Early Positional Changes and Aesthetic Outcomes of Implant‑Supported Single Crowns in the Anterior Maxilla: A Cohort Study

Single-tooth replacement in the aesthetic zone remains clinically challenging. Implant-supported single crowns (ISSCs) provide predictable long-term outcomes, yet complications such as infraposition, along with time-dependent aesthetic changes, may still occur over time.

To evaluate early infraposition of ISSCs in the anterior maxilla of adult patients and assess aesthetic outcomes.

Twenty-five patients (median age 23 years) with ISSCs were followed for a median of 1.2 years. Positional changes were measured using TRIOS 3 intraoral scanner and TRIOS Patient Monitoring software (3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). Aesthetic outcomes were assessed through Patient-Reported Outcomes and Clinician-Rated Outcomes, focusing on pink and white aesthetics via visual analogue scales. Overall satisfaction was recorded using a four-level ordinal scale.

Median vertical movement of 0.16 mm (IQR = 0.19 mm; range = 0-1 mm; Z = -4.29; p < 0.001) while a median bucco-palatal movement of 0.04 mm (IQR = 0.15 mm; range = -0.10-0.68 mm; Z = -2.44; p = 0.015) was found. Patients consistently rated aesthetic outcomes higher than clinicians, with statistically significant differences across all parameters and time points.

ISSCs in the anterior maxilla exhibited small but statistically significant positional changes within 1 year after crown delivery. Patients rated the aesthetic outcome more favorably than clinicians. The clinical significance of these early changes remains uncertain and warrants further longitudinal investigation.

Not applicable due to observational study design.