Seoul National University Entrance Station Dentist: If Vertical Dimension Collapse and Deep Bite Caused by Molar Loss Can Be Improved with Root Canal Treatment, Crowns, and Implants

Seoul National University Entrance Station Dentist

I’m Director Park Jeong-gi of Remember.

Our teeth

are not only used for eating.

In particular, molars play a key role in maintaining the height of the entire dentition,

and when molars are lost or damaged by cavities,

the vertical dimension of the upper and lower jaws collapses.

The reason lies in their structural characteristics.

The posterior teeth have a wide chewing surface, so they receive the greatest force when eating.

They are also a major factor in determining the vertical distance between the upper and lower jawbones,

that is, the occlusal vertical dimension.

When molars are gone,

the remaining front teeth are subjected to excessive pressure,

and over time the front teeth gradually

shift forward or move up and down.

From the perspective of a dentist near Seoul National University Entrance Station,

the more serious issue is the change in the temporomandibular joint.

When the occlusal vertical dimension decreases,

the temporomandibular joint becomes positioned abnormally,

which can cause many symptoms such as TMJ disorders, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain.

The lower third of the face also becomes shorter,

which can lead to changes in facial appearance.

Let’s look at a related case.

2025.01.07

Looking at the intraoral photos shown by the dentist near Seoul National University Entrance Station,

the posterior teeth were missing or the dentition was misaligned,

2025.01.07

and some teeth were broken

or had severe cavities.

2025.01.07

The most noticeable feature from the front

was the severe deep bite,

2025.01.07

with the upper teeth covering most of the lower teeth,

leaving the lower teeth barely visible.

This is a condition that can be said to differ greatly from normal occlusion.

What problems occur with a deep bite?

To explain a few, from the perspective of a dentist near Seoul National University Entrance Station,

first, it can make eating properly uncomfortable,

and speech may become unclear.

The lower front teeth may also continuously hit the inner gum of the upper front teeth,

causing gum damage and inflammation,

and excessive pressure is placed on the upper front teeth,

increasing the risk of loosening or damage.

There are also aesthetic concerns.

When smiling, the lower teeth are barely visible,

which can look unnatural,

and changes in jaw position can disrupt the balance of the entire face,

making a person look older than their actual age.

tx plan

In such cases, a comprehensive plan must be established

and approached step by step.

Because the collapsed posterior teeth need to be rebuilt,

we had enough discussion with the patient

and proceeded gradually and sequentially with mutual understanding.

First, for teeth that could be preserved, we decided to perform root canal treatment and then restore them with crowns.

2025.05.20

2025.05.20

Specifically, root canal treatment followed by crowns was performed on the maxillary right premolar and molar areas:

teeth 14, 15, 16, and 17,

the maxillary left premolar and molar teeth 24, 25, and 27,

the mandibular right premolar and molar teeth 34, 35, and 36,

and the mandibular left premolar and molar teeth 44, 45, and 46.

For the areas that were already missing

or where the jawbone had severely resorbed,

implants were planned.

Implants were placed in the maxillary left molar tooth 26,

the mandibular right molar tooth 37,

and the mandibular left molar tooth 47

to replace the missing areas.

2025.05.20

At the dentist near Seoul National University Entrance Station,

I believe the key point of today’s case

was restoring the correct vertical dimension.

A temporary prosthesis was made

to find a height the patient could adapt to

through an adjustment process.

Only then can we create a final prosthesis that can satisfy both

joint stability and muscle comfort at the same time.

After placing implants and waiting for them to integrate with the bone,

the final prosthesis must be fabricated while considering how it will fit within the same arch or against the opposing teeth,

so it may take a little longer than expected.

However, during this process, it is important to continuously check speech, jaw comfort,

and aesthetic satisfaction.

That is what allows long-term, satisfying use.

The case shown today by the dentist near Seoul National University Entrance Station

also restored the collapsed posterior teeth,

which resolved the deep bite

and ultimately brought back a satisfying smile.

2025.05.20

Even when the posterior teeth are unstable,

properly combining root canal treatment, crowns, and implants

can restore the lost occlusal vertical dimension

and recover both function and aesthetics.

However, at this stage, above all,

it is necessary to thoroughly diagnose the individual oral condition

and have extensive discussion with the patient about how and over what period of time recovery will be carried out.

I believe that the patient and the clinician

working together to establish a customized treatment plan

is the first step toward a successful outcome.

Thank you for reading.

This was Director Park Jeong-gi

of Seoul National University Entrance Station Seoul Remember.

Treatment period: 2025.01.07 ~ 2025.05.20