plan was meticulously executed, with careful attention to every detail.
The patient's dental health was gradually restored, step by step, through a combination of restorativeThis link leads to the Restorative page procedures designed to rebuild the foundation of their smile.
The full-mouth reconstruction addressed the issues of tooth wear, canted smile, and occlusion problems, allowing the patient to regain a beautiful smile and optimal oral health.
Your journey toward a radiant smile
If you're facing dental challenges, know that a beautiful smile and healthy teeth are within reach.
Contact Seattle Specialty DentistryThis link leads to Home page to begin your transformative dental journey.
Together, we can create a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs, helping you achieve a confident, beautiful smile that you'll be proud to share with the world.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your consultation with Seattle Specialty Dentistry today and journey toward a radiant, confident grin!
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Or:
- Call us at: (206) 682-3383
We proudly offer professional dental services to people in the Seattle area.
This patient had fallen off her bike when she was younger. Her upper front tooth was fractured and required a root canal. Within a few years after the accident, the tooth began to badly discolor. And now that her braces were off, she wanted a pretty smile.
The damaged tooth obviously needed a crown, but the cause of the discoloration was a surprise. We discovered that a previous dentist had left cotton inside the tooth, and discoloration had occurred from bacteria and staining that accumulated inside. Once the decay was cleaned out and the tooth was restored, it had a very natural appearance.
Although she had faithfully gone to a dentist her whole life, this patient did not like her smile. She had undergone periodontal treatment, multiple extractions, orthodontic treatment and many restorations, but her teeth still appeared tired. She wanted them to sparkle.
To make a dramatic change, it is sometimes necessary to restore all of the teeth at once. That is what we did here, and the result is magical. Her teeth are white, spaces are filled in and everything matches beautifully. Our patient got her wish: Her new smile sparkles!
This patient had severely worn her four front teeth as a result of a bad bite. Orthodontic treatment was recently completed to position the teeth properly, but now, she needed to restore the worn teeth to complete her transformation.
Porcelain crowns were placed on the upper four front teeth. Their natural translucency, color and form make her look much younger.
Inferior dentistry hindered this model's career. Dull, opaque crowns with visible metal margins needed to be replaced. And, more teeth should be crowned to cover the dark, tetracycline-stained teeth.
A full, natural-looking, sparkling smile is ready for the camera. The porcelain crowns cannot be distinguished from real teeth.
This patient, a very busy and successful physician, was dissatisfied with his front crowns that were recently placed by another dentist. His stressful career had contributed to his habit of clenching and grinding, as evidenced by worn teeth and failing restorations. The new crowns were uncomfortable to his bite, and he had several complaints about their form.
The solution required a comprehensive approach. In order to make the teeth feel more comfortable, it is sometimes necessary to rebuild the bite entirely. By restoring all of the teeth, we were able to create a handsome, more youthful smile and achieve a more comfortable bite.
A gummy smile with teeth that appeared too short. All teeth had yellowed and were badly worn. Periodontal disease had weakened the support of all teeth, causing some to be unsalvageable.
A beautiful and healthy smile was achieved. Periodontal surgery improved the periodontal health and eliminated the gummy smile. Implants replaced the missing teeth. All teeth and implants were restored using individual porcelain crowns.
People often thought he had no upper teeth. His upper teeth did not show when he smiled. Ideal treatment for his underbite and wear would have included jaw surgeries and years of braces.
Personal life changes caused him to seek a more immediate solution. By shortening the lower front teeth and using crowns to lengthen all upper teeth, a dramatic result was achieved. After thoroughly preplanning this case, the actual treatment required only two appointments.
Smoking and periodontal disease deteriorated this celebrity's smile. Her natural teeth and restorations had become stained and discolored. Receding gums had exposed metal margins of old restorations and spaces between her teeth.
Her beautiful, youthful smile was restored. Our patient provided earlier photographs, which were used as a guide. Porcelain crowns filled the spaces between her teeth, eliminating the shadows. And, porcelain margins will never show the dark lines of metal margins.
This patient did not like her smile and felt that it was a hindrance to her career. Her teeth were discolored, most were badly worn, and her gum line had receded.
A beautiful cosmetic result was achieved using porcelain crowns. The porcelain crowns produced a whiter color and provided better form and contours to the teeth.
This patient suffered from years of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) symptoms. Contributing factors were her clenching and grinding habits, bad bite and severe wear of her teeth. She wanted to stop the pain and have a comfortable bite and pretty smile.
First, orthodontic treatment was necessary to move the teeth into their correct positions. Then, porcelain restorations were used to rebuild her bite and create a beautiful smile. All her goals were accomplished. She now wears a night guard to ensure that any grinding in her sleep will not harm her restorations or aggravate her TMJ.
This patient's front teeth were injured in a serious accident. Having completed orthodontic treatment and root canals, they were ready for restorations.
The beauty and function of her smile were renewed. Porcelain crowns restored the lighter color and more natural contours of her front teeth, creating a smile even better than it was before the accident.
Appearance and function were both important issues. Motivated by cosmetics, this patient also had many functional problems with her teeth. Cavities and falling restorations were present, and a grinding habit had caused her teeth to become worn, chipped and loose.
She now has the smile of her dreams. All teeth were restored using metal-ceramic crowns (the strongest ceramic restorations available). Crowns on weak teeth were splinted together to provide stability and support. Porcelain margins avoided metal shadows at the gum lines.
