Restoring Function, Stability, and Esthetics Following Loss of Teeth in the Aesthetic Zone: A Case Report

Abstract

Restoring the esthetic zone is high stakes endeavor due to its profound implications for function, speech, esthetics, and professional activity, a career musician relying on upper anterior teeth for clarinet, oboe, or English horn performance. This case is unique in combining occupational stress with advanced periodontal disease. 

This case report describes the successful management of severe periodontal disease and subsequent tooth loss in the upper anterior region of a 60-year-old professional oboe and English horn musician. The patient's occupation placed significant stress on his upper front teeth, contributing to their deterioration despite meticulous oral hygiene. The treatment plan prioritized restoring function, essential for the patient's musical career, followed by stability and then esthetics. The comprehensive approach involved atraumatic extraction of the compromised teeth, guided ridge augmentation, precise implant placement using surgical guides, and final restoration with a splinted porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) bridge. Eighteen months post-treatment, the patient demonstrated excellent functional outcomes, improved speech clarity, and satisfaction with the esthetic result. This case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, meticulous treatment planning, and advanced techniques in complex dental rehabilitation, ultimately enhancing the patient's quality of life and professional capabilities.