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Managing congenitally missing lateral incisors. Part I: Canine substitution.
Vincent O Kokich1, Greggory A Kinzer
1Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. vkokich@u.washington.edu
Summary
Congenitally missing lateral incisors present treatment challenges. Canine substitution, when appropriate, offers an esthetic and functional solution, requiring interdisciplinary planning for optimal results.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Restorative Dentistry
Background:
- Congenitally missing lateral incisors are common dental anomalies.
- Treatment options include canine substitution, tooth-supported restorations, and single-tooth implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine patient selection for canine substitution.
- To highlight the importance of interdisciplinary treatment planning for missing lateral incisors.
Main Methods:
- Review of treatment options for missing maxillary lateral incisors.
- Focus on canine substitution as a conservative approach.
- Emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration between orthodontists and restorative dentists.
Main Results:
- Canine substitution is often an ideal treatment for missing lateral incisors.
- Successful outcomes depend on careful patient selection and orthodontic positioning.
- Restorative dentistry is crucial for achieving esthetic and functional final results.
Conclusions:
- Interdisciplinary treatment planning is essential for optimal esthetics in cases of missing lateral incisors.
- Canine substitution requires careful evaluation of occlusion, space, and tooth size.
- This article serves as the first in a series on managing congenitally missing lateral incisors.