[Missing maxillary: comprehensive orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment canines with endosseous implants]

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Impacted maxillary canines affect 3.3% of the population, presenting significant esthetic issues.
• Causes are varied, leading to unilateral or bilateral, palatal or labial impaction.
• Missing canines pose a primary esthetic concern in dental reconstruction.

Observation:

• A case study involved a young female with bilateral impacted maxillary canines and retained deciduous teeth.
• Orthodontic evaluation determined that forced eruption of the impacted canines was not a viable option.
• The treatment plan included surgical extraction of the impacted teeth and prosthetic reconstruction using endosseous implants.

Findings:

• Immediate functional and esthetic results were highly satisfactory.
• Prosthetic crowns cemented on the day of implantation provided soft tissue support, preventing contour changes.
• The implant-supported reconstruction eliminated the need for removable partial dentures, enhancing patient comfort.

Implications:

• Missing permanent canines create a significant esthetic defect requiring reconstructive solutions.
• Surgical extraction followed by prosthetic replacement with endosseous implants is a viable alternative when forced eruption is impossible.
• Successful esthetic outcomes necessitate close collaboration between orthodontists and implant prosthodontists.