1 of 8
This 50 year old patient has a nice smile.
We can see a depression in the gum and cheek on his upper right side.
Where he is missing one tooth. When the tooth root is no longer present, the bone dissolves (resorbs), and the gum shrinks down to the bone level that supports it.
This is a perfect place to use a dental implant for tooth replacement as the adjacent teeth have no fillings or crowns present.
The radiograph reveals a very healthy mouth.
The implant and abutment are in place.
The crown looks very natural.
The view of the biting surface reveals expertly adjusted occlusion, so that the implant crown shares some of the biting forces with the teeth. (The tiny colored marks on the teeth are where they contact each other).