Background & Symptoms The patient arrived exhausted by daily headaches and chronic muscle tension that radiated from his jaw into his neck and back. He avoided certain foods because chewing hurt, and he rarely slept through the night. Despite having crowns on all upper and lower teeth, his bite had never felt stable. Exam & Diagnosis A comp...
Patient Snapshot Patient: Male, 59 Primary concerns: Loose teeth, painful chewing, declining health History: No dental care for 26 years; elevated blood pressure; limited diet Background & Symptoms The patient’s teeth were so mobile that eating was uncomfortable and inefficient. He avoided nutrient-dense foods and favored soft, processed items....
Patient Snapshot Patient: Male, 30 Primary concerns: Daily headaches, chewing difficulty History: All four upper molars extracted in youth; progressive bite collapse Background & Symptoms Without upper molars, the patient’s bite migrated forward and sideways. He reported jaw fatigue by midday, avoidance of chewy foods, and near-daily temple hea...
Patient Snapshot Patient: Female, 54 Primary concerns: Advanced gum disease, failing upper teeth, low confidence Goal: Fixed teeth—not a removable denture Background & Symptoms The patient felt embarrassed by her smile and struggled with certain textures. She feared her upper teeth might “fall out” at the wrong moment. Exam & Diagnosis Seve...
Patient Snapshot Patient: Female, 41; smoker Concern: Persistent bump on tongue; prior dentist said to “watch it” for six months Background & Red Flags The lesion had not healed and occasionally bled. The patient also noticed a slight change in speech and irritation with spicy foods—classic warning signs that warranted immediate assessment. Exa...
Patient Snapshot Patient: Male, 85; lifelong professional musician (wind instrument) Concern: Severe decay in maxillary anterior teeth; urgent need to preserve embouchure and articulation Background & Performance Requirements For wind and brass players, front-tooth incisal edge position, overjet, and guidance are essential. Even tiny changes can al...
