Dental Implants for Congenitally Missing Adult Teeth
This 24-year-old patient attended our practice with concerns about the two upper teeth beside the front teeth. These lateral incisors are retained deciduous, or baby, teeth that have remained in place for many years. The patient reported knowing they would eventually need replacement, and the teeth are now mobile and close to falling out.
Creating a Personalised Treatment Plan
The patient wanted a solution that looks natural, feels secure and blends seamlessly with the rest of their smile. After a comprehensive consultation and clinical assessment, we discussed suitable treatment options and created a personalised treatment plan.
As every patient has different needs, we consider oral health, smile goals and long-term function throughout the planning process.
Beginning with Teeth Whitening
Treatment began with teeth whitening to brighten the surrounding natural teeth and help achieve the patient’s preferred shade. Completing whitening first allows the final restorations to be matched more accurately to the updated tooth colour.
Replacing the Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
Once teeth whitening was completed, we placed two dental implants to replace the lateral incisors. Following an appropriate healing period, we fit custom porcelain crowns to the dental implants.
We carefully considered the shape, shade and proportions of the crowns so they complemented the surrounding teeth and appeared as natural as possible.
A Natural-Looking Outcome
The completed treatment aims to provide the patient with a stable and aesthetic replacement for the retained baby teeth. The aim is for the restorations to integrate so naturally that they are difficult to distinguish from the patient’s own teeth.
The patient reported being very pleased with the final result.
Important Considerations
As with all dental procedures, suitability for implants depends on individual factors such as oral health, bone support and overall treatment goals. A thorough consultation is required to determine the most appropriate treatment options for each person.
