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Full Upper Jaw Case with Computer Planning
Case Histories
A demonstration of how computer planning can aid in reconstructing a patient's jaw.
 

 

Figure 1
1. The computer image of the CT results showing the relationship between the bone, the planned position of the teeth, and the implants.

Figure 2
2. Similar view of the upper jaw: The floor of the nose and the proposed implant positions can be seen here - the “virtual denture” has been deleted from the computer screen.

Figure 3
3. The model of the fitted implants. In the end only 5 implants were used in this case.

Figure 4
4. A view of the final prosthesis. In this instance it was constructed in porcelain built on a metal framework (palladium alloy) which was part cast, part milled and laser welded.

Figure 5
5. The finished prosthesis in the mouth. The “bridge” of teeth is screwed down onto the implants.

Mrs G (aged 64) requested a full upper jaw reconstruction with a fixed-tooth solution.

Following computer analysis of her CT scan results, the optimal position for the implants was established using medical imaging computer software. This idealized computer plan was then translated into an actual treatment outcome via the use of a precise surgical guide, which was itself generated from the computer data. This guiding system locks the trajectories of the implant drills into the precise 3-dimensional positions, as previously planned in the computer software programme. The whole process thereby ensures that the final optimal positioning of the implants is as predetermined on the computer.

In this particular case, the final prosthesis included a base of pink porcelainwork to compensate for the loss of gum height that had occurred over the years.

 

Figure 6
6. The screw holes are filled with a white filling once the patient confirms all is well after a short trial period (usually after 2-3 weeks).

Figure 7
7. View from the front with the lips retracted.

Figure 8
8. The view from the front in normal function. In cases such as these where we establish that some form of artificial pink gumwork is required, the “join” between the pink porcelain and the gum is kept out of view above the lip/smile line.