A single implant with tissue training in the aesthetic zone

This paper presents a case study for replacing a single maxillary central incisor with a single implant, in conjunction with grafting lost hard and soft tissue. Using staged protocols, the maturity and stability of the implant was ensured prior to finalizing the case. In this respect, it was originally planned that a minimum healing period of nine months would be observed, but in fact the patient did not return for one year. Taking time to stage phases of the case and observe any changes provides an opportunity to evaluate each phase before the next step is carried forward. By staging the challenges faced in this case, the author was able to progress to each subsequent step with added assurance. By the time the final restorations were fitted, the graft and tissues were stable. The time involved not only placed biology on the clinician's side, but also helped the patient to spread the cost.

In modern aesthetic dentistry harmonious results can be relatively quickly achieved when the prerequisites for aesthetic success have already been met but, as this case demonstrates, human biology often requires more time and patience for augmented hard and soft tissues to heal and mature.