ANTERIOR IMPLANT RESTORATIONS – CHALLENGE AND COMPROMISE.
A CASE REPORT
ANTERIOR IMPLANT RESTORATIONS –
CHALLENGE AND COMPROMISE.
A CASE REPORT
Abstract
Aim: to present implant restorative treatment and retreatment in light of
patient feedback.
Summary: A patient with extensive restorative treatment including implant
supported fixed prosthodontics is presented as not satisfied with the
definitive restorations, which were ultimately rejected and removed.
Communication with patient was affected by the fact that he could not
use his native language during discussion with the dentists involved in
the treatment. Moreover, the majority of dentists who participated in the
treatment could not use their native languages.
After a number of unsuccessful provisional restorations, decision is made to
start over the prosthetic design approach from wax-up stage.
Lately, precedence has been given to improved esthetics and lip support,
while compromising on other desirable features, such as a smooth, easy to
clean emergence profile. The patient was happy with the final outcome and
agreed to spend extra time with hygiene measures, while benefiting from
better esthetics and lip support.
Key learning points: 1. Patient expectations are paramount for treatment
success and should be identified early on during evaluation phases.
2. Implant restorations are not without limitations and compromises may be
necessary in order to provide an acceptable prosthesis.
3. Definitive restorations should only be fabricated and delivered after assurance
that the design provided by provisionals was tried and accepted by the patient.
Cite this article:
Uram-Ţuculescu S.
Anterior Implant
Restorations – Challenge
and Compromise.
A Case Report.
Stoma Edu J. 2014;
1(2):131-137.
Sorin Uram-Ţuculescu*
Department of Prosthodontics, School of
Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA, USA
DDS, MS, PhD, Assistant Professor
Keywords: implant, emergence profile, lip support
Introduction
After decades of implant dentistry with predictable results, titanium implants of various
shapes and textures claim a mainstream role in providing infrastructure in state-of-the-art
restorations.
Despite impressive standardization and ease of use of treatment protocols, anterior
restorations supported by implants may still encounter problems. Sometimes, clinically
satisfactory prostheses, as assessed by practitioners, are not accepted by certain patients.
Case Presentation and History
During the following, the reader is presented with a clinical case resto red in the
Department of Graduate Prosthodontics in the School of Dentistry – University of North
Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, U.S.A.
Mr. CM (male, 50 years old) presented with moderate generalized and localized
severe periodontitis (Fig.1 a, b), seeking for treatment options. After a comprehensive
STOMA.EDUJ (2014) 1 (2)
Received: 28 August 2014
Accepted: 13 September 2014
*Corresponding author:
Assistant Professor Sorin Uram-Tuculescu,
DDS, MS, PhD
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry,
Virginia Commonwealth University
Wood Memorial Building,
521 North 11th Street, Room # 304 D
PO Box 980566 Richmond, VA 23298-0566, USA
Tel: 804-628-3742, Fax: 804-827-1017
e-mail: [email protected]
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