CASE 7 - Posterior bridge

Mr W from Normanby born 1926

Mr W was referred to CDIC as he had no back teeth on his lower left hand side and he found that when he was eating this made his full upper denture very unstable. It was decide to place two dental implants in this region and to restore these with a three unit bridge. Before surgery was undertaken Mr W was referred for special radiographs to determine the exact position of a large nerve that runs under this area. The “tomograms” that were produced showed the exact position of the nerve and allowed the safe placement of implants ensuring no damage to the underlying nerve.

Single stage surgery was carried out which allowed healing abutments to be placed immediately	A side view, using a mirror, of Mr W’s new teeth.

A mirror view of the biting surfaces of Mr W’s new teeth.

Shortly after completing this treatment one of the teeth supporting Mr W’s bridge on his right hand side failed and this tooth had to be extracted and most of the bridge lost. Mr W opted to have two implants placed and a three unit bridge constructed to restore this side of his mouth.

Mr W wrote to CDIC telling how half way through his second implant operation he was so comfortable he kicked off his shoes, this he says sums up how easy it all is. Mr W also commented on how he considers it to be a very worthwhile treatment even at his age.

The cost of Mr W’s treatment if it had been carried out today would be £4,400 for each side of his mouth.