The Maxillary Lateral Incisor Agenesis: A Case Report and a Literature Review

Abstract

In his daily practice, the orthodontist is regularly asked to treat patients with one or more missing teeth. Considering their functional and esthetic specificities, and the relatively high frequency of agenesis, the Maxillary Lateral Incisor Agenesis (MLIA), either unilateral or bilateral, has recorded prevalence rates varying between 1.9 and 4.9%. The following case-report represents the trouble and treatment management of a 16-years-old female patient with a congenitally missing upper lateral incisor associated to skeletal class III malocclusion. After an interdisciplinary evaluation for the proper treatment plan, whether it should be treated by orthodontic space closure or by space opening and implantation, the treatment option was of an orthodontic space opening. We were thus able to achieve a manageable treatment that best meets the patient's needs.