Article:

Achieving optimal esthetic restorative results associated with anterior extraction and tooth replacement continues to be one of the most challenging endeavors in reconstructive cosmetic dentistry. When implant therapy is the treatment of choice, the margin for error is further decreased dramatically and methods to minimize and/or eliminate the potential for failure must be employed. This is especially relevant when the tooth to be extracted is associated with significant hard and soft tissue deficiencies. Assessing the patient's expectations, establishing a thorough diagnosis, and choosing the optimal therapeutic options to sequence and design treatment are key considerations for predictable success. Part 1 of this two-part article describes just such a clinical challenge related to the replacement of a severely compromised central incisor, with special emphasis placed on the utilization of pre-extraction orthodontic therapy to enhance the hard and soft tissue profile of the future implant receptor.