Tooth loss, especially in anterior region, precipitates psychological distress to the affected individual. Providing an immediate definitive restoration is sometimes not possible and, in some specific clinical situations, a delay of few months may even be desirable before providing a final restoration. Natural tooth pontic is a simple and time-saving alternative for interim rehabilitation in anterior tooth region which restores the esthetics to near normal in a single appointment. This article discusses two cases where it was not possible to place an implant or any other definitive prosthetic restoration in immediate future. Excellent esthetic results were obtained with natural tooth pontic used as an interim restoration in these cases.
The therapeutic goal of implant dentistry is not merely tooth placement but total oral rehabilitation. Implants provide excellent support for fixed appliances, increasing function as compared to conventional dental therapies. For long-term success of the procedure, the biomaterials, the mechanics used, and also the patient's cooperation for maintenance play a key role. The placement of dental implants in the anterior maxilla is a challenge for clinicians because of patients exacting demands and difficult preexisting anatomy. The esthetic restoration of anterior maxillary incisor area is critical to a successful outcome. This case report describes the placement of implant in the anterior maxillary region splinted with endodontically treated adjacent natural teeth and restoration of adjacent teeth to obtain an esthetic smile.
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