Infra- and labio-position of two maxillary central incisor implants in an older adult at a 17-year follow-up

Abstract

Objective This report aims to present an infra- and labio-version of the implants relative to the surrounding teeth in an older patient. Background Infra-positioning of dental implants has been sometimes observed in young adults but not in older patients. Materials and methods Two implants were placed in both central incisor areas in a 63-year-old female patient in 2002. A splinted implant prosthesis was inserted six months later. Results After 17 years, a deviation in the position of the implant crown on the #21 area was 9.94 mm labially and 4.69 mm apically with respect to the adjacent tooth (#22). The corresponding values of the implant crown on the #11 area were 5.96 and 2.34 mm (with respect to #12), respectively. Conclusion Dental implants in older adults might develop horizontal and vertical discrepancies relative to the neighbouring teeth.