Dental Implants & Gum Surgery

Dental Implants & Gum Surgery / Anterior Esthetics

Dental implants are a ideal solution to treat Congenitally Missing Lateral Incisors (Hypodontia).  Missing lateral incisors affects approximately 2% of the general population, with a prevalence towards females.  The exact etiology or cause is unclear why certain people never develop teeth.  The replacement of congenitally missing lateral incisors can be esthetically difficult for both Surgeons and restorative Dentist.  Although, Dental Implants are great solution for this problem, certain concerns have to be addressed.  Typically, these patients have inadequate volume of bone for Dental Implants due to the fact that teeth were never present.  Also, inadequate spacing is seen because of the same problem.  Therefore, a team approach between the Orthodontist, Surgeon, and Dentist is required to create the best situation for a esthetic outcome.

Interested in Dental Implants and how they can be placed in a minimally invasive way? Check out the Dental Implant Page.

Dental Implant Case Presentation

The current patient was referred to me from her Dentist for a Esthetic & Dental Implant evaluation.  I diagnosed the patient with congenitally missing lateral incisors and a irregular gingival contour with short clinical crowns.  I discussed treatment options with the patient and a final treatment plan was determined and confirmed with her Dentist.  Surgical treatment included esthetic crown lengthening of the maxillary sextant to correct the irregular gingival contour and 2 Straumann Dental Implants were placed.  After healing the Dentist redefined the crown preps and 2 implant supported custom abutments were torqued.  The Dentist restored the patient with full coverage porcelain crowns.  The patient was extremely pleased with the esthetic outcome.  Collaboration between I and the patient’s Dentist allowed for the best execution of treatment that resulted in a esthetic outcome.

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