This was a challenging implant restoration case due to the alignment of implants. In order for the implant to osseointegrate firmly into the jaw bone we like to place the implants where the jaw bone is the thickest and strongest. In this case the best bone was not lined up nicely so we had to stagger the implants. I was still able to make the final implant crowns line up perfectly in the mouth.
Before and After
On these 2 crowns, the first porcelain and second gold, that I did last week in my office I show how I place retention grooves in my crown preparations to help lock my crowns in. These grooves prevent rotation and help secure the crowns in place. These slots allows for more surface area for the cement and results in a longer lasting restoration that holds firmly in place. This is especially important in short weak teeth. With this technique I am able to save teeth that otherwise would need to be extracted or require periodontal crown lengthening surgery.
Another option to replace missing teeth is to make a dental bridge attached to the patient’s teeth. This is also called a fixed partial denture and is cemented to the teeth on either side of the missing teeth.
Fixed upper bridge placed by Dr. Gentry
1. A 62 year old female patient with broken decayed front teeth.
2. Dr. Gentry was able to build up and restore her remaining front teeth and cement a 6 unit porcelain fused to metal bridge.
3. The bridge.
Another example of a bridge by Dr. Gentry
