Management of Missing Premolar in Growing Child: A Case Report

Abstract

Aim and objective: To evaluate a new technique of prosthetic rehabilitation of missing premolars in growing children using mini-implant. Background: Treatment modalities for restoring missing teeth include removable partial dentures and tooth-bonded prostheses. They have the disadvantage of loss of alveolar bony architecture, discomfort, and frequent replacement or modification. The mini-implant mimics the implant in many aspects, and hence, can overcome the above drawbacks. Case description: A 12-year-old male patient had undergone enucleation of a dentigerous cyst involving the mandibular second premolar. A few months after surgery, the patient reported to the department of paediatric and preventive dentistry for the replacement of missing teeth. To prevent loss of alveolar width and length, a mini-implant was inserted and the composite build was done with an incremental technique. Conclusion: Mini-implant could be a better alternative to removable partial dentures and tooth-bonded prostheses. Clinical significance: Considering the various advantages of a mini-implant, it could act as a predecessor for an implant.

Keywords

• case report
• dentigerous cyst
• enucleation
• growing children
• mini-implant