[Agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors: orthodontic and implant approach]

Missing maxillary lateral incisors create a major esthetic problem due to their strategic position in the smile. The two treatment approaches commonly taken are creating adequate space to prosthetically replace the missing lateral incisors or closing the spaces and replacing the missing lateral incisors by the canines. This article will discuss indications, advantages, disadvantages and problems encountered in cases of space opening and space closure for missing laterals. The amount of space to be created, the preparation and the timing for implant placement, the bone volume, the implant size and prosthetic considerations will also be discussed. The methods for reshaping canines and building them up to simulate lateral incisors in orthodontic space closure, and positioning the canines and first premolars - so that they resemble to the teeth they are replacing - will be described.