Provisional restorations for optimizing esthetics in anterior maxillary implants: A case report

Abstract

The use of implants for the restoration of anterior missing teeth has been established and documented during the past years. However, the use of dental implants in the anterior region is a technique-sensitive procedure. The placement of implants in an ideal position is often not possible because of the lack of sufficient bone. The clinical situation can be further complicated if the teeth were lost as a result of trauma and there is possible damage to the surrounding soft and hard tissues. The restoration of lost anterior teeth and maintenance of the surrounding soft tissues with adequate surgical and prosthetic techniques are a real challenge for the clinician. The aim of this article was to report the laboratory and clinical stages in the restoration of anterior maxillary teeth, which were lost as a result of trauma with implant-supported fixed partial denture. In this case, an intraoperative transfer of the impression posts allowed the construction of provisional restorations, which were inserted at implant uncoverage surgery and contributed significantly to the creation of a better emergence profile and to the final esthetic result. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Provisional restorations are an important stage in anterior maxillary implants, allowing guided soft tissue management and creating an esthetic emergence profile. © 2007, Copyright The Authors