Conservative management of malpositioned maxillary anterior implant. Technique description and case report

This case report presents the conservative management of a malposed implant in the maxillary anterior region caused by craniofacial bone remodeling. The patient expressed dissatisfaction with the position and shade of an implant that was placed almost three decades previously. After evaluating different treatment options, the patient opted to replace the implant prosthesis. The selected treatment consisted of a zirconia crown layered with feldspathic porcelain (including pink porcelain) cemented onto a screw-retained customized zirconia abutment with an angled screw channel for the single-unit permanent fixed implant prosthesis. The report highlights the importance of informed decision making and patient preferences in treatment option selection. It emphasizes the conservative approach of replacing a malposed implant prosthesis with pink porcelain to address the patient's esthetic concerns. Dental photographs and shade-matching protocols were crucial in achieving satisfactory esthetic outcomes. The report also underscores the potential for infraocclusion as well as proclination caused by craniofacial growth in implant therapy, and emphasizes the significance of patient education regarding long-term considerations.