Maxillary lateral incisor implants: planning with the aid of orthodontics.

This article has discussed six guidelines for managing adolescent orthodontic patients who are missing their maxillary lateral incisors and will require implants to replace these teeth. The space for the crown and implant, the space between the apices of the roots of the central incisor and canine, the possibility of implant site development, the effect of space opening on the integrity of the adjacent papillae, the impact of altered passive eruption, and the method for determining the age of implant placement have been discussed in detail. The intent of this article has been to emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary decision-making when planning implants in young adolescent patients who are congenitally missing their maxillary lateral incisors.