What to Do About Congenitally Missing Lateral Incisors

One of the most challenging clinical situations is when an adolescent patient presents with congenitally missing permanent teeth.

The primary considerations for these patients are knowing how much space is required, existing bone volume and the need for further augmentation, how the area should be maintained after orthodontic treatment, esthetics, and growth concerns. Despite our best efforts, we sometimes need help in this subset of patients. Often, these challenges relate to compromised remaining space in the edentulous site. Make sure you talk to your patients and their parents about this early!