“Before and After” Dental Implant Photo Gallery
Today's modern dental technology allows us to change your smile and your life. These are select and actual photos of patients treated at Comfort Dental over the past 20 years. For individual needs please call our office at 248-646–2273 to schedule an appointment and learn more about our computerized simulation system, which can show you what improvements may be possible for your smile before any work is done.
Results That Will Make You Smile
When a patient gets tired of poor dental care and wants to get rid of their dentures, it's time to bring out Operation Freedom. The patient pictured above was never offered today's dentistry by her regular dentist. He felt that she was doing fine wearing partials and worn down teeth. She did not know that she had an option. Although we could not save many of her existing teeth due to infection caused by lack of proper dental care, we were able to place 11 implants, 3 bridges, and 5 crowns to give her back her life. She simply broke down crying and wondering why she could not have had this care done sooner. This case was done with neuromuscular approaches for optimal fit and clearly defined bite mechanics. Bone grafting techniques were also used to improve the quality and longevity of the bones holding the implants.
C.J. came to our office with complaints of headaches and jaw dysfunction. Multiple modalities of treatment were used, finalized with a complete makeover utilizing implants and crowns. Notice the new support and the straight smile. Notice the changes in the XRs, including the proper stability and number of teeth gained by using implants
Occlusal Reconstruction with Implants
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A few decades of old dentistry and bite collapse. Notice the lack of a confident smile!
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A new and vibrant smile with the best of today's modern implant and prosthodontic technology. Notice the improvement in facial features and confidence!
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Before -
After
Our 50+ business executive had visited our office several times in the past few years inquiring about options to improve her smile and chewing. The majority of the dental work that she had performed over the last few decades was failing, along with several teeth that had become hopeless. Her biggest fear was that she no longer had any teeth that were strong enough to “survive.” She was not prepared to undergo implant procedures due to fear of the extent of the surgery involved. She had visited many local area prosthodontists, general dentists, and oral surgeons in order to get as many opinions as possible about her situation. Most of the dentists she saw did not feel comfortable treating her problems due to the complexity involved. Several oral surgeons indicated the need for sinus surgery and bone grafting in order to provide support for her back teeth. She could not envision undergoing such care. She came back to our office with a desire to find the most conservative approach to her care.
After consulting with our implant surgeon, we decided to implement the easiest and most conservative approach to her care. As extensive surgery was out of the question for our patient, we decided to see what alternative approaches could be used.
Transcranial XRs and EMG analysis were used to accurately determine the optimal position for her muscle and jaw function. Without these tests, such cases can be destined to fail. Our Myotronic testing equipment allows us to provide the best possible analysis and blueprint for the most important part of all major reconstructive procedures: diagnosis and planning!
Our analysis continued with a “mock-wax-up” analysis of her tooth and jaw alignment, which was based on the result of our EMG study. This laboratory procedure is a key component that is crucial to starting the nuts and bolts of the architectural blueprints for any major dental reconstructive work, especially the ones that requires bite rehabilitation. Our final analysis indicated that we could provide a minimum 4-fold increase in her bite efficiency without having to perform extensive surgical approaches. The patient was ecstatic about our analysis, especially considering that her existing bite was failing.
Immediately, 4 implants were placed in one visit and without the need for major surgery or bone grafting. The position of these implants was optimized by the previous “mock” study. A surgical template guide was made for our surgeon in order to guide the proper placement of the implants and insure optimal position.
4 months later, we proceeded to fabricate 22 new crowns and a cantilever bridge. The cantilever bridge replaced the need for other surgical procedures that would have been required to place more implants in the back of the mouth (which lacked proper bone support.)
In the patient's own words: “I am only upset with one thing right now…and that is that I should have listened to you many years ago when you gave me these options and not run around to so many other dentists looking for answers. I should never have waited so long. I wish I could have had this new bite and this attractive smile years ago. I just love it! I am a new person and I can't believe how good my smile looks and how well I can chew. Just incredible!”
Dentures Implant Reconstruction with Overdenture
John came to our office with complaints of poor dental work that he had done with his previous dentist. Failing crowns had resulted from poor workmanship. He wanted a new smile that he could be proud of. We saved as many teeth as possible with root canals and then placed 3 implants for additional stabilization. Utilizing overdenture techniques, along with his implants, we were able to give him the smile that he always wanted. Notice the improvement in the smile and the features of the lower face.
Implant Reconstruction for Failings Bridges
This 60+ year old patient presented to our office after being referred by his case worker.He had just completed a full rehabilitation and reconstructive program with another local area specialist. The previous specialist had finished reconstructive work on all of his teeth. He had 12 new crowns on the upper teeth and 2 bridges on the lower jaw. Implants were not used as a treatment protocol. Good decision was also not used by his previous treating dentist.
His bridges were failing, his teeth were infected, and he was in severe and constant pain. We treated this case as part of a comprehensive TMJ Headache therapy program.
Notice (left) how his preliminary condition and reconstruction caused a severe overbite with displacement of the jaws. Implants were not offered! Notice (right) how our comprehensive treatment program gave him a new stable, confident, and amazing smile, utilizing implants to provide the foundation required!
Implant dentistry can provide the necessary foundation for rebuilding your mouth. Bridges, when teeth are present, can provide the same benefit. Unfortunately, when one is chosen over the other in some cases, severe consequences can happen.
Notice the severe overbite (you can't see the bottom front teeth) and notice the missing back teeth…no stability!!! This is how his previous specialist had left his bite. Shameful!
Transcranial XRs were used to confirm the displaced position of his jaws. He had a chronic joint problem which was never diagnosed or even evaluated.
The work that was performed lacked functions, stabilization, and standard of care. The crowns had poor fit, the bite was collapsed and the roots under the bridges were infected.
Our treatment goal was to provide the needed stabilization. Implant surgery was required. 2 implants were placed on the lower jaw and 3 on the upper. This allowed us to rebuild his bite to the proper position. Without the implants, we would not have been able to achieve the required stability needed to “hold” his jaws in the right position.
The implants were ready to go to work after only 4 months. EMG studies and careful planning were a big part of his preliminary workup.
A new balanced bite and stability provided by the implants gave us the ability to return him to a normal life.
Do your homework before you decide to undergo any extensive dental reconstructive work! A happy, comfortable and confident smile often requires implant reconstruction.
