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Dr. Dwork's Cover Story Featured in Top National Dental Magazine

Full-Mouth Reconstruction
Restoring Vertical Dimension, Speech, and Self-Confidence
By Thomas J. Dwork, DMD
July 2003

Conclusion In this case, the occlusion was established using provisional restorations over several months, and the provisionals served as a template for the final restorations. The shallow anterior guidance resulting from opening the vertical dimension helped protect the patient's dentition against his parafunction, and the centric relation position stabilized his TM joints, which made his muscles comfortable. The anterior teeth were hollow ground to give him room for his parafunction as part of the final adjustments, for a long centric. Ultimately, a nightguard will protect him against his nocturnal parafunction.

The overall transformation for the patient was astounding. His mouth was rejuvenated with modern metal-free restoration that "seemingly grow from the gums" (his words). After 6 months, he said he smiles more and shows his teeth to everyone. He has become a passionate emissary for modern dental technology (Figures 19 and 20).

Acknowledgment: The author would like to thank daVinci Studios for its exceptional work.

Figure 1. Preoperative smile, full face.	Figure 2. Preoperative smile.
Figure 3. Occlusal view. Note severe breakdown w/ pink pulp visible.	Figure 4. Retracted view of centric occlusion. Note bite collapse.
Figure 5. Preoperative maxillary occlusal view with severe dentin exposure.	Figure 6. Preoperative mandibular occlusal view with severe dentin exposure.
Figure 7. Occlusal view of preparations. Contacts are broken.	Figure 8. Cast of maxilary preparations.
Figure 9. Cast of mandibular preparations.	Figure 10. Posterior onlay preparations.
Figure 11. Approval of provisionals; smile aesthetics verified.	Figure 12. Retracted view of provisionals; vertical, bite, and aesthetics verified.
Figure 13. Posterior Empress onlays (daVinci Studios).	Figure 14. Post operative occlusal view of maxilary arch.
Figure 15. Postoperative occlusal view of mandibular arch.	Figure 16. Retracted side view. Note vertical change.
Figure 17. Postoperative retracted view.	Figure 18. Postoperative mandibular veneers.
Figure 19. Postoperative smile.	Figure 20. Postoperative full face ... delighted!