Certain medical conditions (such as acid reflux or bulimia) can allow stomach acids to destroy perfectly healthy teeth. Highly concentrated acids from the stomach literally dissolve the minerals from the teeth, causing sensitivity, discoloration, erosion and wear, and can lead to self-esteem issues.
Porcelain crowns literally revitalize teeth that have been damaged from wear or acid. The bite is improved, sensitivity diminishes, and form and color are like new.
An accident disfigured the appearance of this patient's smile. She had broken an incisor in a fall and needed the tooth repaired to restore her smile.
Her smile is whole again. A new porcelain crown created a repair that is virtually undetectable.
News flash: Hockey can be bad for your smile. A "high stick" fractured two lower teeth, and the angular fracture of the cuspid extended beneath the gum and bone. Many clinicians would have recommended extraction. But, we chose to save this tooth through a combination of orthodontic, periodontal and restorative dental treatment.
A combination of treatments saved this tooth and restored this smile. Following a root canal, the broken fragment of the original tooth was bonded into place. This allowed the orthodontist to move the tooth upward. Periodontal surgery then evened the gum line. Finally, a crown and veneer restored its original look, feel and function.
Each year, over $45 billion is spent on emergency dental procedures.
Without proper oral care, you can develop cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Not only does poor oral hygiene lead to emergency dental issues, but it is also related to chronic illnesses including heart disease and diabetes.
While 40% of adults experienced some form of dental pain over the last year, it can be difficult to tell if you have a dental emergency. There are certain conditions that require the attention of an emergency dentist.
If you think you have a dental surgery emergency, there are symptoms to look out for. Keep reading to learn what conditions are dental emergencies and where to find the best emergency dentist near you.
Severe Toothache
One of the most obvious signs of a dental emergency is that you have severe pain in your tooth. This is your body's way of telling you that your mouth needs attention.
While you search for an emergency dentist, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area or try rinsing your mouth out with salt water to prevent a possible infection. You can also take an over-the-counter pain killer to help manage your pain until you see the dentist.
Bleeding or Swollen Gums
Swollen or bleeding gums can be a signal that you need emergency dental care.
Experiencing sore gums or irritation from time to time can be normal. If you've recently had dental work done, your gums can feel swollen. However, gums that continue to bleed and are accompanied by swelling or pain are a strong indication that you need medical attention.
Jaw Swelling
Jaw swelling is uncommon unless you are having serious dental issues. This can be a sign that there is an underlying infection or severe irritation in your mouth. It can also signify a problem with your lymph nodes.
Reach out to an emergency dentist right away if your jaw is swollen.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Getting a tooth knocked out of your mouth due to impact can feel overwhelming. With fast action, you can preserve your tooth and have it reinserted by a well-trained dentist.
With this type of tooth loss, you want to take the tooth by its top and rinse it with warm water. Try to avoid touching the root of the tooth or handling it aggressively in case there is a crack. Place it into a container of milk and head to an emergency dentist.
Missing Filling
The purpose of a filling is to reinforce a damaged, cracked, or worn-down tooth. Without the filling, your tooth is vulnerable to chips, cracks, and further damage. It can even expose the nerves, or root of your tooth which can cause infections.
If you're missing a filling, you schedule an emergency visit with the dentist to have your filling replaced.
Broken Braces
Braces are metal wires and brackets that are placed on the teeth to straighten them out. While they can withstand lots of action in the mouth including chewing and talking, they can break.
When the wires become loose or break, they can cause discomfort and irritation for the wearer. They can also slow down the straightening process. If the wire breaks, avoid cutting it. Instead, maneuver the wire so it is not cutting into your mouth or lips.
Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist to have the braces reinforced.
Broken or Missing Crown
Dental crowns are placed on your teeth in order to protect a damaged or broken tooth. If the crown breaks or falls off, your tooth is exposed to potential infections and further damage.
Visiting an emergency dentist can save you the hassle and pain of a root canal or tooth extraction.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is a severe condition that can cause infection to spread through your jaw and even other areas of your body. This is a dental emergency that is a life or death condition.
This condition starts with a pocket of pus that turns into an infection. There are several symptoms that accompany dental abscess. These include severe toothache, swollen mouth and jaw, sore lymph nodes, fever, tooth sensitivity, and bumps around the infected tooth.
While getting in contact with an emergency dentist, be sure to rinse your mouth with salt water to prevent the infection from spreading.
What Conditions Are Not Dental Emergencies?
While there are several conditions that are potential emergencies, there are many dental issues that do not require urgent attention.
Generally, a toothache that is not too painful and unaccompanied by swelling is treated with over-the-counter medications. A chipped or cracked tooth also does not require an emergency dentist. Additionally, there are some chronic conditions that lead to bleeding gums or mouth sores that are no cause for alarm.
If you want to spare the added cost of emergency treatment, know what dental conditions are not considered emergencies.
Knowing When You Have a Dental Surgery Emergency
Taking action when you are experiencing dental issues is a great way to stay on top of your oral care but not all conditions require medical attention.
You might have a dental surgery emergency if you have a severe toothache, bleeding gums, jaw swelling, a knocked-out tooth, broken braces, a missing crown, or an abscessed tooth. Knowing these conditions can save your time and money for emergency services.
If you need emergency dental services, don't hesitate to contact us and Request an Appointment with Seattle Special Dentistry.
All clinical photography untouched and courtesy of Seattle Specialty Dentistry.