Fig.3 When the bridge is partially removed, the tooth #6 is confirmed to be broken down by cavity to its root.  The gums around the root is reddish and infected.  This tooth has to be taken out.  Since infection is not so severe, an implant is placed immediately after tooth removal.  

Fig. 5 Surprisingly, Mr. Smith (at the age of 73) is doing great after surgery.  Sutures are in place, but there is no sign of infection around the implant at the site of #6 one week after surgery, as compared to the same area (#6) in Fig.3.  In another 3-4 months the patient is going to have a new stable tooth over his fifth implant.  Return to main article

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 12/20/2011, last revision 09/28/2012