Immediate implantation following palatally impacted canine extraction

Introduction: The management of impacted maxillary canines poses a significant challenge in diagnosis and treatment, often leading to lengthy and complex procedures. Historically, extraction followed by orthodontic alignment or prosthetic rehabilitation has been the go-to solution. However, the advent of dental implantology has opened up new avenues for immediate implantation in severely impacted or non-restorable canine sites.
Case description: A 31-year-old patient presented with a mobile deciduous canine and horizontally impacted upper right permanent canine, seeking a solution to maintain a fixed tooth without any period of edentulism. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted, involving the extraction of the lacteal canine, surgical removal of the impacted canine, immediate implant placement of a tapered dental implant followed by non-functional loading with a temporary crown to augment primary stability.
Discussion: The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of achieving primary stability in a reduced amount of bone through under-preparation of the osteotomy site. In a case where bone availability was limited, all visible palatal implant threads were grafted to enhance retention and fill the bone defect. The definitive prosthetic restoration was placed after 3 months. Digital periapical radiographs 9 months later, demonstrated peri-implant bone loss of 0.62 mm.
Conclusion/clinical significance: Immediate implantation in the impacted maxillary canine post-extraction site presents a promising approach to streamline treatment and optimize both functional and aesthetic outcomes. The technique may offer a viable alternative to traditional treatment methods,
reducing the need for multiple interventions and improving patient satisfaction.
Key Words: dental implant, impacted canine, extraction, immediate implantation.