Immediate Implant in Maxillary Central Incisors and Prosthetic Screw Channel: A CBCT Feasibility Study

This study aimed to assess how frequently the maxilla anatomy allows for lingualized immediate implants in the central incisor region with a screw channel that has an ideal distance of 1.5 mm from the incisal margin. The effect of abutments with angle correction on case selection will also be verified. A retrospective cross-sectional study of 181 CBCT scans was carried out. Using an implant-planning software, implant placement was simulated in the lingual aspect of the socket. The location of the prospective screw channel was registered as incisal, lingual, or facial. The angle between the actual screw channel and the position of the ideal one was calculated. The effect of angle correction on allowing an ideal screw channel configuration was computed. Out of 161 eligible cases, 144 presented favorable anatomy for an immediate implant. The screw channel had an incisal position in 40 cases (28%), a lingual position in 60 cases (42%), and a facial position in 44 cases (30%). The screw channel could be placed at the planned distance from the incisal edge in 35 cases (24%). The position was unfavorable in the remaining 109 cases. In 103 of these cases, an abutment with an angled screw channel could make the conditions feasible. Within the simulated conditions, a majority of maxillary central incisors present favorable ridge anatomy for lingualized immediate implant placement. Achieving a proper location of the screw channel requires abutments with angle correction in a majority of cases.