Before
The missing front tooth was difficult for the patient to ignore because it showed whenever she smiled, spoke or laughed. As a woman in her late 30s, she felt more conscious of the gap during daily conversations, work interactions and photos.
What mattered most was making the replacement look close to her natural teeth. She did not want the new tooth to appear too bulky, too long or different from the neighbouring teeth.
Because the gap was in the front smile area, the gum shape, tooth length and crown position had to be planned together. Even a small difference in this area can affect how natural the final smile looks.
After
To keep the smile looking presentable during the process, Dr Elaine Lim used a temporary crown while the implant case was being completed. The missing front tooth was restored with an Osstem implant, and the temporary crown helped reduce the obvious gap before the final crown was ready.
An open-tray impression was then taken to capture the implant position more accurately. Once the final crown was fitted, the front tooth area looked more balanced, and the new tooth blended better with the neighbouring teeth when the patient smiled.
What’s the Secret?
Front tooth implants can replace a visible gap while helping the new tooth blend with the surrounding smile. In this case, the temporary crown helped maintain the smile appearance while the final crown was being prepared.
Dr Elaine Lim, a dental implant dentist, planned the implant position, gum contour and crown shape with both function and appearance in mind. Patients can learn more about her dental implant service or contact Dr Elaine Lim for a consultation.
