Replacement of Missing Maxillary Central Incisor with an Osseointegrated Implant-supported Prosthesis from an Orthodontic Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Over the last few decades, dentistry has brought in many new modalities of treatment for replacement of missing teeth. Treatment modalities for patients with missing teeth usually involve either space reopening and replacement or closure of the resultant space. The traditional option of using three-unit bridges for replacement of a single tooth involves loss of healthy tooth structure of two adjacent teeth and is a very aggressive treatment option. Osseointegrated implants have proven successful conservative alternatives to bridges for replacement of missing teeth without any loss of tooth structure. Optimal results can be achieved when an implant is placed between two natural teeth with healthy periodontium. This case report presents the management of a patient with missing maxillary right central incisor for whom the treatment of choice was placement of an osseointegrated implant supported prosthesis after regaining space to achieve a desirable esthetic result.