Rehabilitation of an extensive anterior explantation defect--a case report

This article illustrates the surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation of an extensive defect in the area of a mandibular lateral incisor following explantation of a dental implant. Bone and soft tissue defects existed after removal of the implant. Guided bone regeneration, a subepithelial connective tissue graft, and gradual pontic contouring were used to attempt correction of the defect. The missing tooth was replaced by a single-retainer, all-ceramic, resin-bonded fixed partial denture. The gingival contours were reestablished, but without complete regeneration of the interdental papillae. This article describes the use of several regenerative techniques in the treatment of dental defects and underscores the difficulty of complete correction of papilla deficiencies.