You never know at what point people will accept their treatment. This patient was diagnosed for a full mouth rehabilitation three years ago before starting his treatment. While we diagnose patients for treatment who exhibit clear clinical indications, oftentimes it is the timing that makes the difference between acceptance and non-acceptance.

In my practice, my entire team is dialed into ultimately giving a patient what they want. Meaning, we perform comprehensive and complex dentistry in our practice but only when the patient is ready. Maintaining a great relationship with the patient, during their hygiene appointments and caring for emergent needs allows us to support a great outcome while still taking care of what are the patient's priorities.

Clinical Conditions:

The patient’s primary goal was to lengthen teeth and to regain ability to smile. The patient had severe anterior wear with vertical dimension and bite collapse due to posterior hit and slide avoidance. He had also lost all anterior guidance. He was partially restored with lingual pin-retained gold onlays to hold canine guidance.

He had muscle soreness and a joint discrepancy due to disc displacement, vertical collapse and severe occlusal imbalance. We planned to increase VDO, re-establish joint position and balance muscles. Patient was deprogrammed prior to new bite position. In the patient’s final position he was raised 3+mm. Gold Dust Dental Lab fabricated Empress Esthetic restorations on the maxillary teeth as well as the lower anterior 10 and the lower 2nd molars were prepared for e.Max Press restorations.

This patient has now regained occlusal balance, stabilized the joint to recapture disc displacement and the ability to smile and chew. It was so rewarding to hear him say, “I just can’t believe I can see my teeth when I smile now”.

Dr. Mike Smith, practices in Phoenix, Arizona and is the Clinical Director for Clinical Mastery’s Live Patient Full Mouth Rehabilitation Course with Dr. David Hornbrook. For more information on Full Mouth Rehabilitation Case Selection criteria, go to www.clinicalmastery.com or call Elizabeth at 800.513.6131.