This case illustrates the second choice that is available to us when restoring jaws with-out any teeth. This is the implant supported bridge. However, from these pictures we can see that the patient does have teeth of his own. The challenge with this case was how to take the patient from his current situation of failing teeth to a situation where he has an implant supported restoration, without the use (9. Temporary Lower Denture) conventional of an upper denture.

We achieved this by first making the patient a bridge supported off his five remaining natural teeth (4. Temporary Bridge). The bridge was cemented with a temporary cement so it could be removed when required. Six implants were placed in the upper jaw strategically between the patients natural teeth. Once these were healed, impressions were taken for the provisional implant retained denture. At the time of placement, the patients remaining teeth had to be extracted first. Whilst this treatment was being carried out, implants were also being placed in the lower jaw, with a denture being used in the interim.

Once all the tissues had healed, work was commenced to construct the final upper full-arch implant retained bridge and lower implant/tooth retained bridgework.