This is an interesting case of a patient with missing lateral incisors. His before photos shows an old type of a metal bridge that had decay and unesthetic teeth. Several options were considered and investigated: 1) Use of dental implants for the missing teeth 2) Use of fixed bridges and porcelain veneers The use of implants was going to entail bone grafts then implant placement with the possibility of using a 3mm diameter implant, which is very small. The adjacent teeth both had decay and were going to need crowns even if the implants were done. Sometimes this is a difficult choice to make.
Decayed and unethstic teeth: Missing Lateral Incisors
Fixed Bridges and Veneers
In this case, the patient elected to forgo the bone grafting and dental implant surgery and proceed with fixed bridges and porcelain veneers. This is not to say that dental implants are not a good choice. The lower teeth were whitened prior to treatment. A natural smile and contour was desired by the patient. We designed this case accordingly and used what is called “ovate pontics” to create the appearance that the missing teeth are coming out of the gums as opposed to laying on top of the gums. This was accomplished using a laser to contour the gum tissue-no pain associated with this. The strength in these bridges is excellent as we used Emax ceramics. In overview, the patient was elated and loves his smile. If you have any questions about Houston Cosmetic Dentistry or Houston Porcelain Veneers, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF
