title: A new methodological and clinical approach for the treatment of upper lateral incisors agenesis: the posterior  space opening.
abstract: AIM The purpose of this study is to present a new clinical approach for the treatment of upper lateral incisor  agenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new treatment option was conceived and applied: posterior space opening as a  safeguard of occlusal integrity and dental and periodontal aesthetics of the front teeth. This is acheved by means of the  anterior space closure, with the mesialisation of the canines and the bicuspids, combined with a posterior space opening to  create adequate room for the placement of an implant in the second premolar area. The obtained space should be maintained  with a space retainer or a provisional Maryland bridge until the patient is old enough to undergo implant rehabilitation and  the canines must be reshaped into a lateral incisor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this treatment are a correct teeth alignment,  without diastema, Class I occlusion, and occlusal integrity with all natural teeth in the anterior area. In this way there are many  advantages for the patient; so it is an effective approach.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Padua, Italy. lorenzo.favero@unipd.it
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Favero
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pizzo
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Farronato
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Balercia
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Favero
mesh_terms: D000848:Anodontia / Q000628:therapy*; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy*; D008437:Maxilla; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D019516:Orthodontic Space Closure / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013027:Space Maintenance, Orthodontic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods