Pre-prosthetic orthodontic implant site preparation for management of congenitally unerupted lateral incisors - A case report

Congenital unilateral or bilateral absence of the maxillary lateral incisor teeth is one of the main reasons of concern for patients in addition to a challenge confronting the clinicians in terms of early investigations, accurate diagnosis and meticulous treatment planning. With growing patient demands for a functional as well as an esthetic treatment outcome, implant based oral rehabilitation has emerged as one of the most successful and predictable treatment approach in fulfilling both aspects of patient needs, provided the craniofacial growth in patients have ceased completely. An excellent implant site development by the approach of preprosthetic orthodontic treatment will ensure adequate alveolar ridge space availability for the successful execution of fixed prosthetic replacement. The integrated treatment approach towards the management of patients with congenitally unerupted teeth requires an interdisciplinary team involving orthodontist, periodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon and restorative dentists. This case report highlights the preprosthetic orthodontic space preparation and implant based oral rehabilitation of an adult male patient with bilateral congenitally unerupted maxillary lateral incisors.