Fix worn down teeth
Missing one or more teeth can cause occlusal irregularities that affect the health of the remaining teeth, gums, head and neck, jaw muscles, etc. When you lose a tooth and leave it as is, the remaining teeth will start shifting or moving because there will be less structural physical support. Then, you may begin having an occlusion problem slowly.
Your teeth' chewing surfaces need to come together in harmony, but a missing tooth causes to change in the bite. Biting area change caused by reduction of surface area (missing teeth) causes stress on your remaining teeth surfaces, and some teeth start wearing out unevenly.
Replace old crown and reshape teeth
Mr. D was referred by another patient who had cosmetic dental treatment at Dr. Shimizu's. He knew he needed to do something for his smile. He had old crowns whose shape and colors did not match, and almost all the teeth had worn down. He also had a couple of missing teeth that needed implant surgery.
Dr. Shimizu used his unique technique to find occlusal interferences, remove them to create new open bite positions, and started with a complete mouth mock-up. Doing so helps patients become accustomed to the new and improved occlusal posture and confirm that they like improved aesthetic results.
After getting used to a new bite, Dr. Shimizu carefully transformed from temporaries to veneers, all-porcelain crowns, and implant-supported crowns while keeping the same occlusion.
It is crucial to start with temporary teeth with the same shape as the final veneers and crowns in a case like this. Then, the treatment goes backward. It is still reversible if the patient cannot tolerate the new bite or does not like the cosmetic result.
Dr. Shimizu dramatically improved the patient's functional bite and aesthetic outcomes, and he knew it before starting the treatment, thanks to the 3D smile simulation and mock-up.
