Full Mouth Rehabilitation with Dental Implants and Fixed Dental Prostheses

Advances in dental implant research, design and their clinical application have greatly changed dental care. Improved protocols in implant therapy over the last several decades have made implant supported restorations biologically and mechanically predictable.1-5 However, there is still a role for conventional tooth supported fixed dental prostheses.6 Full arch implant-supported restorations are increasingly popular, but many patients are not psychologically ready for the extractions and alveolectomy that is often required. The following case presentation demonstrates the combined use of dental implants and tooth supported fixed dental prostheses to restore the patient’s esthetics and function.

FIGURE 1.  Smile photo of the patient at initial presentation.
 

FIGURE 2. Frontal view at maximum intercuspation at initial presentation.

FIGURE 3. Maxillary occlusal view at initial presentation.
 

FIGURE 4. Mandibular occlusal view at initial presentation.

FIGURE 5. Panoramic radiograph at initial presentation.

FIGURE 6. Diagnostic wax-up of posterior teeth after stone duplication of the anterior wax-up.

FIGURE 7. Diagnostic wax-up of the planned occlusal plane.

FIGURE 8. Frontal view of acrylic provisionals.

FIGURE 9. Frontal view of provisionals in protrusion.

FIGURE 10. Frontal view of provisionals in right laterotrusion.
 

The patient presented with the chief complaint of poor esthetics and difficulty in mastication. The patient reported having hypertension and hyperlipidemia, which was treated and controlled by the patient’s physician. The patient smoked one pack a day but quit nine years ago. Many years of infrequent dental visits had resulted in a loss of many posterior teeth. The loss of posterior support, compounded with caries, periodontal disease, attrition and fracture, led to the loss of vertical dimension, extrusions, malpositions and a compromised plane of occlusion.

FIGURE 11. Frontal view of provisionals in left laterotrusion.

FIGURE 12. Right view of provisionals at maximum intercuspation.

FIGURE 13. Left view of provisionals at maximum intercuspation

FIGURE 14. Smile photo of patient with provisional restorations.

FIGURE 15. Maxillary occlusal view at time of final impression.

FIGURE 16. Mandibular occlusal view at time of final impression.

FIGURE 17. Right view at time of final impression.

FIGURE 18. Left view at time of final impression.

FIGURE 19. Fabrication of custom impression copings using pattern resin to duplicate the emergence profile of the provisional implant restorations.

FIGURE 20. Custom impression copings accurately capture the soft tissue profile and transfer that information to the laboratory technician. It also splints open tray impression copings together during the impression.

Alginate impressions were taking to fabricate diagnostics casts after a comprehensive extraoral and intraoral exam. After determination of the etiology and diagnosis of the patient’s condition, CR records were taken at an increased vertical dimension of 1 mm. Casts were mounted and a diagnostic wax up was completed for the anterior teeth. A posterior denture tooth set up was completed on the same casts. After patient approval, anterior teeth were prepared and provisional restorations were fabricated. A jig in the posterior region helped transfer the planned vertical dimension on the articulator to the patient. Posterior teeth were extracted and immediate interim mandibular and maxillary partial dentures were delivered after anterior provisionals were completed. The provisional restorations provided function and esthetics while the increased vertical dimension, plane of occlusion, and functional movements were evaluated.

FIGURE 21. Maxillary final impression. Custom impression copings were sectioned and re-luted intraorally to compensate for material shrinkage.

FIGURE 22. Mandibular final impression capturing teeth preparations, implants, and soft tissue profile.

FIGURE 23. Maxillary metal frameworks.

FIGURE 24. Mandibular metal frameworks to be tried in.

FIGURE 25. Right view of frameworks on a semi-adjustable articulator.
 

FIGURE 26. Left view of frameworks on a semi-adjustable articulator. Occlusal clearance for porcelain is evaluated.

FIGURE 27. Maxillary final restorations.

FIGURE 28. Mandibular final restorations.
 

FIGURE 29. Frontal view of final restorations at delivery in maximum intercuspation.
 

FIGURE 30. Frontal view of final restorations in protrusion.

