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Overcoming Years of Dental Avoidance
A Full-Mouth Rehabilitation with Dental Implants
PATIENT PROFILE
| Name | Ms. Shubhadra Sarkar |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | MBA Student |
| City | Bangalore |
| Presenting Complaint | Long-standing, unaddressed dental complications following years of avoiding dental visits due to severe dental anxiety/fear. Patient had never consulted a dentist before this first visit. |
| Diagnosis | The patient presented with multiple dental concerns after several years without professional dental care. Following a comprehensive assessment, a phased treatment plan was developed, including the placement of four dental implants and periodontal involvement. |
| Duration of Issue | Years of untreated dental problems due to dental phobia; complications compounded over time before the first consultation. |
| Previous Treatments | None — this was the patient’s first-ever dental visit of any kind. |
| Treatment Period | Present (ongoing) |
| Outcome | 4 dental implants placed; patient currently in the healing/osseointegration phase, with further treatment planned. |
THE PROBLEM
Clinical Background
The patient presented at Aspire Dental Clinic for her very first dental visit of any kind — a consultation she had avoided for years due to significant apprehension about dental procedures. As is common in cases of long-avoided dental care, the absence of any preventive or corrective treatment over time allowed multiple issues to compound, resulting in a complex case by the time she finally sought help.
Without regular examinations or preventive dental care, her concerns became more extensive over time. By the time she sought professional help, she required a comprehensive assessment and a phased treatment approach.
Why This Case Was Challenging
Beyond the clinical complexity, this case carried a significant behavioural dimension. The patient openly acknowledged being anxious and, by her own account, an uncooperative patient during treatment a common but often under-discussed barrier to dental care. Managing a patient with pronounced dental anxiety through multiple surgical implant placements requires not only clinical skill but sustained patience, clear communication, and a calm chairside manner from the entire team.
Supporting an anxious, first-time dental patient through several appointments and implant procedures required patience, empathy, clear communication and a calm chairside approach from the entire clinical team.
The team followed a patient-centred and phased approach throughout the appointments. The treatment process and upcoming steps were explained to the patient, while the clinical team worked to create a supportive and reassuring environment.
CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT PLAN
Pre-Treatment Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation was conducted by Dr. Darshit Patel, together with Dr. Rashmi (Periodontist), to assess the full extent of the patient’s dental condition and plan a coordinated course of treatment.
The assessment was used to understand the patient’s dental concerns and develop a coordinated treatment plan. The plan accounted for the implant-related, periodontal and ongoing restorative requirements of the case.
Treatment Rationale
Given the scale of the complications, a phased, multi-sitting treatment plan was developed involving both surgical and periodontal input. The plan included:
- Planned approach: A comprehensive dental and periodontal evaluation
- Number of implants placed: 4
- Expected timeline: Multiple sittings over several months, with review and healing phases built in.
The patient was informed of the scope, sequencing, and expected duration of treatment, and gave informed consent before proceeding.
Treatment Details
Step-by-Step Overview
Treatment has, to date, spanned 10 clinical sittings, with further sittings planned as the case progresses.
Implant Placement Sessions
Four dental implants were placed across separate surgical sittings, each surgical procedure lasting approximately 2 hours, performed by Dr. Darshit Patel.
The implant procedures were completed as part of a staged treatment process. The patient described the procedures as smooth and more manageable than she had expected, despite her initial anxiety.
Periodontal Care
Dr. Rashmi (Periodontist) was involved in managing the periodontal aspects of the case alongside the implant treatment.
Her involvement supported the assessment and management of the periodontal aspects of the case as part of the patient’s coordinated treatment plan.
