Forced Eruption for Implant Site Development Utilizing a CAD/CAM Provisional Fixed Dental Prosthesis: A Case Report

Preexisting hard and soft tissue defects around hopeless teeth can impede the ideal esthetic and functional outcomes of implant therapy. Orthodontic extrusion has been described as a predictable nonsurgical alternative for vertical hard and soft tissue augmentation, commonly through the use of orthodontic brackets on multiple adjacent teeth. This case report describes an alternative technique via orthodontic extrusion, utilizing a digitally designed and milled fixed provisional restoration. The provisional restoration served as an anchor in the forced eruption of a maxillary lateral incisor for the development of a future implant site. Following forced eruption and a subsequent stabilization period, immediate implant placement was successfully completed with a customized healing abutment to preserve the soft tissue architecture. The use of a fixed provisional restoration as an anchor for orthodontic extrusion allows for predictable implant site development while maintaining favorable esthetics throughout the treatment.