Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic’s Journey to Regain a Bright Smile: From the Loss of a Front Bridge to a New Smile Through Implants

Treatment period: 2024.09.06 ~ 2024.12.28

Hello,

I’m Director Park Jeong-gi of Remember Dental Clinic at Seoul National University Entrance.

A smile has become one of the important elements that determine our first impression.

But what if a problem suddenly arises with these front teeth? Your confidence can collapse, and situations that shrink your social activity may follow.

1. Loss of the front bridge prosthesis

2024.09.06

In this case, a bridge prosthesis connecting three teeth in the maxillary anterior region (upper front teeth)

had suddenly come off.

This bridge was supported by tooth 21 (upper left central incisor) and

12 (upper right lateral incisor),

replacing 11 (upper right central incisor, an already missing area).

However, what Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic saw as a more serious problem was not only that the bridge had come off,

but also that the crown of 12 had fractured and there was inflammation at the root tip (apex).

This meant that a complex problem had arisen that could not be solved by simple reattachment.

2. The need for urgent esthetic-functional treatment

2024.09.06

As can be seen from the intraoral photo, a blank space in the maxillary anterior region (upper front teeth)

significantly reduces esthetics.

In particular, front teeth are located in the center of the face and are immediately visible when speaking or smiling,

which can lead to psychological withdrawal

and lowered self-esteem.

They also play an important role in cutting food and in pronunciation (especially consonants such as 's', 'j', and 'ch'),

so quick restoration is needed from a functional standpoint as well. In addition, if an anterior missing area is left untreated for a long time,

adjacent teeth may tilt or move into the empty space,

and the alveolar bone (the bone supporting the teeth) may be rapidly resorbed, which can make future implant procedures more difficult. This is one of the reasons why prompt treatment is necessary.

3. Personalized planning and treatment

At Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic,

we believe that personalized planning is necessary after a thorough evaluation based on each person’s oral condition.

Because if a tooth can be saved, it should be saved so that one’s own teeth can be used for as long as possible.

Since 12 had a fractured crown and apical inflammation and was judged to have a poor long-term prognosis, and

11, which had originally been missing, was planned to have its function restored through an implant.

21 had been serving as an abutment tooth for the existing bridge, but fortunately it was structurally sound, so it could be used longer by extending its life through root canal treatment and then placing a prosthesis.

2024.12.28

After all treatment was completed, let’s look at how the function and esthetics of the previously empty anterior area were restored.

At Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic,

implant and crown treatment reproduced a natural shape and color,

and the overall dentition seems to have been aligned while considering balance and harmony with the surrounding teeth.

2024.09.06 ~ 2024.12.28

Because the empty space has been properly closed again, cutting function and pronunciation should now be smooth,

and prostheses with shades and translucency that are especially difficult to distinguish from natural teeth are thought to help the patient regain confidence.

4. The importance of dental health and prevention

Today, at Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic, we did not simply resolve a prosthesis fracture and detachment, but also,

2024.12.28

we wanted to show that treatment was carried out in a customized way according to each situation: the missing area, the fractured tooth, and the abutment tooth that could be saved.

It is not enough to simply restore a beautiful smile; for long-term use, treatment should be carried out with a specific plan so that good long-term outcomes can be expected.

Also, I believe the most important thing is preserving natural teeth through regular checkups and prevention. No matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot fully replace the value of natural teeth,

so why not start active care from today?

Thank you for reading. This has been Director Park Jeong-gi of Seoul National University Entrance Dental Clinic, Seoul Remember.