Solving the Challenge of the Severely Compromised Implant in the Esthetic Zone: An Interdisciplinary Care Case

Considered to be an excellent treatment option for the replacement of lost or missing teeth, dental implants can dramatically improve a patient's quality of life. Patient selection, clinical skill, and maintenance are all factors that can significantly affect outcome. This case report highlights problems encountered in what many would consider to be a straightforward case: extraction of a fractured root, implant placement, and restoration in an otherwise dentally and medically fit and healthy patient. The report exposes some of the issues that could potentially result in what could be deemed an implant catastrophe and then explores possible treatment options to help rectify the failures. Finally, the authors describe the treatment provided--a periodontal-prosthodontic solution--and report on the 4-year post-treatment follow-up.