Gabrielle Oâ??Donoghue and Martina Hayes
University College Cork, Ireland
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Oral Health Dent Manag
Partially edentulous patients presenting with active oral disease and severely compromised teeth present a challenge to the clinician. Such terminal dentitions accompanied by patientsâ?? unrealistic treatment expectations further complicate restorative options. While restoring health and functionality to the patientâ??s dentition is paramount, managing the patientâ??s wishes is critical to success. Difficulties can arise with respect to treatment time, tolerance, and cosmetic result, especially with the first time, younger prosthodontic patient. In this instance, considerable efforts should be made to form a smooth transition to edentulousness in a functionally and aesthetically acceptable way. Treatment options range from traditional complete dentures to implant-retained fixed/removable prostheses. This case report describes a treatment plan utilizing a staged approach to restorative work and a staggered extraction pattern. Prosthetic management involved fabrication of cosmetic partial transitional dentures to assess patient tolerance and acceptability of new prostheses. An integral component of treatment included extensive management of the patientâ??s expectations, who expressed a strong desire for full clearance and immediate complete dentures. The report details clinical work and communication undertaken to manage the patientâ??s expectations with respect to the transition to edentulousness. Addressing the anticipated difficulties in the patientâ??s tolerance to new prostheses was fundamental to treatment planning. Clinical photographs highlight the excellent aesthetic result achieved following completion. Treatment delivered in this case achieved a healthy, functional dentition with a cosmetic result that is satisfactory to the patient within an acceptable time frame. Those who encounter similar clinical situations may consider the report valuable.
Gabrielle O’Donoghue, BSc BDS (Hons), completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from University College Cork, Ireland, with first class honors in June 2016.