Treatment Summary
| Primary Procedure | Multiple dental implant placements (4 implants) as part of a broader treatment plan |
| Team Involved | Dr. Darshit Patel; Dr. Rashmi (Periodontist); supporting clinical team |
| Number of Sessions | 10 sittings to date, with further sittings planned |
| Surgical Duration | Approximately 2 hours per implant placement session |
| Current Status | Healing / osseointegration phase |
Post-Treatment Results
The patient has completed the surgical phase for all 4 planned implants and is currently in the healing stage, with additional treatment sittings still to come. Despite starting treatment as an anxious, first-time dental patient, she has described the surgical experience as smoother than expected, crediting the clinical team’s approach for this.
At the time of the testimonial, all four dental implants had been placed and the patient was in the healing phase. Additional appointments were still planned as part of her continuing treatment.
Although she began treatment as a highly anxious, first-time dental patient, she reported that the implant procedures were smoother than she had expected. She credited the patience, empathy and clinical approach of the dentists and supporting staff with helping her manage the treatment process.
The next stage of care will depend on clinical evaluation, healing progress and the treatment plan approved by the treating team.
Because treatment is ongoing, the final clinical outcome should be added only after the rehabilitation has been completed and reviewed.
PATIENT FEEDBACK
“It’s been 2 months 2 days since I visited Aspire Dental clinic for the first time. I met Dr. Darshit Patel as a dentist for the first time on that evening. I went with lots of complications as this was my first-ever visit to any dentist so far. I was very skeptical about any dentistry procedures — I always denied going to a dentist, and as a result, complications heaped up. Finally, I had to visit. From 12th January till today I have gone through 10 sittings, with a few more to come. I’ve been through lots of procedures and treatments, and I’m still going through them — 4 implants have already happened, and I am in a healing stage now.
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Dr. Darshit Patel and his team, and to Dr. Rashmi (Periodontist), who showed patience, care, empathy and outstanding skill in handling a difficult patient like me. I was neither a cooperative nor a caring patient at all. My 4 implant surgeries, each almost 2 hours long, were done by Dr. Darshit Patel so wonderfully and smoothly that I could not have imagined it going any better.
All the assisting staff are extremely empathetic and well-behaved. I found the clinic to be very well and modernly equipped — neat, clean, and hygienically well maintained. A patient might find the entrance of the clinic building isn’t so great, but the clinic itself is excellent. I am writing this not to give a review or feedback, but to pour out my gratitude to this clinic and to Dr. Patel.”
Post-Treatment Care and Follow-Up Protocol
Instructions Provided to the Patient
The patient was advised to follow a soft diet around the healing implant sites, maintain gentle but consistent oral hygiene with a soft-bristle brush, avoid smoking and hard/sticky foods during healing, attend all scheduled review sessions, and report any pain, swelling, or discomfort promptly.
Clinical Notes: Treating the Anxious, First-Time Patient
This case highlights how a patient-centred, phased approach can successfully carry an anxious, first-time patient through complex, multi-stage surgical treatment. It also illustrates how avoiding dental care over the years allows minor issues to develop into complications requiring far more extensive treatment than early intervention would have needed.
Follow-Up Timeline
| Sittings 1–10 | Assessment, phased treatment, and placement of 4 implants completed. |
| Current | Healing / osseointegration phase. |
| Next Review | Further treatment and review appointments based on healing and clinical assessment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This case is a direct example of that — years of avoidance had allowed complications to build up, but with a phased treatment plan the patient’s condition was still successfully managed, even after multiple procedures including implant surgery.
Yes. Managing anxious, first-time patients through complex, multi-visit treatment — including surgical procedures — is something the clinical team is experienced in, with an emphasis on patience and clear communication throughout.
It varies by case. This patient’s treatment has spanned 10 sittings so far, covering multiple procedures and implant placements, with further visits planned to complete the treatment.
Implants go through a healing (osseointegration) phase before final restorations such as crowns are fitted.
In cases involving periodontal (gum and bone) considerations, a periodontist works alongside the treating dentist to ensure the supporting structures are healthy before and after implant placement, as was the case here with Dr. Rashmi’s involvement.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes and not for promotional use.
