title: Interdisciplinary rehabilitation of a root-fractured maxillary central incisor: A 12-year follow-up case report.
abstract: Single-tooth implantation has become a common treatment solution for replacement of a root-fractured maxillary incisor in adults, but the long-term esthetic results can be unfavorable due to progressive marginal bone loss, resulting in gingival recession. In this case report, a maxillary central incisor with a root fracture in its apical one-third was orthodontically extruded and extracted in a 21-year-old female. Implant surgery was performed after a 3-month healing period, and the final crown was placed about 12 months after extraction. After 12 years, favorable osseous and gingival architectures were visible with adequate bone height and thickness at the buccal cortical plate, and no gingival recession was seen around the implant-supported crown. Although modern dentistry has been shifting toward simplified, clinical procedures and shorter treatment times, both general dentists and orthodontists should be aware of the possible long-term esthetic advantages of orthodontic extrusion of hopelessly fractured teeth for highly esthetically demanding areas and should educate and motivate patients regarding the choice of this treatment solution, if necessary.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Orthodontics, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri Bonetti
authors.affiliation: Unit of Orthodontics, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Incerti Parenti
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Faenza (Ravenna), Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciocci
authors.affiliation: Unit of Periodontology, DIBINEM, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Checchi
keywords: Interdisciplinary treatment; Orthodontic extrusion; Root fracture; Single-tooth implants