Clinical management of the congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor and mandibular second premolar: a clinical...

The decision to close maintain, or open space at the agenesis sites of the maxillary lateral incisor and mandibular second premolar is generally based on several factors, including the class of malocclusion, skeletal pattern (divergence), esthetics, function, and periodontics. Replacement of congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors, the second most commonly missing teeth, can involve (1) canine replacement, (2) tooth-supported restoration, and (3) implants. This paper contrary to the opinion of other authors, favors replacement of the congenitally missing lateral incisors in one of several ways, versus orthodontic space closure.