Mini-screw implant-supported pontics for the transitional management of missing permanent maxillary lateral incisors in children and adolescents: a review of currently available evidence.

AIM

To review currently available evidence regarding the use of mini-screw implant (MSI)-supported pontics for the transitional management of missing permanent maxillary lateral incisors in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Indexed databases were searched until October 2019. The following inclusion criteria were imposed: (a) children and adolescents with missing permanent maxillary lateral incisor/s; (b) temporary replacement of missing permanent maxillary lateral incisors with MSI-supported pontics; (c) clinical and radiographic assessment of the outcome [MSI stability and/or alveolar bone (ALB) development]; and (d) follow-up after pontic placement. Commentaries, letters to the Editor, reviews, and studies in adult patients and/or patients with systemic/genetic diseases, with no follow-up, and without clinical and radiographic assessment of the outcome were excluded.

RESULTS

Six out of 225 initially-identified studies were included. All studies were case-reports/series. A variability was observed among studies-assessed regarding the treatment protocol such as in the MSI dimensions, loading time and pontic retention protocol. Results from the included studies indicate that the MSI-supported pontics remained stable, with no infraocclusion and angular bony defect formation, ALB levels and bone density were maintained, and there was vertical ALB development during the follow-up period which ranged up to 99 months. Reported complications included MSI loss due to mobility, crown repair/replacement due to discoloration, and gingival impingement.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited evidence shows that MSI-supported pontics are useful transitional restorations for missing permanent maxillary lateral incisors in children and adolescents; however, further well-designed clinical trials are needed in this regard.