My UK "All on Four" project
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I don't have a recent photo of myself before the procedure, I avoided photographers, but here's one taken by Ed Gazdov at the try-in of the porcelain arch. A slightly exaggerated grin......it's very difficult to smile naturally to order!
My jaw and mouth appear slightly lopsided as I had been chewing on one side only for about 10 years. This is now rapidly correcting itself.
My UK "All on Four" Project
I had been told some years previously that my periodontal disease was probably inherited, and that I had insufficient bone for implants. Having just six very loose front teeth remaining in my upper jaw, it was apparent that I urgently needed to take action.
I came across Solutions Dental Clinic while researching "Same day Teeth", and in December 2017 made an appointment to see what they could do for me.
Compared to my previous experiences with some high-end London dentists, that first meeting with Lee Butler was very positive, (and eventually, life changing!). I was impressed with the surgery, the state of the art equipment, and especially, Lee's on-site laboratory where he fabricates the prosthetic teeth.
Once the cat scan and x-ray showed that an all-on-four upper arch was viable, an appointment was made in early February this year.
Work commenced at 08.30am.............................I was a bit apprehensive, but the whole procedure was practically pain free, to my surprise (and delight!).
By 11.45am, my six upper teeth were extracted, the 4 implants installed, and the soft tissue stitched back into place. An impression was taken, and I then relaxed in the waiting area for a couple of hours while Lee fabricated the temporary resin/titanium arch.
This was adjusted and fitted, and with some trepidation, I looked in the mirror............................and for the first time in 12 years, there was this guy grinning back at me with a neat set of natural looking teeth.
There was a further discussion about eating habits, (whatever you do, DON'T chomp.....eat slowly only soft food, fish, pasta etc.), and cleaning the implants for the next few weeks, and by 15.00, I was driving home with my "Same day Teeth".
I ate a meal of soup and crustless bread that evening, and that was pretty much the pattern for the next few days. After the local wore off, there was a slight ache for a few hours which was sorted with Ibuprofen
There was also some swelling for the following day or so, but this soon subsided, and at the follow up appointment a week later, Lee was happy with the healing, and I was very happy with the smile!
I had also decided to have my remaining lower teeth restored. Although badly worn, they were not loose or infected, and this work was carried out by resident dental surgeon Ed Gazdov.
Ed specialises in restorative dentistry, cosmetic, and repair following trauma. After some discussion about composite versus porcelain veneers, I opted for porcelain veneers and crowns, as porcelain is longer lasting and easier to clean than resin composite.
The preparation work took a considerable time and involved some slight discomfort, but the result is amazing, the lower teeth were rebuilt back to their original height and shape and look the same as they did 30-40 years ago.
Following a trial fit while still at the fabrication stage, the permanent porcelain upper arch was fitted 6 weeks ago (August), and matches the lower teeth perfectly.
At the start of the treatment, I had given Lee a "grin photo" to work from, taken many years ago, and he has captured it beautifully.
The final step was a chrome cobalt lower denture to add a molar either side of my natural teeth to improve the bite.
And the result? My teeth now resemble a well looked after set of natural teeth, and most importantly for me, I can eat properly, smile confidently, and the shape of my face has been restored.
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