Kumho Station Dental Clinic: Re-prosthetic Treatment for Disproportionate Front Teeth

Hello,

I am Dr. Kim Tae-young, the head director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic, where the head director directly explains treated cases.

While organizing case studies for recent blog posts, I noticed an increasing proportion of re-prosthetic treatments for front teeth among the latest data.

In particular, there is a growing interest in aesthetic prosthetics among middle-aged and older adults.

In the past, beautiful treatments were primarily sought by those in their 20s and 30s,

but the current trend suggests that aesthetic factors are considered quite important even by those over 50.

Recently, I also introduced a case study on re-prosthetic treatment for front teeth.

Today's case study also involves re-prosthetic treatment for front teeth, but it differs from the case I explained previously. Therefore, I will continue to explain re-prosthetic treatment for front teeth as a follow-up.

I had my front teeth crowned a long time ago, but the proportion isn't pretty, and my gums show. Do I need to redo it?

The patient mentioned that they had four front teeth root-canaled and crowned as a single unit in the past.

Looking at the intraoral photos,

the tooth length was too short, making it aesthetically disproportionate,

and over time, due to gum recession,

the boundary between the teeth and the prosthesis appeared dark.

In such cases, the existing prosthesis is removed, a secondary caries evaluation is performed,

and necessary treatments are carried out. Temporary crowns are used to gather information about a suitable tooth shape.

After removal and an X-ray, we found inflammation at the root tip of one of the four teeth.

Re-root Canal Treatment for Previously Treated Teeth

The dark area at the root tip due to inflammation indicates that the surrounding bone has dissolved.

After thoroughly removing the existing material and performing several treatments,

the photo on the right shows that the inflammation has subsided, and the medication is enveloping the root area.

Although the condition of the tooth root was not perfectly healthy, given this treatment outcome,

we decided that the natural tooth could be preserved for a longer period and proceeded with prosthetic treatment.

Since re-root canal treatment required several weeks, the patient wore temporary crowns during this period,

allowing us to evaluate the desired tooth shape and proportion.

Evaluation of Proportion and Shape with Temporary Crowns

Since the original tooth shape was too short and disproportionate,

we extended the tooth length slightly with temporary crowns to establish the shape.

While still in the temporary crown stage, after several adjustments, the patient

was most satisfied with the current tooth shape, so we decided to fabricate the final prosthesis based on the temporary crown's form.

This is the shape of the final prosthesis.

Since four symmetrical front teeth were treated with prosthetics, it was easy to create a symmetrical color and shape.

Previously, the four teeth were connected as one unit, but in this treatment, they were connected in pairs.

While it is best to crown each tooth individually,

some teeth were weak for individual treatment, and if teeth that had been connected for a long time were crowned individually,

tooth movement could occur. Considering various factors,

we determined that connecting them in pairs would be better for future management and maintenance.

Proportionally, the tooth length is good,

but there were areas where occlusion with the lower teeth interfered, so we made sufficient adjustments before final bonding.

It can be speculated that the teeth were made shorter in the past due to the difficulty of occlusal adjustment.

As a result, the patient was satisfied with the proportion, color, and shape of the teeth, which was very rewarding.^^

Simply changing the proportion of the teeth made them look much more natural.

Even if a prosthesis does not break or fracture over time,

re-treatment may be necessary due to other factors.

We advised the patient to undergo regular occlusal checks and gum treatments to ensure long-term use.

Today, at #KumhoStationDentalClinic, when replacing old front tooth prostheses,

I explained the treatment process and considerations.

I hope this information was helpful for any questions you may have,

and we would be happy to provide a more detailed consultation if you visit our clinic.

Thank you.^^

▼Related Case Studies

We believe that proper treatment leads to proper results.My desired dental clinic is one where everyone who visits with worries can leave feeling reassured and confident. – Bareunyoung Dental Clinic –

Directions:2nd Floor, JYJ Building, 179 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulDirectly in front of Exit 6 of Yaksu Station, towards Yaksu Market.Village Bus No. 5 (Yaksu Station)Village Bus No. 12 (Namsan Town, Yaksu Police Station)Bus Stops (Yaksu Heights, Sindang Social Welfare Center, Gaondo-gwan, Kumho Tunnel Entrance)From YuYu Pharmaceutical towards Kumho Station.

This post was directly written by Bareunyoung Dental Clinic in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Act, for the purpose of providing medical information and hospital advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do old front tooth prostheses need re-treatment?

Yes, old front tooth prostheses may require re-treatment. Over time, gum recession can cause the prosthesis boundary to appear dark, or the tooth length may become aesthetically disproportionate. Problems such as inflammation at the root tip can also necessitate re-treatment.

How is the re-prosthetic treatment process for front teeth carried out?

Typically, the existing prosthesis is removed, followed by a secondary caries evaluation and necessary treatments. Then, temporary crowns are used to assess the tooth shape and proportion suitable for the patient. If root inflammation is present, re-root canal treatment is performed concurrently before fabricating and bonding the final prosthesis.

Can re-root canal treatment be included in the front tooth re-prosthetic process?

Yes, it can be included. If inflammation is found at the root tip during an X-ray after removing the existing prosthesis, the old material is removed, and several re-root canal treatments are performed to reduce the inflammation before proceeding with prosthetic treatment.

What role do temporary crowns play in front tooth re-prosthetic treatment?

Temporary crowns play a crucial role in evaluating the patient's desired tooth shape and proportion. If the original tooth shape is short and disproportionate, temporary crowns are used to extend the length and establish the form. The optimal shape that satisfies the patient is then used as a reference for fabricating the final prosthesis.

Is it better to connect front tooth prostheses or to do them individually?

The best approach is to crown each tooth individually. However, considering various factors such as weak teeth or the possibility of tooth movement for teeth that have been connected for a long time, connecting them in pairs may be better for future management and maintenance.