A patient approached me with a request for implants for his missing back teeth, as he was experiencing contact only on the last teeth on either side, resulting in other teeth not meeting properly. This issue affected his chewing ability and overall dental function.
Treatment:
After evaluating the patient's situation, I recommended occlusal rehabilitation rather than just replacing the missing teeth. This complex procedure involved adjusting the occlusion to correct the bite issues. We first modeled the adjustments on articulated casts using a semi-adjustable articulator to determine the extent of tooth structure removal needed from each tooth. In this case, it was nearly 1mm from some teeth to achieve a 2mm closure. After confirming that the adjustments were feasible and acceptable, we proceeded to transfer these changes to the patient's mouth.
Outcome:
The occlusal rehabilitation was successful, resulting in an even and balanced bite. We managed to add 4 contact points per side of the mouth, significantly improving the patient's masticatory efficiency. The patient was thrilled with the outcome; for the first time in many years, he could bite into a piece of bread effortlessly. This procedure not only enhanced his dental function but also greatly improved his quality of life.