Case 8

Fig. 1: A female patient without generalized diseases turned up in our dental office about 6 months after her lower jaw had been equipped with the Strategic Implant^® at www.simpladent.rs successfully and uneventfully. She requested a solution for the upper jaw, which presented the following problems: three 2-stage implants were affected by vertical and crater-like bone loss. All of her teeth showed profound periodontal involvement, her front teeth were slightly mobile.

Fig. 2: Intra-oral view of the pre-operative situation: Overly long crowns on three 2-stage implants and the exposed rough surface of the implants are visible. The frontal-group appears crowded and shows caries.

Fig. 3: Shows the micro-theaded 2-stage implants (of French origin). The implants are positioned quite vestibularly and their removal was easily possible: the degree of mineralitation at the remaining osseointegrated surfaces of the implants was apparently low. Following the removal of the implants, all teeth were also removed. In order to reduce the vertical step between the frontal zone and the distal zone of the upper jaw, around 6 mm vertical (crestal) bone in the frontal area was removed also (in an open flap procedure), and a total of 14 endosseous Strategic Implant^® were placed and anchored in the 2^nd and 3^rd cortical, according to the methods which had been defined in Strategic Implantology.

Fig. 4: Shows the clincial overview on the 3^rd post-operative day right after the removal of all sutures and before the final cementation of the full upper jaw bridge.

Fig. 5: Shows that in the left upper jaw, the new implants are placed more palatal than the old (former) implants.

Fig. 6: Shows the incorporated metal-to-composite bridge on day 3 after the operation. The vertical step has been treated successfully by partial removal of bone and alignment of the soft tissues, and by incorporating a bridge including a composite shield. Without lifting the upper lip with instruments, it would not be possible to see the transition area between the natural gums and the gums made from composite. The teeth were chosen similar in shape compared to her own teeth, the patient did not request to copy her former anterior crowding.

Fig. 7: Shows the smart and happy smile of the patient and the well-supported upper lip. During the following days, adjustments regarding occlusion and mastication between the upper and lower jaw were done before the patient was allowed to leave and go back into her normal life with the treatment accomplished.

Fig. 8: Post-operative panoramic overview picture with both bridges in place and regular 2^nd cortical anchorage for all Strategic Implant^® except the lower inter-foraminal area.