By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert
How did this start?
Dean has been a marvelous patient of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert at Eggert Family Dentistry for over 20 years. However, Dean always had a “sour taste” for going to the dentist. Sure, he has always been friendly to Dr. Elizabeth and very polite with his hygienists over the years, but years ago, Dean shared with us that he has always been very fearful of dental work. We suspect this stems from Dean’s severe gag-reflex. Of course, it is difficult for anyone to like being in a situation that doesn’t feel safe.
Dean tried to keep his dental needs to a minimum by coming regularly for his recare visits, but over time, he started noticing that his teeth were becoming increasingly fragile and thin on the edges. He told Dr. Elizabeth Eggert, “I would like to be able to eat without my teeth crumbling and I am worried with how thin they are getting that I won’t be able to stop that.” He also was dissatisfied with the color of his teeth and told Dr. Elizabeth that he had been wondering about what he could do for 10 to 15 years or longer. He put off asking for more information though because of his significant anxiety regarding dental impressions because they make him feel like he will choke.
What was recommended?
Dr. Elizabeth recommended that Dean complete our comprehensive “Records Process” to better understand the underlying causes of his concerns and to help determine the WHY as to what was causing Dean’s teeth to wear, thin, and chip so significantly. With all the information that was gathered, Dr. Elizabeth was able to analyze Dean’s status and develop a tour of his mouth to discuss during the consultation phase.
The Records Process is a comprehensive diagnostic approach that allows Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff to evaluate not only the teeth, but the entire oral system contributing to symptoms. The process includes diagnostic models, clinical photographs, 3D CBCT radiographs, digital X-rays, along with a detailed assessment of the jaw joints, bite, and surrounding muscles.
Because Dean experiences dental anxiety and had concerns about traditional impressions, we were able to utilize our iTero scanner—an advanced intraoral 3D digital imaging system that captures highly accurate digital impressions of the teeth, jaws, and bite to capture his diagnostic models. This technology eliminates the need for the gooey putty of traditional impressions and for Dean created a more comfortable and stress-free experience. At Eggert Family Dentistry we want to be sure we are staying abreast of the latest dental techniques and we have made a commitment to you to include the newest dental technologies in your treatment.
By collecting and analyzing this information, Dr. Elizabeth gained a complete understanding of Dean’s oral health, including the condition of his teeth and gums, as well as the function and balance of his jaw and muscles. This thorough evaluation provided the foundation for a personalized treatment plan designed to create predictable, comfortable, and long-lasting results.
What was involved?
Dr. Elizabeth presented her findings to Dean. She was concerned that Dean’s strong muscles were putting too much stress on his joints and teeth and contributing heavily to why his teeth were wearing. She recommended he start with Splint Therapy using a Tanner Appliance in order to get his function more in harmony.
Following six months of Splint Therapy, Dean experienced significant improvement in his jaw function and was ready to move forward with the next phase of treatment. Through Splint Therapy, Dean and Dr. Elizabeth learned that an important element to getting Dean a more stable bite was to give his teeth more room to function. Therefore, Dean needed to move his teeth and this was possible with Invisalign. Once again, Dean’s scans were done with the iTero intraoral scanner and Dean completed Invisalign in a little over a year.
One of the reasons Dean’s teeth were chipping and wearing thin was because they were too tight together to be able to function in a healthy manner. Invisalign helped get Dean’s teeth in a better position for his bite to function, but because of the narrow shape of his teeth, spaces opened up between the teeth. Dr. Elizabeth had warned Dean this would happen so therefore, they moved into Dean’s restorative phase. To best protect his teeth where he had lost enamel and to fill in his spacing, Dean needed restorations on his upper and lower anterior teeth. Instead of impressioning, Dr. Elizabeth was again able to use an intraoral scanner to capture the tooth preparations so the dental laboratory could fabricate Dean’s new veneers.
What does Dean think?
We asked Dean to share his perspective — what he thought before beginning treatment, how he feels now that it’s complete, and what he would say to others considering a similar procedure. Dean told us, “I wasn’t happy with my teeth cracking. I was cracking teeth in the back of my mouth and my front upper and lower teeth were chipping and eroding. I also wasn’t happy with the color. I was hesitant about doing anything though – I’m still not sure how I was able to say YES!, but I trusted Dr. Elizabeth and it all made sense to me.” As far as the process goes, Dean told us, “It was still freaky and I was very nervous to do it, but really, it wasn’t that bad. I was able to go through months of treatment and I came out on top!”
Dean told us, “I’m very happy with how everything turned out. The teeth look natural, the color is great, and they feel like much more solid teeth. I’m delighted with how they look. I’ve even been getting compliments!” Dean told us that if he had a friend wondering what to do about their crumbling teeth, he would tell them to talk with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert. If it’s needed, she’ll help develop a plan. “If they’re considering it and it’s necessary, they should do it!”
Dean’s concerns, goals, and apprehensions were both valid and are commonly encountered at Eggert Family Dentistry. Many patients share similar worries regarding the appearance, function, and long-term health of their teeth, but are afraid to ask more questions because of an overall anxiety about dental procedures. Luckily, dentistry has evolved significantly, with advancements in techniques, materials, and technology designed to improve patient comfort, while still giving Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert the information they need to provide a fabulous outcome. These innovations help create a more comfortable and predictable experience for patients while ensuring the highest standard of care. You don’t have to be afraid anymore to ask what improvements are available for you!
Dean – thank you for sharing your experiences with us and for trusting us with your smile transformation. Your journey to better health shows how advanced dentistry, personalized care, and a comfortable approach can make a world of difference. Your smile looks excellent, and we are thrilled that you are happy with your results! At Eggert Family Dentistry, our goal is “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” – we look forward to continuing to care for you and your family for many years to come!