Interdisciplinary Approaches to Restoring Single-Tooth Implants in the Esthetic Zone.

Abstract

Objective: To briefly review and summarize significant clinical, functional, esthetic, and periodontal characteristics that are essential to multidisciplinary case analysis and treatment planning for single-tooth replacement in the esthetic zone with an implant-supported prosthesis.

Clinical considerations: A patient's preoperative condition (e.g., bone quality/quantity, gingival biotype, macro-/micro-esthetic features) significantly affects the stability, function, and esthetics of the anticipated implant-supported prostheses and, therefore, must be comprehensively evaluated after acquiring thorough diagnostic data. Understanding the immediate and long-term implications of diagnostic findings before undertaking any procedures enables critical assessment and step-by-step execution of the most appropriate interventions, surgeries, and prosthetic designs for greater esthetic and functional treatment predictability.

Conclusions: Collaborative and interdisciplinary treatment planning among the restorative dentist, implant surgeon, and laboratory ceramist is the foundation for achieving successful outcomes when undertaking a single-tooth replacement with an implant-supported prosthesis in the esthetic zone. It enables the identification and skilled execution of specific procedures, selection and sequencing of dental implant-related surgeries and temporization techniques, and design and delivery of the ideal implant-supported prosthesis to satisfy the patient's and team's treatment objectives.

Clinical significance: Critically informed differential treatment planning through multidisciplinary collaboration enhances treatment predictability, esthetic outcomes, and functional success while simultaneously reducing potential immediate and delayed complications, thereby helping to ensure the feasibility of achieving anticipated results.