What clinical components actually make up a truly complex dental case?
A combination of modalities applied together that puts the case well beyond routine general practice work. The typical complex case involves missing teeth, often one or two entire arches gone. Dental implants are usually needed, sometimes with hard or soft tissue grafting first. Some cases pull in every tool in the arsenal: orthodontic alignment of the arches, oral surgery, periodontal stabilization of remaining structures, multi-unit fixed prosthodontics cemented or bonded to natural teeth where they remain, DNA testing for periodontal susceptibility, fixed or removable implant restorations, and the derivation of a bio-esthetic vertical and anterior-posterior occlusal dimension. Conscious sedation is typically required to make the long appointments tolerable and to address legitimate dental anxiety. None of these elements alone defines complexity. The combination does. A case requiring three or more of these modalities, executed in proper sequence, with proper diagnostic foundation, is what the field means by truly complex. The clinical work itself is the easier part. Getting the patient through diagnosis, decision, financing, and the multi-visit treatment phase is the harder part.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.