A patient of ours had invested in veneers from a previous dentist for his upper front teeth (the anterior 6–10 teeth). The goal was to correct wear and discoloration to achieve a straighter, whiter smile. The cosmetic improvements served him well—until an unexpected complication arose.
A Sudden Setback
The patient experienced a fracture of his upper right lateral incisor at the gumline. Unfortunately, the tooth was non-restorable and required extraction. Understandably, he was upset by the news and faced a difficult decision regarding how to replace the missing tooth. Fortunately, our Urbandale, Iowa dentist was able to help!
Exploring Treatment Options
He was presented with multiple replacement options:
- Do nothing
- Wear a removable partial denture
- Choose a fixed partial denture (bridge)
- Opt for a dental implant
While some patients prefer to avoid surgery, the bridge would have required the removal of healthy, functioning crowns on adjacent teeth, compromising previously successful restorations. Additionally, non-implant solutions do not preserve the underlying jawbone after losing a tooth.
Choosing a Long-Term Solution
Fortunately, at Lawson Dentistry, we provide stable, natural-looking tooth replacements in the form of dental implants. After considering his options, the patient elected to proceed with this form of treatment. The dental implant:
- Preserved the bone with a titanium root replacement (the same material used in orthopedic procedures)
- Allowed adjacent restorations to remain intact
- Provided a permanent, non-removable solution
An important advantage in this case was the opportunity for Dr. Lawson to provide an immediate implant, removing the tooth and placing the implant during the same visit. This streamlined the timeline and allowed the patient to receive his final restoration in approximately six months, rather than the typical nine.
Aesthetic and Technical Challenges
Restoring a front tooth with an implant involves more than replacing the tooth itself—it requires precise management of the gum tissue for a natural look. Because the lateral incisor has a triangular shape, the surrounding gums needed to be carefully developed to avoid “black triangles,” or visible gaps that collect food and detract from the smile.
Additionally, Dr. Lawson faced the challenge of matching the new tooth to cosmetic work that had been performed 10 years earlier by a separate dentist.
Over the course of a month, we gently guided the gum tissue into optimal position using soft pressure. This technique encouraged the tissue to fill in properly for a seamless transition around the implant.
Final Outcome
To complete the restoration, our talented ceramist customized the final crown and included a touch of pink porcelain to simulate gum tissue. This attention to detail was essential for maintaining an even gumline, especially important for patients with a broad or high smile.
Both the patient and our team were thrilled with the final result. His smile is functional, healthy, natural-looking, and confident. This case is proudly featured in our Smile Gallery, highlighting the expertise and personalized care we strive to provide at Lawson Dentistry.
Contact Us Today
This patient’s story is just one of many who have come to Lawson Dentistry dissatisfied with the state of their smile and left with renewed confidence. If you’re interested in exploring treatment options, we invite you to contact us today. Call our office at (515) 278-4366 or click the button below to schedule your consultation.
