Journal of implantology and applied sciences ISSN:2765-7833(Print) 2765-7841(Online) 대한구강악안면임플란트학회지

The conventional prosthetic treatment for restoration of single or two mandibular anterior missing teeth has poor prognosis. The preparation of small adjacent teeth results in pulp exposure, therefore in most case endodontic treatment is inevitable. Simultaneously, the fracture resistance is severely reduced due to small amount of tooth material after the preparation. These are potential detrimental factor for longevity of conventional prosthesis. Especially there is much difficulty in using adjacent teeth as abutment teeth when they are in periodontally involved state. In this case, dentists need to extend the bridge to both canines. To overcome the complications of conventional prosthetic treatment, the prosthesis solely supported by implants is designed and the long term success of this type of prosthesis is reported. Although the recent implant prosthetic treatment is predictable, implant dentists meet the esthetic challenges and difficulty in space distribution for implant location, especially in restoration for one or two mandibular anterior teeth missing. If the adjacent teeth have periodontal disease, the gingival recession in natural teeth may complicate the harmony of cervical area between the implant restorations and natural teeth. In addition, because of natural teeth mobility the implant prosthesis may undertake the overall force during anterior guidance function. This case report presents 4 cases about restoration of mandibular anterior tooth/teeth loss, and discuss the problem, challenge, and the solution of the previously described situation.