Digital workflow for prosthetic management of malpositioned implant in an adolescent patient: A 20-year follow-up

Objective

Dental implants placed in adolescent patients pose a challenge to restore and maintain an esthetic outcome over longer period of follow-up. Maxillomandibular changes throughout adulthood may lead to complications such as implant infraocclusion and interproximal contact loss. This case report describes an alternate prosthetic treatment strategy for maxillary single implant placed in an adolescent patient in the esthetic zone with inappropriate implant axis and screw hole placement.

Clinical considerations

With temporary restorations, the gingiva and soft tissues were shaped to imitate the emerging profile of the contralateral side. A zirconia screw-retained abutment was customized as a copy-mirror from the contralateral prepared tooth to mimic the exact shape and to avoid labiolingual over contour by computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM). The porcelain laminate veneer was bonded to the zirconia abutment. Porcelain adhesive approach was used instead of traditional principles of retention and resistance form of the abutment.

Conclusions

A functional and esthetic outcome was achieved and maintained, while a minimally invasive procedure was implemented to use the malplaced implant instead of explanting it.

Clinical significance

The present report illustrates the prosthetic management of a malpositioned dental implant placed 20 years ago, utilizing a minimally invasive digital protocol.