Mini-implant Supported Temporary Replacement of Teeth in ChildrenA Case Report

Dental agenesis or hypodontia is a frequent cause of tooth loss in children, most common being the maxillary lateral incisors. The absence of teeth affects aesthetics and results in functional impairment that hampers the psychological development of the young child. Treatment options available for replacement of congenitally missing teeth include fixed and removable dentures, resin-related retention devices, and single-tooth implants. The main deterring factor for implant placement in young children is the impending growth. To overcome this drawback, one can use self-drilling, one-piece orthodontic mini screw implants as a temporary abutment for the replacement of congenitally missing teeth. Mini-implant with temporary crown can serve as a permanent dental restoration for a growing child as the mini-implant is well maintained throughout his/her growth period without significant changes in skeletal morphology. This case report deals with a 12-year-old young girl patient, who has been treated with self-drilling orthodontic mini-implant with a strip crown for her congenitally missing bilateral lateral incisors, without any complications with six months follow-up.