Management of long-standing edentulous space with dental implants: An interdisciplinary approach

Abstract

Long-standing edentulous cases due to missing permanent mandibular first molars commonly result in mesial tipping and migration of second molars in the edentulous space. In order to place an optimum-sized dental implant and crown for replacement of the missing tooth space regaining by uprighting and distalization of the second molar is essential. Various orthodontic techniques using fully bonded fixed appliances and segmental orthodontics with coil springs, loops, and miniscrew orthodontic implants have been used for space regaining. Obtaining three-dimensional control during tooth movement in segmental orthodontics is challenging as all the forces are applied to the teeth buccally. This case report shows a method to regain space using a long head miniscrew orthodontic implant placed at the retromolar pad area with three-dimensional control during second molar uprighting and distalization followed by restoration with a dental implant.