Implant treatment of two failing or missing central incisors in the aesthetic region: a treatment protocol and 1-year prospective study

Implant treatment for two central incisors in the maxillary aesthetic region is complex due to concerns regarding inter-implant hard and soft tissue stability. A treatment protocol was therefore developed and implemented in a 1-year prospective case series study involving 16 patients with two failing or missing central incisors in the maxillary aesthetic region. The protocol consists of five options depending on whether teeth are still present (options 13) or not (options 4 and 5) and on the amount of bone available at the start of treatment: (1) extraction followed by immediate implant placement and provisionalization, (2) extraction followed by immediate implant placement and delayed provisionalization, (3) extraction followed by ridge preservation, delayed implant placement and immediate provisionalization, (4) delayed implant placement and guided bone regeneration with delayed provisionalization, (5) guided bone regeneration (extensive bone augmentation of the alveolar ridge), delayed implant placement, and delayed provisionalization. The patients were assessed regarding peri-implant hard and soft tissue parameters, aesthetic index score, and patient satisfaction. All treatment options showed good clinical and radiographic results and high patient satisfaction.