When Clarence first walked through our doors at iHeart Dental, he wasn’t looking for anything fancy—he just wanted a smile he could feel good about. At 36, he had lost all of his upper teeth and most of his lower back ones. He works with his dad in a tree service business, so he needed something tough, something that could keep up with his lifestyle.
But his case wasn’t straightforward. Clarence had some serious bone loss in his upper jaw, an underbite that complicated things even more, and a history of gum disease that dated back to high school. Add in some early challenges with his temporary dentures, and we knew we were going to have to get creative.
At iHeart Dental in Rincon, GA, we believe every smile has a story—and Clarence’s is one we’re proud to be part of.
Before All-on-X
What Made Clarence’s Case So Complex?
Clarence’s smile journey came with quite a few roadblocks:
- Years of gum disease and past smoking meant his upper jaw didn’t have much bone left
- His underbite made it tough to line everything up correctly
- He didn’t always wear his lower partial denture like we asked, which caused a few hiccups
- He broke multiple temporary prosthetics along the way
- His bite was strong, and it was putting pressure in the wrong places
None of this made him a bad candidate—it just meant we had to plan a little smarter.
What Are Your Options If You Have Severe Bone Loss?
Dentures vs Implant-Supported Dentures
When Clarence first came in, we talked about his options. We started with a full denture on top and a partial on the bottom. It gave him a smile again, but he came back not long after saying he wanted something that didn’t move.
Zygomatic Implants vs All-on-X
We considered zygomatic implants, which anchor into the cheekbones and are often used when there isn’t much upper jawbone. But with Clarence’s bite, those could’ve flexed too much and caused long-term issues.
Instead, we chose the All-on-X route using Megagen implants. These implants are wider and grip better, which gave us the security we needed in areas with limited bone.
What Is the All-on-X Procedure and Why Was It Right for Clarence?
The All-on-X procedure uses just a few implants to support a full set of teeth. It’s a game-changer for people who want something permanent but don’t have the bone for traditional implants.
In Clarence’s case, Megagen implants gave us the best shot at success. Because of his underbite, we had to angle his upper prosthetic forward to meet his bottom teeth properly. He followed his healing instructions closely at first—no chewing, smoking, or drinking for three months.
But as we moved forward, new challenges came up.
Why Temporary Prostheses May Fail in Complex Cases
Clarence was fitted with a screw retained temporary upper bridge while his implants healed. It wasn’t meant to last forever, but it was important. We asked him to keep wearing his lower partial denture to help support his bite and protect the upper arch.
Unfortunately, that didn’t always happen.
- He broke three of his temporary PMMA bridges
- One implant (tooth #10) failed from too much pressure
- And we had to pause and rethink the next steps
We needed to address the lower arch and correct his bite with a better solution. We planned treatment implants and bridges for the lower arch. We also provided TMJ therapy using Botox, and we replaced the #10 implant at the same time. After he finished healing from the new lower implants and upper #10 implant, we finalized his upper and lower arches with beautiful implant-supported zirconium bridges.
It was important to keep things in a temporary solution until after all the implants are fully osseointegrated because it’s better for a temporary prosthetic to break than the implant itself. That’s part of why we use temporary materials in the beginning—they help us achieve results and correct unknown issues during the healing process. We can also physically “try-in” new smiles before we finalize into something permanent and expensive.
How Do Lower Implants Improve Upper Implant Longevity?
Function and Force Balance
Eventually, we added implants to Clarence’s lower right and left sides, which completely changed the way his bite worked.
With lower back teeth support, the upper arch was no longer carrying the full load in the front. Bite pressure became more balanced and vertical, much easier on the implants. Once everything was healed, we replaced his temporary upper prosthetic with a solid zirconia bridge.
That’s when everything really came together.
How Did iHeart Dental Customize the Final Prosthesis?
We made several key adjustments just for Clarence:
- Shifted the upper teeth forward to work with his underbite
- Switched from a lower partial denture to lower implant-supported bridges for durability and natural appearance
- Added Botox therapy to reduce jaw tension and help control bite force
The final result was strong, comfortable, and looked great. More importantly, it gave Clarence the function he needed to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
What Can Patients Learn From Clarence’s Case?
Clarence’s story is a great example of how full mouth restoration is a process. It takes patience, trust, and a team that’s willing to adapt.
Here’s what others can take away from his journey:
- Following instructions matters, even if it feels like a hassle
- Temporary teeth are part of the process, not the end
- Planning ahead saves time and trouble later on
- Working with a practice that listens and adjusts makes all the difference
We’re proud of how far Clarence has come and grateful he trusted us to guide him through it.
After All-on-X
Start Your Story with iHeart Dental in Rincon, GA!
Every patient is different, and no two smiles are alike. Clarence’s case came with its own set of challenges, but the outcome speaks for itself. He got the function and confidence he was looking for—and we got to help him get there.
If you’re dealing with missing teeth or thinking about dental implants, know this: we’re here to walk through it with you, just like we did for Clarence.
Let’s talk about your smile. Call iHeart Dental in Rincon, GA, or book a visit online to get started.
Misty M. Seale, DMD
Dr. Misty M. Seale, DMD, a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, specializes in general, preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and is the proud owner of iHeart Dental. Her practice emphasizes comfort, convenience, and personalized patient care, providing a cozy environment that feels like a home away from home. Outside of her passion for dentistry, Dr. Seale enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and Jeeping.
A Smile is the Key to Everybody’s Heart
We are dedicated to providing the highest-level dental care in a comfortable and relaxed setting while giving love, compassion, and respect for our patients and their dental needs leading to a healthier smile.