After three months of healing, a secondary wax up of the posterior teeth was completed. Radiographic and surgical guides were fabricated. A CBCT evaluation was done. AstraTech Osseospeed implants were placed at sites #16,15,14 and #24,25,26 with a concurrent right lateral sinus augmentation. Implants were also placed at sites #36, 34, 44, 46. After three months of healing, all implants were uncovered and direct screw-retained implant provisionals were fabricated. All provisional restorations were adjusted to train the soft tissue, evaluate esthetics, phonetics, centric and eccentric tooth contacts. The goal was to transfer this information accurately to the laboratory so the final outcome was predictable. Investing more time in the provisional restorations reduced the chance of adjustments or remaking the definitive restorations.

FIGURE 31. Frontal view of final restorations in right laterotrusion. Canine guidance was developed.
 

FIGURE 32. Frontal view of final restorations in left laterotrusion. Canine guidance was developed.
 

FIGURE 33. Maxillary occlusal view of final restorations.

FIGURE 34. Mandibular occlusal view of final restorations.
 

FIGURE 35. Right view of final restorations.

FIGURE 36. Left view of final restorations.

FIGURE 37.  Smile photo of patient with final restorations.

FIGURE 38. Panoramic radiograph at final delivery.
 

After the patient was satisfied with the provisional restorations, the task was to transfer the information to the laboratory so definitive restorations have similar esthetics and function. To capture the soft tissue architecture, customized impression copings were fabricated using pattern resin. This prevented any soft tissue collapse immediately after removal of the provisional restoration and it was less likely the definitive restorations will be under or over-contoured. After material shrinkage, the resin was sectioned and the impression copings were reluted intraorally. A final open tray impression was taken using heavy and light-bodied polyvinylsiloxane capturing both implants and tooth preparations. Alginate impressions were taken of the provisional restorations and these casts were cross-mounted to the master casts using the screw-retained implant provisionals. This allowed the technician to fabricate definitive restorations that followed the plane of occlusion determined by the provisionals. In addition to a facebow transfer, the cross-mounted casts of the provisionals provided the technician with information regarding the occlusal cant, length, angulation, size and shape of the restorations determined by the practitioner and the patient. Metal frameworks were tried in to determine the fit, marginal seal and proper support for porcelain. Definitive restorations were tried in and occlusion, contacts, fit and retention were checked. Ceramometal crowns on #13, #12 and fixed dental prostheses from #11-x-22-23 and #33-32-x-42-43 were cemented with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Posterior implant screw-retained splinted restorations in the maxilla from #16-15, #25-26 and single screw-retained crowns at #14, #24 were torqued in. Mandibular implant restorations from #34-x-36 and #44-x-46 were also delivered. Screw access holes were filled with teflon tape and composite. A nightguard was fabricated for the patient to minimize risk of porcelain chipping and fracture. Frequent recalls and maintenance for this patient was crucial to prevent the recurrence of  caries, periodontal disease and prosthetic complications.OH

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Dr. Siu is a board certified Prosthodontist practicing at Dr. Mark Lin Prosthodontic Center, Markham Family Dentistry, and Foresthill Prosthodontists.

Oral Health welcomes this original article.

References:
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3. Scheller H, Urgell JP, Kultje C, Klineberg I, Goldberg PV, Stevenson-Moore P, et al. A 5-year multicenter study on implant-supported single crown restorations. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1998;13(2):212-8.

4. Smith DE, Zarb GA. Criteria for success of osseointegrated endosseous implants. J Prosthet Dent. 1989;62(5):567-72.

5. Jung RE, Pjetursson BE, Glauser R, Zembic A, Zwahlen M, Lang NP. A systematic review of the 5-year survival and complication rates of implant-supported single crowns. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2008;19(2):119-30.

6. Torabinejad M, Anderson P, Bader J, Brown LJ, Chen LH, Goodacre CJ, et al. Outcomes of root canal treatment and restoration, implant-supported single crowns, fixed partial dentures, and extraction without replacement: a systematic review. J Prosthet Dent. 2007;98(4):285-311.