Use of mini implants to replace a missing tooth in a growing patient: a six-year follow up case report

Loss of anterior permanent teeth can have a detrimental effect on children's quality of life and the therapeutic approaches are always a challenge. From a physiologic and psychological standpoint, the use of dental implants has several advantages in replacing missing teeth. However, several studies have shown that conventional implants are not indicated in patients that are still growing, since they interfere with the sagittal and transversal growth of the maxilla. Recent literature has suggested that Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) can be successfully applied in growing patients, without interfering with the normal craniofacial growth process.

This report describes the replacement of missing teeth in a 10-year-old patient by a mini implant of 1.8 mm diameter. After a six-year follow-up period, the mini implant did not follow the regular growth process of the maxilla, resulting in functional and aesthetic complications. Removal of the mini implant entailed some difficulties.