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- A very anxious patient had lived with an infected front tooth for years, and only came in when it started to hurt.<\/li>\n
- The tooth could not be saved. Because of how his teeth were positioned, every option was a compromise.<\/li>\n
- Our advice was braces first, then an implant. The patient deliberately chose a quicker, fixed solution without braces.<\/li>\n
- After a CBCT scan, extraction and bone grafting, he received an implant with a crown that matches his own teeth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The situation: an infected front tooth, put off for years<\/h2>\n
In this case we were treating a very anxious patient. He started having pain in his front tooth and got in touch with us. He knew there was an infection in the tooth, but for years he hadn’t dared to do anything about it.<\/p>\n
Now that it was really bothering him, he wanted a suitable, lasting solution.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.vlijttandartsen.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casus-implantaat-1-voor.jpg\")
The front tooth at the first visit. The discolouration fits a long-standing infection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Why every option was a compromise<\/h2>\n
The tooth was lost. That was the easy part of the conversation. The harder part was the position of his teeth, which puts an unfavourable load on the front teeth. Whatever we placed there would have to handle more force than you would like.<\/p>\n
So we first sat down with him to go through all treatment options, with the pros and cons of each.<\/p>\n
Our advice: fix the bite first, then the front tooth<\/h2>\n
We proposed starting with braces to improve the position of his teeth. After that we wanted to place a fixed solution in the front, ideally an implant, so none of the other teeth would need treatment.<\/p>\n
We also discussed the appearance of the rest of his teeth, and asked whether he wanted to do anything about that.<\/p>\n
What the patient wanted<\/h2>\n
With all the information on the table, he chose a quick but effective and lasting solution, without braces. Braces were not for him. He also didn’t want anything removable.<\/p>\n
He told us the position of his teeth and the difference in colour are simply part of who he is. He didn’t really want a “perfect tooth” back.<\/p>\n
Why we chose an implant, and not a bridge<\/h2>\n
In this position, an implant is not the most obvious choice. Still, after weighing everything up, we decided on implant treatment:<\/p>\n
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- The bite<\/strong> limited the options, and he didn’t want to change it.<\/li>\n
- A removable solution<\/strong> was ruled out, because he didn’t want one.<\/li>\n
- A bridge<\/strong> could carry an even higher risk of breakdown in this spot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When placing the implant and designing the crown, we made sure it takes as little load as possible when he chews.<\/p>\n
The treatment, step by step<\/h2>\n
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- 3D X-ray (CBCT).<\/strong> We had already seen a swelling in the gum, so we expected a large infection. To be well prepared, we first made a CBCT scan: a 3D X-ray of the whole area.<\/li>\n
- Extraction.<\/strong> The infected front tooth was removed and the area was left to heal.<\/li>\n
- Bone grafting.<\/strong> The infection had caused bone loss in the jaw. We rebuilt it, because an implant needs solid bone to be stable.<\/li>\n
- The implant.<\/strong> The implant was then placed and allowed to integrate with the bone.<\/li>\n
- The crown.<\/strong> Finally, we made a crown that fits in with the rest of his teeth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.vlijttandartsen.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casus-implantaat-2-cbct.jpg\")
The CBCT scan in several cross-sections. The circled dark area is the infection in the jawbone above the front tooth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.vlijttandartsen.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casus-implantaat-3-ingegroeid.jpg\")
The implant has been placed and has integrated. The gum is already shaped for the crown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.vlijttandartsen.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/casus-implantaat-4-tandvlees.jpg\")
The gum around the implant, ready for the crown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The result<\/h2>\n
The crown on the implant matches the colour and shape of his own teeth. Exactly what he wanted: not a perfect tooth, but one that belongs to him. You can see the result at the top of this page.<\/p>\n
What this case shows<\/h2>\n
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- Anxiety doesn’t have to be the end of the story.<\/strong> This patient had put things off for years. When he came in, we explained everything first, and only then started treatment.<\/li>\n
- Our advice isn’t always your choice.<\/strong> We tell you honestly what we think is best. If you deliberately choose something else, we find the safest solution within that choice.<\/li>\n
- Good preparation prevents surprises.<\/strong> Thanks to the CBCT scan, we knew in advance how large the infection was and that bone grafting would be needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Can you get an implant for a front tooth?<\/strong> Yes. There needs to be enough jawbone, and your bite plays a role. If the load on the front teeth is unfavourable, we take that into account in where we place the implant and how we shape the crown.<\/p>\n
Why braces before an implant?<\/strong> If the position of your teeth puts a lot of force on the front teeth, an implant there takes that force too. Improving the position first means less load on the implant.<\/p>\n
Implant or bridge for a front tooth: which is better?<\/strong> It depends on your situation. A bridge means working on the neighbouring teeth; an implant leaves them alone. In this case a bridge could have carried a higher risk of breakdown, so we chose an implant.<\/p>\n
What is a CBCT scan?<\/strong> A 3D X-ray of your jaw. It shows how large an infection is and how much bone there is, so we can plan an implant properly in advance.<\/p>\n
What is bone grafting and when is it needed?<\/strong> If bone has been lost through infection or after an extraction, we rebuild it. An implant needs solid bone to be stable.<\/p>\n
I’m anxious about the dentist. Can I still come?<\/strong> Yes. The patient in this case was very anxious too and had put things off for years. We take our time, explain everything first, and you decide what happens.<\/p>\n
Do you speak English at the practice?<\/strong> Yes. You can have the whole conversation, from intake to treatment plan, in English.<\/p>\n
Finally<\/h2>\n
An implant is sometimes the best choice, and sometimes a trade-off. In this case it was both. What made the difference was an honest conversation about what was possible, what was sensible and what he wanted himself.<\/p>\n
Want to know more?<\/strong> Read our blog on when an implant is the right choice<\/a>, see implants at VLIJT<\/a> or the alternative of crowns and bridges<\/a>, or sign up<\/a> for an appointment.<\/p>\n
\n - Our advice isn’t always your choice.<\/strong> We tell you honestly what we think is best. If you deliberately choose something else, we find the safest solution within that choice.<\/li>\n
- Extraction.<\/strong> The infected front tooth was removed and the area was left to heal.<\/li>\n
- A removable solution<\/strong> was ruled out, because he didn’t want one.<\/li>\n
- The bite<\/strong> limited the options, and he didn’t want to change it.<\/li>\n