A 10-Year Cone Beam Computerized Tomography Observation of the Buccal Bony Wall of an Immediately Placed Implant at the Anterior Maxilla: A Case Report
Since the introduction of immediate implant placements, the buccal bony wall has been a major consideration for success due to its correlation with soft tissue contour and color. This report presents the stability of the buccal wall thickness of an immediately placed implant at the anterior maxilla over 10 years. Although the width of the buccal wall decreased at the 2-year post-op follow-up, it remained stable afterward according to cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scans. Hence, this report suggests that ensuring adequate bony wall thickness with bone augmentation and fixture position may promise the longevity of the buccal bony wall and surrounding soft tissue in an immediate implant placement.
Figure 1. (a) A clinical photograph showing a fracture of the left central incisor. (b) A cone beam computerized tomography image showing a thin buccal plate and the lingual margin of the fracture extended to the palatal bone crest. Figure 2. (a) Vertical positioning of the implant fixture (Straumann tapered effect). The fixture platfrom was placed 2 mm apical to the adjacent teeth. (b) Application of a guided bone regeneration procedure with a resorbable collagen barrier membrane and an alloplastic β-tricalcium phosphate.
Change of the buccal bony wall showing a stabilized width after 2 years post-op. (a) Immediate post-op. (b) 2 years post-op. (c) 4 years post-op. (d) 10 years post-op.
A clinical photograph with final prosthesis. (a) 4 years post-op. (b) 10 years post-op. (c) A well-maintained buccal prominence of the alveolar bone at the implant area.
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